13 Questions That Eliminate Clutter and Create Clarity
New Year’s is just another day with a sunrise and sunset.
The way we think about New Year’s is what makes it different.
New Year’s is a finish and starting line all at once. You reflect on life, release disappointments, and embrace aspirations.
New Year’s isn’t effective because it’s only once a year.
Remarkable success requires starting again, again.
Uncluttered leadership:
Practice New Year’s everyday.
Establish a structured time to process your day, everyday. The operative word is “structured.” Don’t just randomly mull over things.
Establish a system that allows you to cross a line – everyday – where you reflect, let go, and start again.
Unexamined life collects clutter. Baggage expands. Confusion prevails.
13 questions that eliminate clutter and create clarity:
- How did my life reflect what’s important to me?
- What distracted me from things that matter most?
- What did I try to accomplish today?
- What actually got accomplished?
- What am I proud of?
- What did I learn about myself and others?
- How did I bring out the best in others?
- Who did I affirm, reward, honor, or recognize?
- What did I do to sabotage my fulfillment, progress, or success?
- What will I NOT do tomorrow?
- What behavior would I like to see more of, in myself?
- What will I let go?
- How will I start fresh with people and projects, tomorrow?
Celebrate New Year’s everyday – reflect, release, and start again. Processing your day, everyday.
Uncluttered leaders enjoy clarity, energy, optimism, and progress.
What questions for reflection would you add?
Thirteen questions is way too many. Which three reflection-questions seem most useful to you?
Numbers 1, 2 and 10
Thanks Bruce. #1 is my personal favorite.
3,4,8 – and 13 keeps the wheels turning
Three most meaningful questions: 6, 8 & 13. I would add this one, How did I incorporate, honor and celebrate the most important things I learned this past year?
If 13 is too many, and 3 is just right, just ask, “Why?”, three times. It should get you closer to a foundational rationale for personal and professional drivers.
Thanks Lou. Simple works for me.
This is a terrific paradigm, Dan. It facilitates clarity for both the individual as well as the interpersonal aspects. Thanks and Happy New Year.
Thanks Steven. Happy New Year to you too.
Dan,
They are all good questions some deeper than others!
I like #1 as well.
Cheers!
Happy New year!
Thanks Tim. Happy New Year!
I think #4 really hits home. Every day starts with a great ambition and what really matters is what you ACTUALLY achieve. I enjoyed this list and will be using it for sure.
Thanks Steve. It’s so easy to get distracted and lose track of getting the important stuff done. Best wishes.
Another good one, reflection of your own behaviour rather than blame will always have you winning in the end, trust me on this one, lol……..
Thanks Stephen. I trust you. 🙂
I really like this concept. As I was preparing my “New Year’s Post” myself, I noticed that I fell well short of anything remarkable this year. My thought was that I had more “opportunity” for improvement this coming year knowing that last year is gone. If we treat every day like it is fresh, then we can stay in the positive while learning from the negatives.
I hope you have a prosperous new year.
I like the concept too. I have a similar idea and I am going to journal my answers and thoughts.
Happy New Year Bob and best for the journey.
Thanks James. I’m with you. I usually feel that I’ve fallen short. The great thing about New Years is it feels like a chance to start again. Here’s to living “new Year’s” more frequently and starting fresh more often. 🙂
Each number is important. They help one to reflect and ponder. But it should not stop here. Such things must be done frequently so that the Year ahead is fruitful.
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EACH AND EVERY ONE AND SPECIAL THANKS TO DAN FOR GIVING OUT SUCH GEMS CONSTANTLY.
Thanks P G. Your kind words encourage me. Happy New Year!
The three “How” questions (1, 7, 13) are the most significant to me! Thanks Dan
Thanks Rodney. I’m all for How and What questions. Happy New Year
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks findiagroup.
1, 6 & 8
Thanks Dick. Best for the journey.
5, 7, 11. Hard to pick, though. Hell of a good list
Thanks Mitch. Nothing like a good slang. Happy New Year
Love this…thanks for the post….very inspiring!!!
I am partial to #1, #12, and #13, but they are all good.
Great list! Agree that this should inspire more ‘start again’ or New Year thinking throughout the year and not just at the start of the year! I personally connect more with 1, 4, 7 and 8, however, they are all great questions which I will definitely be using. Thanks for a great post.
5.What am I proud of?
6.What did I learn about myself and others?
7.How did I bring out the best in others?
Happy New Year Mr. Dan – Thank You for teaching me how to lead and follow
It is now on my daily schedule! I’m always working on clutter related to paper and tasks…this is an entirely new approach! Makes a lot of sense so I’m going to give it a try.