Self-inquiry is the process of deeply questioning your beliefs and behaviors with both self-honesty and self-acceptance. It is such an important activity to undertake because it can help reveal where you are not being true to yourself and what is causing you to be stuck.
What’s the self-inquiry magic formula? The truth is that there are four tools you need to use during the self-inquiry process, as outlined in my new book Fierce Reinvention.
Let’s get started:
- Write
First of all, self-inquiry is a process of iterative self-exploration. Fierce Reinvention contains many practical exercises which encourage you to consider and write down responses in a stream of consciousness. Go with the flow that they generate. They will, in turn, spark other thoughts on each of the topic areas.
- Revisit
I can’t stress this enough: revisit the questions in Fierce Reinvention daily, and twice daily if you want to simulate going on a retreat. Your answers will change as you come back to them. Don’t throw out your initial thoughts as there may be gems in there and you will be able to trace how your thinking has progressed by going back through earlier answers.
So go ahead and have a play with these self-inquiry questions:
* Who are you and what are your belief systems?
* What do you fear most and how does this fear sit within you?
* What makes you vulnerable?
* What is work and what part of you shows up for work?
- Share
Make sure to share your answers with your coach or a trusted colleague who can make this journey with you. If the person you are sharing with is not an experienced coach or therapist then it is imperative that you don’t foist too much responsibility on them without properly briefing them beforehand.
They need to mindfully agree to take this task on, as it requires commitment. What often works well is to offer to reciprocate a similar exercise for them. In that way you feel less like you are drawing on their energy and more that you are mutually sharing. It is also a good way to create a trusted bond, which will give you comfort in sharing more. Allow them to create the space for you to explore further. Let them steer you into deeper exploration.
A word of caution: don’t be afraid if this exploration brings up strong emotions. In fact, I would be surprised if it doesn’t. Those emotions surfacing are a sign that you are peeling back layer upon layer to get to the real stuff, your inner core.
- Support
And one more thing, if you are part of a peer group then this would be an excellent additional support mechanism for you to continue your self-exploration. A peer community will provide the belonging and sense of safety that nurtures you. Don’t be surprised when you realize that you are not alone in some of your feelings.
My new book, Fierce Reinvention: A Guide to Harnessing Your Superpowers for Entrepreneurial and Leadership Success ($11.99 digital, $15.99 print (USD), 2nd October 2017) is available from Amazon.