It is a brand new year, and just like other years, it brings new energy to the atmosphere. Everyone is hopeful and full of new aspirations. I love this excitement, if anything, I’m guilty of having the same excitement. For me, this excitement is not just the normal excitement of a new year as this is also the beginning of a new decade.

This exciting for me because as I reflect, I realize that where I was 10 years ago is not where I am now. I’m not even the person that I was then, my outlook on life has changed dramatically. What I thought I wanted in life, is not exactly what I want now. The things I thought were important have also changed as well. As we begin this series on how to win for the next ten years, I realized that the first lesson can be derived from how the last ten years have unfolded.

Realizing that my life is different now, and that my philosophy of life is different made me realize the Importance of questioning things in life. As we begin this new decade, we should be big on asking questions. Not just asking others but having that internal conversation with ourselves. We should ask ourselves why we have certain aspirations and desires, why do we do this and that? Why are we in the professions that we are in?

As scary as it might be, the process of asking ourselves these questions will only enlighten us and enrich our lives. Over the past decade, I have had to ask myself questions about a lot of things. Particularly around why I believe certain things and aspire for certain things. This internal interview made me realize that I was living my life based on other people’s ideologies and not my own.

I had to find myself and what makes sense to me. This is a big deal for me because if all I was doing was subscribe to other people ideologies, then I was trying to fit into a box that I was put in without being aware. Boxes are designed for others, based on the uniqueness of those who were to fit into them. My specifications were not for that box, so why should I force myself into it!?

Also, not constantly questioning things and yourself can have you trying to hold on to spaces and relationships you have actually outgrown. This is true for many instances. Imagine that you get employed in this new company and new position, and you are excited and it brings you so much joy. That same space can be depressing tomorrow because you have hit the ceiling there. You got to ask yourself why you are still there. Could there be better opportunities for you out there? If you don’t ask these questions, you will remain in that same environment and call it depressive. Although it can be argued that the reason you are depressed is because you have outgrown the space.

So, how about you begin by asking yourself some questions. Have the internal honest conversation with yourself. Don’t just do it for now, 10 years is a long time. Perhaps do it every 12 months. Your life can change by adapting this very simple principle of life. Winning for the next decade should not just be about material success, lets aim for wholistic growth. Lets have money and peace of mind and everything in between.