A Deep Dive Into Self-Evaluation: Finding My Path

It’s a quiet Saturday afternoon, and I’m sitting at my desk  when I stumble across this gem on the Oprah site. It’s all about self-evaluation—simple questions that make you pause and think about where you’re at and where you’re headed. I’ve always liked taking a step back to check in with myself, so I decide to give it a go. The idea’s not to rush or overthink—just to sit with these questions, answer them honestly, and see what comes up. I’ll walk through each one, reflect on my answers, and wrap it up with some thoughts on why this kind of thing matters. Let’s get started.

1. Where Am I in Five Years?

I close my eyes and picture myself five years from now, living my absolute best life. I wake up in a cozy room with big windows letting in soft morning light—maybe it’s a small house by a lake, somewhere peaceful but not too far from a city. The walls are a warm beige, with a mix of art I’ve picked up over the years—some colorful abstracts, a few framed photos of places I’ve been. There’s a wooden bookshelf stuffed with novels and journals, a plush rug underfoot, and a bed with crisp white sheets and a quilt I’d probably obsess over picking out.

I’m alone in this moment—just me, a steaming mug of coffee on the nightstand, and the sound of birds outside. It’s calm, intentional, like I’ve carved out a space that’s all mine. I’ve always wanted a spot where I can think and create without chaos, and this feels right. I imagine I’m waking up to a day where I’m doing work I love—maybe writing, maybe something creative—and it’s a life that’s full but not frantic. Reflecting on this, I realize how much I crave peace and purpose, and it’s a nudge to keep chasing that balance.

2. What’s My Wish and Symbol?

Next, I think about something I want to make happen—let’s say it’s landing a big creative project, like publishing a book or building a portfolio I’m proud of. In my mind, I picture a concrete symbol for that wish coming true: a shiny, hardcover book with my name on the spine, sitting on a bookstore shelf. I can see it—deep blue cover, gold lettering, maybe a simple design that feels like me.

I’ve always loved books, so this symbol makes sense—it’s tangible, something I could hold and say, “I did that.” I’ll linger on it for a second, imagining it in my hands, and it’s a goal I’ve carried for a while. It’s not just about the book; it’s about proving to myself I can finish something big. I think this wish fits where I’m at—wanting to create, to leave a mark—and the symbol keeps it real in my head.

3. How Does It Feel?

Now I imagine that wish coming true—my book’s out there, people are reading it—and I check in with how my body feels. There’s this warm buzz in my chest, like excitement mixed with calm, and my shoulders loosen up a bit. I’ll tweak the vision—maybe I’m at a signing, or just flipping through it alone—and it shifts to this quiet pride, a steady “I made it” feeling.

I’ve noticed it doesn’t feel impossible—it’s big, sure, but not out of reach. I’ll adjust it until it’s peaceful, like it’s already done, and my breathing slows, my mind settles. It’s not a frantic rush; it’s normal, doable, and I think that’s key. I’ve learned if something feels too wild, I freeze, but this feels like a path I can walk. Reflecting on it, I see how much I need that calm to believe it’s real, and it’s a good sign I’m on the right track.

4. What’s My Easy Skill?

What can I do with my eyes closed, even on a bad day? I’ll sit with that and land on writing—not fancy stuff, just getting thoughts down. I’ve always found it easy to scribble out what’s in my head, whether it’s a journal entry or a quick idea. On my worst days—tired, grumpy—I can still manage a few sentences, and it’s like breathing to me.

Thinking about how that could lead to huge success, I picture it growing—maybe those scribbles turn into articles, then a book, then a whole career. I’ve seen how small habits stack up, and if I lean into this, it could take me somewhere big. I’ll imagine a bestseller or a blog that blows up, and it’s not crazy—writing’s my fallback, my strength. I think this tells me I’ve got a tool I can trust, and it’s a push to use it more, not just let it sit.

 5. My Life Situation

Now I write out my life as it is—where I’m at, who’s around, what’s tricky. I’m in a decent spot—working a job that’s fine but not thrilling, living in a small apartment I like, surrounded by people I see regularly, like coworkers and neighbors. I’ve got routines—coffee shops, walks, the usual—but there’s this blind spot where I don’t always see myself clearly. I’ll catch myself thinking I’m not creative enough or driven enough, even when I’m plugging away at stuff I care about.

I’ve noticed I downplay what I’m good at—writing, ideas—because it’s not flashy or fast paced. My self-concept’s stuck on “average,” but I’ll look at my real self and see someone who keeps going, who’s got more spark than I admit. It’s a gap I’ve been mulling over, and I think it’s holding me back from owning what I could be. This question’s making me face that, and it’s a bit uncomfortable but useful.

6. Rethinking the Worst Beliefs

Looking back at that, I zero in on the rough parts—feeling stuck in a job, doubting my drive. The belief tied to that is “I’m not good enough to do something big.” I’ll sit with it and realize it’s nonsense—I’ve finished projects, I’ve stuck with things, but I keep telling myself it’s not enough. Another one’s “I’ll never break out of this rut,” and it’s a heavy thought that drags me down.

I’ll rethink those—“I’m not good enough” becomes “I’ve got skills I can build on,” because I do, and the evidence is there in what I’ve done. “Never break out” shifts to “I can take small steps and get somewhere,” because I’ve moved forward before, even slowly. I’ve thought about how these old beliefs box me in, and flipping them feels lighter, like I’m giving myself room to grow. It’s a shift I need, and I’m glad I caught it here.

7. Defying the Negative

I think back to times someone’s said something downbeat that I just knew wasn’t true. Once, someone told me I’d end up in a “safe” job forever—nothing special—and I felt this fire inside, like, no way, that’s not me. I’ve always had this gut sense I’m meant for more—maybe not fame, but something that matters to me.

I’ll remember that moment and how it pushed me—I started writing more after that, proving it wrong in my own way. It’s like Oprah knowing she wouldn’t hang clothes forever; I knew I wouldn’t settle for a life that small. I’ve felt that spark other times too—little comments that lit me up—and it’s a clue I’ve got a drive I can trust. Reflecting on it, I see how those “no” moments fuel me, and I’m leaning into that now.

8. Prophetic Remarks

This one’s fun—I think about offhand stuff I’ve said or heard that turned out big. Years ago, I told someone, “I’ll write something people actually read one day,” half joking, but it’s stuck with me. I’ve seen it creep closer—posts that get traction, ideas that click—and it’s like I called it.

I’ve also heard things—like someone saying, “You’ve got a way with words”—and brushed it off, but it’s played out in small wins. I’ll look back and think, huh, maybe that wasn’t just talk. It’s not Harry Potter level, but it’s a nudge that what I say about myself matters. I’m starting to watch my words more, because they’ve got this weird way of shaping things.

9. Actions Matching Wants

Are my actions lining up with what I want? I’ll sit with that and see some gaps—I say I want a creative life, but I’ll spend hours scrolling instead of working on it. I’ve noticed I stick around in spots that don’t lift me up—like a job that’s meh—waiting for it to get better instead of moving on. It’s passive, and I know it’s not helping.

I’ve thought about how staying still when things feel off just drags me down. I’ll catch myself making excuses—too tired, too busy—but it’s on me to shift. Reflecting on this, I see where I need to step up, take charge, and it’s a wake up call I didn’t expect. I’m aiming to tweak that, bit by bit, because I want more than this holding pattern.

10. Busting Negative Beliefs

Do I undercut myself with “I’ll never” thoughts? Yeah—I’ll catch myself thinking, “I’ll never make it big,” or “that’s not for people like me.” It’s this old tape that plays, and I’ve let it steer me too long. But I’ll look for times it’s wrong—I’ve landed gigs I didn’t expect, finished stuff I thought I’d quit, and it’s proof that voice isn’t fact.

I’ve focused on those wins—small articles, moments I pushed past doubt—and it’s like rewriting the script. I’ll think about how my life defies that gloom—I’m here, doing this, not stuck—and it’s a boost. Reflecting on it, I see how much power those negatives have if I let them, but I’m flipping it now, and it feels good.

 Why This Matters

Stepping back, I think this whole exercise is gold—it’s about knowing myself first, then sorting out what’s working and what’s not. I’ve realized self-evaluation’s all about staying awake to what I’m doing. Am I hurting myself with dumb habits? Am I pushing forward or just coasting? I’ll look at my day—writing this, sipping tea—and see where I’m at, what’s blocking me.

I’ve found it’s the best way to figure out my spot in life—checking my actions, not just floating along. I’ll think about how distractions can derail me, and this pulls me back, keeps me on track. It’s not about perfection; it’s about direction, and I’m glad I took the time. I’d do it again when I’m lost—it’s my reset, my map, and I love it.