The Starting Point: The Four Key Questions to Define Objectives

Blank Canvas Vertigo: The Obstacle of Getting Started

The act of setting life goals can be, for many, a source of paralysis.

We are faced with a blank canvas "our own life" and the myriad possibilities, instead of inspiring us, overwhelm us.

The biggest obstacle is not lack of desire, but not knowing where to start.

This uncertainty leads us to postpone the task of defining our course, leaving us adrift, reacting to circumstances instead of creating them.

The solution to this blockage is not to look for a magical and immediate answer, but to start with a process of introspection guided by the right questions.

Before we can draw a map, we need a compass to guide us.

This process of self-questioning is the real starting point, an exercise that transforms the overwhelming task of "defining my life" into a manageable and revealing personal exploration.

It is the first step from being a passenger to being the pilot of our own journey.

First and Second Question: The Direction and Actions

The journey of self-discovery begins with two fundamental questions that set the overall framework. The first is, "Where do you want to go?"

This question invites us to take a panoramic view, to think about the long-term destination. It's not about details, but about the general direction.

Do you envision a life of tranquility in the countryside, a vibrant career in a big city, or a nomadic existence exploring the world? Defining this direction is essential for our actions to have a coherent purpose.

Once we have an idea of the destination, the second question helps us to concretize the path: "What do you want to do?".

This question translates the abstract vision into tangible actions and experiences.

If your destination is a life of greater well-being, "What do you want to do?" might be "learn to meditate," "run a marathon," or "grow my own vegetable garden."

These actions are the vehicles that will take us toward the destination we have envisioned.

Answering these two questions together provides us with an initial draft of our life plan, combining the long-term vision with the practical steps necessary to start moving in that direction.

Question Three: The Emotional Component of Success

A plan based solely on actions may be effective, but it lacks soul.

That's why the third question is crucial to ensuring that our goals are aligned with our deepest well-being: "How do you want to feel?"

This questioning adds an indispensable emotional layer to the process.

It matters not only what we do, but how we feel while doing it and what emotional state we seek as an end result.

You may have the goal of "being a company director," but if the feeling you seek is "peace and balance," and the path to that goal is filled with stress and anxiety, there is a clear disconnect.

By defining the desired feelings "be it calm, energy, connection, freedom or security," we ensure that our goals are not only external achievements, but also vehicles for our internal well-being.

This question acts as a quality filter, ensuring that the path and destination are emotionally sustainable and truly rewarding.

The Fundamental Question: The Purpose that Underpins the Effort

Finally, we come to the most important question, the one that provides the fuel for the entire journey, "Why do you want these things?" This is the purpose question.

You may want a promotion to feel secure, but why is security important to you? Maybe it's so you can provide for your family.

You may want to travel to feel free, but why do you value freedom? Maybe it's because it allows you to connect with your authentic side.

Answering the "why" is what makes the difference between a fleeting desire and a goal worth striving for.

It is the anchor that keeps us steady when obstacles arise and motivation wanes.

This is the real breakthrough in goal setting.

When our goals are connected to our deepest "why," they are not simply tasks on a list; they become the manifestation of our own life, giving us the strength and resilience to turn dreams into reality.

Summary

The act of setting life goals can paralyze us by the myriad possibilities. The solution is not to find an immediate answer, but to begin with a process of introspection guided by the right questions to guide us.

The first two questions are "Where do you want to go?" (the general direction) and "What do you want to do?" (the concrete actions). These help us combine a long-term vision with the practical steps needed to start moving.

The third question, "How do you want to feel?" adds an indispensable emotional layer. It ensures that our goals are not only external achievements, but also vehicles for our internal well-being, ensuring that the journey is sustainable and rewarding.