15 Powerful Self Reflection Questions

An emotional rollercoaster

For many of us, the early days of lockdown induced a sense of determination, resilience, courage and camaraderie as we faced up to what seemed to be a novel threat to our very existence.

As our sources of news became laser focused on the grim and rapidly growing statistics relating to the spread and effect of the virus, and pictures of people in masks and other protective gear dominated the visuals, we became more concerned, alarmed and fearful.

Then, as the economic impact of the lockdown started to become clearer, with entire livelihoods negatively impacted, emotions turned to despondency and even despair, as the pandemic and associated gloom and doom continued to dominate almost every major news feed.

With the lockdown wearing on – and the novelty factor wearing off – many began to question whether the health threat from the virus could really justify the severe economic impact caused by draconian restrictions on business and civil liberties. A sense of powerlessness, frustration and resentment towards the authorities, began to emerge.

Today, with a phased retraction of the lockdown in progress, and the end of the beginning of this seemingly surreal chapter of our lives in sight, many of us have become intensely contemplative as we recognise just how easily and quickly that which we have come to regard as ‘normal life’ can be badly disrupted.

The opportunity

I’ve written many times in the past few blog posts that it is important to recognise, in the disruptive power of this pandemic, the opportunity presented for personal self reflection. Self reflection is a vital part of personal development and growing self awareness, and forms an integral part of the New Insights life coach training programme.

Self Reflection Questions

So here, in no particular order, are a selection of my favourite self reflection questions.

I offer these to you for your serious introspection and the hope that you will challenge yourself to come forward with honest answers.

Investing in a period of deep and authentic self reflection will help you prepare – and perhaps even reshape your life – for a better post-pandemic future:

1. What are the three most powerful experiences I have had in my life?
What did they teach me and how have they equipped me for the future?

2. What do I most want to experience in life?
What do I dream about and how well do my current actions and self talk prepare me for this?

3. What is it that makes me feel most alive?
When am I at my best? What am I doing, how am I doing it and who am I doing it with?

4. What do I love most about life?
What is it that is truly special to me? What do I really savour about my physical existence?

5. When in life was I at my happiest?
What period in my life would I describe as the most joyful and why?

6. What is currently my most important legacy?
In what way, no matter how big or small, is the world better for my time here?

7. What is my greatest ambition?
What do I most desire to achieve in this life?

8. What, if anything is holding me back?
What stands in my way of being, doing and having what I desire from life?

9. What is my gift?
What unique talent or ability do I possess?

10. How am I using my gift?
In what ways and how effectively am I using my special talent or ability?

11. What do I most fear?
What real or imaginary threat most sucks my energy and stunts my growth?

12. What am I most grateful for?
What are the things and who are the people that I feel the most gratitude towards and why?

13. What am I most resentful of?
What am I harbouring within that drags me down and prevents me living to the full?

14. What is the biggest influence on me?
Do I give priority to what others say and think about me or to what my inner being or intuition tells me?

15. What will it take for me to live life to the full?
Everyone dies, but not everyone truly lives. What can I do to ensure I truly live from hereon out.