A Personal Growth Experiment - 4 Questions 1 Day

“How we live today is how we live our life.” - Tara Brach

In a prior post, I shared the daily 30X3 routine I use to try and stay grounded and ready myself for the day. I like to break the pattern from time to time just as fitness experts suggest we should change up our workout regimen to keep it interesting and challenge different parts of our body.

While writing in my journal a week or so ago, some good questions came to mind so I wrote them down with the idea of using them to reflect on my life overall. As I thought about my answers, it immediately occurred to me that these questions could benefit me every day. I realized that even during daily reflection my mind was often locked into planning for the future or contemplating the past. Yet what could be more important than how I live THIS day?

So I added the word “today” to the end of each question and plotted out my personal growth experiment.

Four Questions

1. How do I want to live today?
2. How do I want to love today?
3. How do I want to lead today?
4. What do I want to learn today?

Each morning for the next thirty days, during my 30X3, I will reflect on these questions and journal a one sentence answer for each that expresses my intentions for the day ahead. Then, each evening, I will take a short time to journal about how the day unfolded as I tried to be mindful and aware of these stated intentions. No judgement, no criticism, no evaluation - just letting it unfold naturally. This was my intention, this is what I experienced, a little gratitude for life and learning and done.

I imagine this will start slowly, without much noticeable change. My belief is that each iteration will have an increasingly positive impact on how I experience the events of the day and relate to the people in my life. I’ll check in here at the end of the journey to share what I learned.

If you’d like to come along for the journey just create your 4 questions and share in the comments below. Your feedback and encouragement are always welcome.

Oh, and today was day 1.

My answers?

1. I want to be aware, open and compassionate
2. I want to love with kindness and patience.
3. I want to lead with encouragement.
4. I want to learn to pause and consider before I act or speak.

Now it’s time to reflect.

Can’t wait to unwrap tomorrow.