Major changes in life can be intimidating. But they’re also what open new opportunities, strengthen your resilience, and help you grow. The key isn’t to avoid change, but to understand yourself in advance, know your priorities, and recognize your inner resources. Here are six questions to help you prepare for change and stay strong when situations get tough.
What do you know about yourself?
This is the foundation. Knowing yourself is the starting point for any change. It’s not enough to know your skills—you also need to understand your habits that help or hinder you, and the thinking patterns that drive your actions. We often underestimate the impact of internal barriers: fear of judgment, the habit of procrastinating important decisions, or the inability to recognize emotions—all of these slow progress.
Tip: Keep a journal of your observations. Note what thoughts and reactions arise in different situations, what gives you energy, and what drains you. Over time, you’ll notice patterns and be able to adjust your behavior more consciously.
What are you proud of?
Pride isn’t just a pleasant feeling—it’s an internal resource. It reflects all the effort you’ve put into learning, work, relationships, and self-improvement. Even small accomplishments build confidence and motivation.
Example: Regular workouts are a reason to be proud of your discipline, and the professional path you’ve taken is a reason to be proud of your experience. Once a week, recall three events or achievements you’re proud of. This strengthens your internal resource and helps you move boldly toward new goals.
What fears or anxieties do you experience?
Fears are natural companions of change. They signal potential limits. Most people ignore fear, suppress it, or deny it, which only increases inner tension.
Analyzing your fears is a tool for growth. Talk through why they arise, what exactly scares you, and what the real consequences are. For example, fear of changing jobs is often less about the project itself and more about losing familiar comfort.
Tip: Whenever you feel anxious, write down three possible steps to solve the problem. This turns emotions into concrete actions and helps you act with confidence.
What does failure mean to you?
Failure is frightening until we break it down. Every process of change carries a risk of mistakes, but it’s important to understand their real consequences. Often, what’s scarier is not failure itself but the regret of not trying.
Example: Launching a new project is always risky, but planning steps for potential problems makes fear manageable. Imagine the worst-case scenario and consider how to minimize it—this helps you view failure as part of growth, not as a catastrophe.
What does success mean to you?
Success isn’t just money, recognition, or status. True success is understanding what gives your life meaning, motivates you to move forward, and brings satisfaction.
For some, it’s career and influence; for others, family harmony and health; for others still, freedom and creative fulfillment. Sketch or describe your life in five years: work, health, relationships, free time. This becomes a guide for decisions during periods of change.
Who do you want to become?
This question is about your identity and your vision of your future self. Change requires internal transformation. Defining who you want to be helps you build strategy, make decisions, and develop habits that align with that identity.
Example: If your goal is to be decisive and confident, it’s not enough to just act—you need to develop new habits and ways of thinking that support this identity. Repeat or write down thoughts that reflect your desired self, and check how well your current actions align. This strengthens the connection between your inner state and real-life actions.
