Daniel Pink’s Questions to Ask Yourself

I recently mentioned that Michael Lewis is one of my favorite authors. It’s about a tie between Lewis and Daniel Pink, another prolific non-fiction writer. In the case of Pink, I’ve read and enjoyed Drive, To Sell is Human, The Power of Regret, Free Agent Nation, and When.
 
I subscribe to Daniel Pink’s blog and this message is based on a recent posting. He recently passed a significant birthday, he didn’t say which one but noted it ended with a zero. He also recently passed a significant marriage anniversary, again undisclosed but also ending with a zero.
 
These milestones caused him to question himself about what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. That’s not unusual, especially when the shortness of life becomes more apparent with age. As is his style, he has come up with seven questions to ask yourself to help you to decide what to do with the rest of your life.
 
The question he says not to ask is, “What is my passion?” He thinks that is a terrible question and has seven different questions I’d like to share with you.

1. What made me weird as a kid?
   1. What interests or quirks did you have when you were young?
   1. We weren’t worried about making money.
   1. These early interests never truly vanish.
2. When do I lose track of time?
   1. What puts you into Flow?
   1. What causes you intrinsic happiness?
3. What do people thank me for?
   1. What do people appreciate about you?
   1. If people don’t tell you, ask.
   1. Purpose often lives at the intersection of what you love and what you contribute.
4. What’s my sentence?
   1. Summarize you life’s purpose in a single sentence.
   1. Pink’s Sentence: “He wrote books that help people understand their world a little more clearly and lead their lives a little more fully.”
5. Where can I make my biggest contribution?
   1. Finding your passion assumes the world revolves around you.
   1. This question starts with others.
   1. Purpose: A long-term intention to accomplish something that is meaningful to yourself and also contributes beyond yourself.
6. What would I do if I didn’t have to make money?
   1. You have to make a living but that can cloud your view.
   1. Go with the hypothetical and ask.
   1. What would you pursue if money were no object?
7. What will I regret when I’m 90?
   1. Most people regret what they didn’t do rather than what they did do.
   1. Regrets of inaction haunt us more than regrets of action.
   1. The biggest regrets of inaction: not being bolder.
   1. Not traveling, not starting a business, not speaking up.
   1. What three things would your 90-year-old self regret?
   1. What are you most proud of?