5 Personal Growth Questions To Ask Yourself Daily

In our continual pursuit of a happier, more fulfilling life

Personal growth — otherwise known as self-improvement. It covers a wide spectrum of topics from improving one’s habits and actions to finding your life’s purpose.

Generally, the goal is to live a happier and more fulfilling life. After all, who doesn’t want to feel like they’re living their best possible life?

Unfortunately, this is easier said than done.

According to the World Health Organization, there’s been a 13% increase in mental health conditions, with one in five people suffering from deteriorated mental health. And based on an Ipsos Global Happiness Study, only two-thirds of the world report themselves as happy.

In the continued pursuit of a happier, more fulfilling life, I’d like to share five personal growth questions to ask yourself daily. But first, before I delve into these questions, let’s understand the foundation of happiness.

How Do We Find Happiness?

According to psychologist Martin Seligman, there are five key elements — these are termed the five pillars of happiness.

1. Positive emotion — In short, feeling good. This can be achieved by engaging in enjoyable activities or through personal reflections into the past, present, and future.
2. Engagement — This is the feeling of becoming completely absorbed in a project or activity that leaves you feeling immersed and energized.
3. Relationships — As human beings, we are social by nature. Having healthy, robust relationships in our lives is core to our well-being.
4. Meaning — Dedicating ourselves to a cause larger than us as individuals fills our lives with purpose.
5. Accomplishment — As natural goal-seekers, knowing that we’ve achieved something is important for our self-esteem and self-confidence.

Now that we have our ingredients for happiness, let’s delve into five personal growth questions to ourselves daily.

#1 — What have I done today to be good to myself?

Learn to be your own #1 cheerleader. Pat yourself on the back, give yourself a “self high five”, and celebrate being you. Because you deserve it!

It doesn’t always have to be a celebration for a big thing. Celebrate the little things too — checking one more item off your to-do list, successfully getting in that workout you’ve been putting off, or remembering to check in on that one friend you’ve been meaning to reach out to.

Sometimes, happiness will knock on your door waiting to be let in — it’s great when that happens. But other times, happiness needs to be cultivated. Be aware of your “happiness tank” and be sure to fill up before your gauge hits empty.

Put yourself — your well-being, your mental health, your happiness — at the top of your to-do list. Whether it’s some dedicated “me time”, indulging in some good ol’ rest and relaxation, or splurging a bit to make yourself feel better, do it.

Taking some time for yourself isn’t a waste of time; it’s prioritizing your time. Don’t take yourself for granted.

#2 — What have I done today to learn something new?

We feel excited and energized when we’re mentally stimulated. It boosts our self-confidence and improves our sense of self-worth.

This stimulation can come from trying your hand at something completely new, like attempting your first woodworking project or exploring a new hiking trail. It can also come from continuing to develop and hone an existing skill, like improving your musical abilities or practicing a sport.

We also reap these benefits when we experience a state of flow— “the mental state in which a person performing some activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity”.

Ever find yourself so immersed in something that you completely lose track of time? You glance up at the clock and realize that hours have gone by without you noticing. This is what flow feels like and it goes hand-in-hand with learning and engagement.

#3 — What have I done to recognize someone else?

Just as we must remember to celebrate ourselves, we must also celebrate those around us. Maintaining positive relationships with others is core to our overall well-being as social creatures.

Think about how easy it is for someone to rain on our parade with a harsh word or criticism. Alternatively, think of your reaction when someone thanks you or compliments you.

Now flip this around. Just as others influence us, we too influence them. Our interactions with others can just as easily build them up or tear them down, so let’s make a conscious decision to use our influence for the better.

Let’s make it our goal to put a smile on someone’s face. After all, smiles are infectious and chances are you’ll be smiling too.

#4 — What have I done today to help someone?

Ever notice a spring in your steps after you’ve helped someone out? It could be assisting a coworker with a problem, volunteering at a local shelter, or making a donation to your favorite charity.

It’s because we feel good when we help others.

This has been scientifically proven — supporting others “activates a neural pathway in the brain that boosts our wellbeing” according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh.

And it’s so common of an occurrence that it’s even been coined “helper’s high”. Studies have found people experience increased energy, better well-being, and even improved feelings of self-worth after helping others.

Helping someone helps you too — sounds like a two-for-one deal to me!

#5 — What have I tried today that might not work but tried anyways?

This might seem like a counter-intuitive question to ask yourself if our end goal is that fifth pillar of happiness — accomplishment — but stay with me here.

For us to feel a sense of accomplishment, we must also see it — the activity, the project, the problem — as a challenge that we’ve overcome.

Do I feel accomplished when I beat a five-year-old at chess? Generally no because I expect to win and I hope I’m not that unskilled in chess. Do I feel accomplished if I finally beat my husband at chess after losing 20 games in a row? Heck yes!

That sense of accomplishment is particularly sweet when it’s something we’ve worked for, taken a risk to obtain, or previously failed at. Or more succinctly put — no pain, no gain.

Let’s recap

Here are the five pillars of happiness paired with five daily personal questions to ask yourself.

1. Positive emotion — What have I done today to be good to myself?
2. Engagement — What have I done today to learn something new?
3. Relationships —What have I done to recognize someone else?
4. Meaning — What have I done today to help someone?
5. Accomplishment — What have I tried today that might not work but tried anyways?

Life’s a continuous, learning journey — let’s continue moving forward in the continual pursuit of a happier, more fulfilling life.