A TUNE UP GUIDE to DRIVE YOURSELF HAPPY for 2010

A TUNE UP GUIDE to DRIVE YOURSELF HAPPY:

Questions to Catch Your Blind Spots, Tune Your Engine, Recharge Your Battery, Fill Up Your Tank, and Stay On Course on Your Road of Happiness

Directions:

As a regular tune-up tool, ask yourself one or all of these questions regularly, especially when you get stuck or detoured. From your answers, create a list of manageable and measurable authentic action steps to chart your course and ensure an enjoyable journey. Move forward, through your fear and resistance, and choose your attitude. Regular tune-ups insure that what’s under the hood continues to operate in a way that you can be happy regardless of the circumstances.

On the Road of Principles, Values and Beliefs:

~ What are my bottom line principles, values and beliefs that I want to use as the compass for my life?

• What is their order of importance?
• Which one(s) do I need to focus on and recommit to currently to be on a path of purpose and happiness?
• Where and how can I have my words and actions match to reflect these values more consistently?
• Can I do this willingly, recognizing that although I cannot choose my circumstances I can choose my perspective?
• What places am I out of balance, detouring down the wrong road or wasting energy?
• Where can I adjust to regain balance and get my tires back in alignment?
• What small adjustments in my direction am I willing to make at this time?
• What mistakes of my own or others do I need to forgive to be present now?

On the Road of Choice:

• Am I willing to no longer be a back seat driver of life, judging and blaming others, and telling them what to do?
• What small step can I take in each major area of my life to get back on course?
• How will I celebrate and acknowledge small victories?
• What specific things have I been avoiding and procrastinating about?
• Am I willing to strive for excellence, not perfection?
• Am I willing to see mistakes as opportunities to learn?
• What mistakes have I made recently?
• What have I learned and am willing to apply?
• Am I willing to no longer live in reverse, wasting energy reliving my mistake?

On the Road of Purpose:

• What are my deepest and most heartfelt desires, and creative vision if I believed I could not fail?
• Where am I off purpose and why?
• What are the deep and meaningful things that I have been afraid to ask for?
• What do I believe would happen to me if I did not get what I want?
• What do I feel would happen if I did get what I want?
• What are my ten-year goals? Five year? One year? One month? Today?
• Where do I need to clarify my goals and take action?
• Am I willing to be committed AND flexible?
• Where are places and ways that I can acknowledge my talents, and give them for the joy of giving rather than expecting anything in return?
• How can I create a greater sense of meaning in my life today?
• What are simple pleasures I overlook?
• What are ways that I can develop my intuition and deepen my sense of inner listening?
• List the ten greatest pieces of wisdom or insights that I know.

On the Road of Happiness and Peace:

• When do I feel the greatest happiness in my life?
• What can I do to have more fun in all areas of my life?
• What is the first thing I think and say each day?
• What is the way I end my day?
• Am I asking for what I want?
• Am I listening for the answer, willing to receive it regardless of its form?
• Am I willing to look for the blessing in even the greatest challenges?
• Am I aware when I drift from present moment thinking?
• What way do I bring myself back to center?
• What daily steps am I willing to take not to have greater peace, clarity, balance, congruence and happiness in my life.
• When can I develop greater compassion and better genuine listening?
• How can I be more authentic?
• What activities lead me to greater stillness and confidence?
• If love is the answer to any question, what questions in my life need to be answered with love?

On the Road of Love, Acceptance, and Acknowledgment:

• Where am I going in reverse in blame, guilt, regrets or judgments, wasting time or distracting myself from what is truly important now?
• What are the old beliefs, excuses, or self-criticism I use to keep me stuck in the mud?
• Where have I detoured from positive and loving thoughts?
• What misbeliefs am I willing to adjust at this time.
• What is my greatest fear(s)?
• Is the FEAR a False Expectation Appearing Real?
• Where do I feel vulnerable, hurt, or a victim of life?
• What stresses me?
• Where do I see myself as inadequate and not like myself?
• Am I willing to commit to seeing myself as adequate and loving?
• How do I perceive my strengths as weaknesses?
• What major roadblocks need to be resolved?
• What ways can I step back into the driver’s seat?

On the Road of a New Perspective:

• What are my expectations for myself? What is my purpose?
• What is my personal definition for success?
• Where do I hold myself back?
• Am I willing to change my direction?
• What are the expectations of others that I am driven and detoured by? Boss? Work? Spouse? Parents? Friends?
• Do I have supportive traveling companions on the road of life at work, at home, and with friends?
• If not, why?
• What steps am I willing to take to choose supportive traveling companions.
• How can I improve my communication and inter-personal skills?
• In what ways am I not speaking up and not being honest?
• What run away negative or limiting thoughts or judgments keep steering me off course?
• What key choices am I ready to make to choose my own gear and direction?