7 Key Questions To Ask When Renewing Yourself.

We live in a world where things seem to be moving at an increasing rate. Where it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day flurry of activity and lose sight of the bigger picture. That's why it's important to stop what you are doing and take time out for self-reflection. But self-reflection is more than just thinking about your day; it's a deliberate process of introspection that can help you learn and grow.
 
Are you wondering where to start? Here are seven key questions you can ask yourself to get the most out of your self-reflection:
 
1.  What were my predominant thoughts for today? 

A large portion of our daily lives is spent on autopilot, going through the motions without really thinking about them. They become automatic habits. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Habits can help us to be more efficient and productive. However, it's important to take a step back occasionally and reflect on our thoughts and actions.
 
Your predominant thoughts are the ideas, beliefs, and mental images that you focus on most frequently and that have significant influence on your behavior and attitude.  These thoughts can be positive or negative. If your thoughts are predominantly negative, it may mean a sign to make some changes in your life. Conversely if your thoughts are primarily positive, it is a strong indication that you are on the right track.
 
Your thoughts can relate to any aspect of your life, for example your work, relationships, health, or personal goals. Your predominant thoughts can shape your world view and outlook on life as well as having a profound impact on how you feel and behave. It’s important to be aware and to question your predominant thoughts and to cultivate positive and supportive ones as they can have a huge impact on the way you conduct yourself. Taking time to question your thoughts is an important part of self-renewal.
 
2. What emotions did I feel today and why? 

It's important to be aware of your emotions and what triggers them. This helps you get a grasp on issues in your life that need to be addressed. Also, by understanding your emotions, you can learn to control them better.
 
For example, if find yourself snapping at people for no particular reason or avoiding social situations, it  may be sign that you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious.  Or, if you notice that you get sad when you think about your future, you can try to focus on the present moment.
 
There are several things you can do to help you evaluate your daily emotions.
 

• Keep a journal: By writing down your emotions as they occur, or upon reflection, can help you understand them and give you insight in your day-to-day emotional triggers.
• Practice mindfulness: Keeping in the moment and being aware of your emotions as they arise can help you become more attuned to your feelings.
• Track your emotions with an app: One of the neat things about tracking your emotions with an app is that you can over time see patterns and trends.
• Talk to a therapist: A mental health professional can help you identify and understand your emotions and give you support and guidance in managing them.

 
3. What were my high-points and low-points during the day? 

At the end of each day, it can be helpful to reflect on what went well and what could have gone better. Asking yourself "What were my highlights and lowlights from today?" is a simple way to start this process. Taking a few moments to think about the positive and negative aspects of your day can help you to appreciate your accomplishments and learn from your mistakes.
 
It can also provide invaluable insights into your own behavior and attitudes. For instance,
 

• It can identify triggers as to what may be causing the highs and lows allowing you to identify patterns and common themes. This can help you identify and understand the causes for your highs and lows.
• It can give insight into your coping strategies and whether they are helpful or unhelpful to you.

 
Over time, this simple reflection exercise can help you to become more self-aware and intentional in your actions. In short, taking a few minutes at the end of each day to ask yourself "What were my highlights and lowlights from today?" is an effective way to boost your self-renewal.
 
Remember, it is normal to have ups and downs so it is important to be kind to yourself and to practice self-care when you are in a funk.
 
4. How did I react to different situations today? Why? 

How we react to different situations reveals a lot about ourselves. It can be easy to act impulsively when we're angry or upset, but the true test of our character is how we react when we're faced with difficult challenges. Asking ourselves how we reacted to different situations can help us to identify areas where we need to improve. Here are a three suggestions to review:
 

• See a particular situation from a different perspective. Is there something you should be considering? Are there other ways to interpret what is happening?
• Consider your options. What are the different ways you could have responded to the situation? Which one would you consider to be the best solution to the issue?
• If the situation involves other people, try to be honest and open with them. This can help you and them understand each other’s perspective and come to a breakthrough solution.

 
It can also help us to see the times when we've handled difficult situations with grace and strength. When we take the time to reflect on our reactions, we can learn from our mistakes and become better people. It is also important to take care of yourself and not rush through things in order to get to the finish line.
 
5. What could I have done differently today? 

Everyone makes mistakes, but the key is to learn from them so that you don't make the same mistake twice. Asking yourself this question each evening will help you reflect on your day and identify any areas where you could improve or make necessary changes.
 
It is important to remember that people react to different situations in several different ways and there is no one way to answer this question. People reactions are influenced by a variety of factors such as their personality, past experiences, cultural background, and current emotional state.
 
You may react to a situation with strong emotions, while others may remain calm and steady. For instance you may react to a situation with compassion and kindness while someone else may react to the same situation with anger or aggression. It is important to keep in mind that everyone is different but it is equally important to reflect on your own actions so that you can learn and grow as a person.
 
6. Am I living my best life? 

This question allows you to ponder your level of fulfillment and personal life satisfaction. This is an important consideration when considering the need for self-renewal and in which specific areas that should be applied. Here are a four suggestions to start your reflection:
 

• Do I set purposeful goals and break them down into achievable steps and take action to achieving them?
• Do I cultivate positive relationships by surrounding myself with supportive and encouraging people?
• Am I engaged in work that is fulfilling and meaningful to me?
• Do I give back to others and make a positive impact on my community?
  
  

It is important to remember that living your best is a journey, and it may involve trial and error, learning and growing, and making adjustments along the way. The important aspect is to be true to yourself and to keep your eye on what brings you joy and fulfillment.
 
7.  Are my needs being met? 

​This is a great question to ask yourself. The regular evaluation of needs is critical to living a good life and supporting your wellbeing. It is also important to remember that as life goes on our needs can change many times, and this is the perfect reason to engage in self-renewal activities because as your needs change you should change with them in order to meet a new standard.
 
Here are five things to consider:
 

• What does your diet look like? And what can you do about it?
• What is your sleep pattern? What can you do about it?
• Are you physically active? What can you do about it?
• How do you manage your stress? If it isn’t a healthy way,  why isn’t it? How can you better cope with stress?
• How is your physical health? Is it time for a check-up?

 
Remember taking care of yourself is not a selfish act. It is an important aspect towards being there for others when they need you. The point is unless you take care of yourself you cannot take care of others.
 
I hope these reflective suggestions help you in your quest to renew yourself. Keep on becoming the best you can be and check out the resources in the StoreFront.
 
Richard
Richard Fontanie

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