We are all such unique little humans, and what moves the needle for each of us toward greatness is different for everyone.
If you’ve been on a path of self growth for a while now, you’ve probably learned lots of tools and gained many resources along the way.
What I’m about to share with you can take things to the next level and I’ve seen it tremendously impact the lives of some of my clients.
It comes from Preston Smiles, one of my favorite life coaches in the whole world, and it will illuminate many of the blindspots you’ve been missing.
As much as we can deep dive into our mindsets and patterns by ourselves, it REALLY helps to ask people you trust what they’ve observed about you.
The operative phrase there is “people you trust” since this tool works best in an extremely safe environment.
Preston put together a kind of survey we can take to the people who know and love us the most.
These are the questions:
- “How would you describe me in three words?”
- “What are three of my strengths?”
- “What are three areas I could improve on?”
- “What three things do you love about how I am with you and our relationship?”
- “What could I be better at and improve on?”
- “What are my ineffective patterns that I may not be aware of?”
- “What’s the single biggest thing holding me back from my greatness?”
If you’re ready for the answers to these questions from loved ones around you, start by making a list of whose opinions and observations you respect.
Come up with at least three people (since you’ll want to compare and contrast answers) and then find a time to share these questions with them, making sure to give yourself and the other person plenty of time for discussion.
Preston suggests setting the stage by letting the person know you’re entering a new phase of growth in your life and that you’d like to learn what things you’re doing right as well as areas you can improve on.
Let them know you’re looking for total honesty here and that you need to be able to count on them for transparency here.
Before you begin, make a pact with yourself to only reply with “Thank you!” in response to the answers to these questions.
This is very important since the last thing we want is someone tiptoeing on eggshells so they don’t hurt our feelings!
Now, if the thought of having these transparent discussions about how you’re being perceived scares the bejesus out of you, you’re not alone!
Try to be honest with yourself first about whether or not you’re ready for this step toward your potential.
If you find you’re not, just periodically check in with yourself until you are.
And if you are ready now, jump in with abandon and try to get as much juice out of this squeeze as you can!
As long as this exchange is done with love and transparency, it is quite likely to bring some things to the surface you had never considered before.
I suggest taking notes or even recording the conversation (with the other person’s permission, of course!) so you can spend some time with these nuggets of gold and decide how you want to use the information you’re given.
A great rule of thumb is to take what you need and leave what you don’t.
Here’s to maximizing your potential so you can step into the highest version of who you are!
