Do you have a ton to do and have no idea where to start? Would 
you like to know with each step you take you're heading in the 
right direction? Would you like to narrow your "to do" list down 
to a few key items and let go of the rest? Would you like to work 
smarter, not harder?

The questions below will help you do just that. Answering these 
questions will help you find your focus so you can do what you 
want to do and feel great about your life while you're doing it.

1. What do I care about most? Or, where is my heart leading me?

Only when you allow yourself to do what you care about most will 
you begin feeling better about your life.

Asking this question will give your HEART a space to speak and be 
heard. When we get wrapped up in all the "stuff" we have to do we 
often overlook what our heart wants.

2. What do I really, really want to do? Or, ask yourself "is this 
what I really want?" If the answer is "no", ask yourself why 
you're doing it and then find a way to stop doing it. So much 
life is wasted doing things we don't want to do.

Doing what you really want is a process of identifying and 
letting go of the things that you don't want and replacing them 
with things that you do want. Overtime you'll rebalance your life 
to include MORE of what you want to do.

This question will give your DREAMS an opportunity to come to 
life. This one question could set your life on a new course.

3. How do I want to feel while I'm doing what I'm doing? If what 
you're doing doesn't give you pleasure while you're doing it, you 
may be on the wrong track. Why? Because "doing" takes up much 
more time then the result. The result happens once. We reach each 
goal only once and then it's over. The journey to our goals is 
what fills our life with experiences. If you're not feeling good 
during the "doing" (aka -- the journey) is it really worth it?

This question allows your SPIRIT to come alive -- to be 
experienced. Give yourself permission to do things that feel good 
and you'll live an inspired life.

4. What is the "for sake of what" behind what I'm doing? Another 
way to word this question would be, "In the big picture of my 
life what purpose does this action serve?" If the answer isn't 
clear you may be letting life lead you.

This question helps you CONNECT THE DOTS and make better choices 
for your life. Basing your actions on a clear purpose puts you in 
the driver's seat which means you are LEADING your life instead 
of letting it lead you.

5. What am I going to do? Make a list of all the things you care 
about and all the things you really want to do and prioritize 
them with a "1-2-3" approach. Rank your list in order of 
importance.

Of course we make choices (decisions) about what we're going to 
do all day long BUT how often do we make choices after asking 
questions 1-4? Answering the above questions FIRST will give you 
the opportunity to bring more of what you really want into your 
life.

This question requires a CHOICE be made. Now you've narrowed your 
focus!

6. How am I going to do it? After narrowing your focus create a 
mini action plan for each item. Write down the steps you'll need 
to take to make it happen.

Tip: only focus on 1 or 2 things at a time (ex: over the period 
of 1 month). Don't try to do everything at once. That will just 
lead to overwhelm. Give yourself a chance to worker smarter and 
you will get more done.

This question will inspire you to TAKE ACTION. Nothing happens 
without it. In order to create the life you want you have to give 
your dreams, heart and spirit a voice and space in your life. 
However, this alone won't make things happen. You have to channel 
all these things into a clear course of action.

Instead of jumping into your "to do" list, take some time to 
reflect upon these questions. By doing so you'll put yourself on 
a life and/or business path that reflects more of what you really 
want. Determine your FOCUS first and you'll live a fuller, richer 
life. 

Cari Vollmer is the creative founder of LifeOnTrack.com.  
LifeOnTrack.com’s inspirational e-zine, LivingOnTrack, offers 
practical success tools, tips and strategies for getting and 
keeping your life on track.  Sign up at 
http://www.LifeOnTrack.com .