The Most Important Question to Ask Yourself

This is a question that I ask every single person who comes into my mentorship and coaching practice, and I wanted to share it with you.

But, first, some context…

Who you are is at the core of everything you do. Many people believe that your identity is always in flux, changing, growing, and being challenged, and that it ultimately determines your life’s trajectory.  I don’t disagree with that, but I look at it more like a swordsmith.  They heat the sword, cool it, heat it, cool it, and every time it gets stronger and stronger.

I believe that our identity doesn’t change; it galvanizes over time.  Each challenge we endure shapes our identity, allowing us to become who we truly are.

Why is this important?

Who you are will determine your actions, and your actions will dictate whether or not you achieve your goals.

So instead of saying, “I want to achieve XYZ,” say, “I am someone who does XYZ.”

Don’t shoot for the goal - be the person who has already achieved it.

I’ve danced around the question enough, so here it is:

Who are you?  However, the caveat is that you cannot mention your occupation, faith, family, or hobbies in the answer.

If you can answer that question, you’ll never fail to achieve any goal you set for yourself.

Paul Oneid, MS. MS. CSCS

Founder and Head Coach