As I build my career as a life and career coach, I take opportunities to attend workshops, webinars, and panel discussions. It seems, more than ever, I am meeting with artists and women embarking on entrepreneurship, re-designing their lives, and taking big risks towards success and fulfillment. I am inspired. Many of these workshops are motivating, but can also leave you feeling excited, overwhelmed, and unsure of where to begin.

Sometimes there is so much going on in our minds or so many people chattering with their own ideas and possibilities, we need to stop the chatter and bring the focus back to ourselves, to a quiet place. Begin wide and bring the lens to a focus on you.

Here is a place to start. Brew a cup of tea or get a glass of your favorite wine, with pen and paper ponder the following questions, and then share your thoughts with a trusted partner, friend, or coach. Write a paragraph, two, or more when answering each question.

1. Who Am I? Describe where you are in your life, your marital status, how you feel about your life, your fears, how you see yourself, etc.
2. What is your goal or intention in life?
3. What are your skills, talents, and experiences? Note the things you love to do. What do you show great skill in or the best at? Maybe, make a list of all the jobs you’ve had in your life, paid and unpaid, jobs you’ve volunteered for, jobs as a teenager, etc.
4. Where is My Focus Today? Are you working on a goal or a five-year plan? Advancing in your career? Transitioning to another career? Do you have a plan or strategy? Is your focus on your family or a relationship?
5. How Do I Get There? Start with the thing that you are now focused on; maybe it’s a career change, an idea for a new business, or a family issue. Create a step-by-step strategy or map for what you need, to get started, advance, or make a change.
6. Be Still and Listen. Meditate on your thoughts and all that you have written. Be still and allow your inner voice to speak to you, to advise you, to give clarity to your earlier thoughts, and to enlighten.
7. Ask and It Shall Be Answered. Do you have any questions or doubts that are still lingering? Ask them and write them down. An answer will come soon after.

When you are ready, share this with a trusted friend or partner. Ask them your questions and you will come to an answer and plan for advancement.

If you find this helpful, have questions, or comments, contact Sandra A. Daley at info@sandradaley.com or visit her at http://www.sandradaley.com. If you liked this article, you may enjoy “Friendship”

Questions focus our thinking. Ask empowering questions like: What's good about this? What's not perfect about it yet? What am I going to do next time? How can I do this and have fun doing it? Charles Connolly