One of my favorite questions to ask coaching and mentorship clients is, “What message does your future self have for you?” This question in itself can be life-changing. Asking questions like this can help guide us and connect us to our true selves.
If you were to take a mental field trip and visit your future self, the one who’s no longer struggling with the situation that is currently causing you the most stress, what advice would he or she give you?
In the spirit of Mental Health Awareness month, I would love to help support you and your inner world. I created a list of key questions our future selves might ask us to help us refocus and align ourselves back to fulfillment and love.
1. Are you giving more faith to fear or love?
Leaning into love is the fastest way to feel better and free ourselves from the prison of fear. Recognize that fear is a manifestation of insecurity and worry. When we are in fear we often make choices out of alignment. With the current state of the world in chaos and confusion, many people seem to be making choices from fear, as it becomes easier to lean into what we know, worry. But this is your invitation to choose God’s love, rise up into peace, with the power of love inside of you. Having faith in love and trusting the gentle, kind voice within yourself is a powerful way to push past fear. Instead of listening to the worry, transform it with your commitment to love.
2. Are you settling?
Look at every area of your life — your relationships, your career, your financial situation, your health, your environment — and identify any areas where you’re settling. Your future self wants you to take action today to disrupt the habit of settling. You deserve better for yourself, and you need to trust the big picture.
3. Are you listening to your body?
Your body is the greatest tool for assessing your inner happiness and health. If you bulldoze over your feelings, you could miss the opportunity for grace and authentic happiness. Your body will tell you when you’re hungry or tired, and when it’s time to relax or else get out and move and sweat. Learning to listen to your beautiful body and accept it for its uniqueness will help you feel more peace.
4. Are you your own best friend?
Listening to the advice of others and ignoring your own inner guidance can keep you feeling stuck in life. Learn to trust your heart and become your own best friend.
5. Are you accepting others, including yourself, for who they are — not who you want them to be?
Many of us try to change people or to change things in the world that don’t fit or make sense to us. Especially these days, I see so many people trying to push their beliefs and concerns onto others. Instead of spending so much time focusing on what isn’t working, or what others are doing, or not doing, turn inward and ask how you can improve yourself?
How can I focus on bringing more love and joy to my life today?
Are you being kind and compassionate to your own self? Be gentle with this process; accepting people for who they are will help you achieve lasting inner peace.
6. Are you enjoying the journey and releasing your expectations of the destination?
The magic is in this moment; let your goals drive you, but do not let them define you. The journey is where the fun is, so give yourself time to be present in this moment because this moment is all we will ever have.
Ready to take this practice deeper? Download this FREE guide of “100 Questions to Transform Your Life.”
I’d love to hear from you in the comments, what message does your future self have for you?
Photo JoelValve @joelvalve
