Many people think that if they work hard, be the first person in the office and the last one to leave at night that they will be successful. Entrepreneurs put in 50 to 60 hours a week chasing success as they slowly burn out. The reality is that success is often closer than you realize and it depends on how you think about it and what questions you ask yourself.

As you pursue the path to success, whatever that means to you, the questions you ask yourself are ultra important and can shape your success. If your mindset goes to dark places when things don’t go as planned, you may be someone always asking yourself “Why me?” This question will not get you closer to your goals. It is a disempowering question because your brain will attempt to answer it with negative answers.

For example, if you didn’t get that contract that you pitched, when you ask the ‘why me’ question, you blame yourself and even others. You might say you quoted too high, you said the wrong thing in the meeting, or that your assistant delivered the proposal late.

Instead, ask yourself how you can do better next time. Find out what you needed to do to secure the contract and use it to fuel the next proposal. Powerful questions can change your state and catapult you quickly into a more positive frame of mind, which helps you on your journey to success.

Here are 3 powerful questions you can ask yourself every day to increase your chances of success:

1. What Am I Capable Of?

This is a little bit of a trick question. No one REALLY knows what they are capable of. We set boundaries for ourselves that limit and define us. That keeps us small. It is important to think big – so much bigger than you even think is possible. Other people will try to knock you down for thinking what THEY think is possible, but in reality no one ever truly knows what is possible.

Many times from great adversity comes our greatest achievements. Until something happens to you that tests you, you may not even know you were capable of getting through something, let alone thrive from it. Consider the proverbial “Rags to Riches” stories that are so popular. If any of the people in those stories forced limitations on themselves, they would not have achieved greatness.

When you ask yourself what you are capable of, let your mind go wild. Remember, only a few short years ago, we could not have conceived of watching full movies on a small handheld device. The possibilities are endless.

“The mind is what the mind is fed.” – David J. Schwartz

2. Who Do My Closest Allies Need To Be?

Jim Rohn famously said we are the average of the five people we associate with the most. Take a look at your own life and make note of who your closest allies are now. Are they the ones you need to be with to achieve your goals? If not, start making conscious choices to go and meet the people that are like-minded and will support you on your road to success. By identifying and spending time with the right people, you’ll increase your chances for success.

3. Who Do I Need To Become?

Picture yourself starring in a movie. In this role, consider what that person would look like when he is successful. Notice the traits or habits you practice. How you handle situations and adversity, as well as the good times when you become that successful person is important. Once you are clear on who this person is, become that person now. Practice becoming your movie star every day and keep growing as you fit into the role.

“What we think, we become.” – Buddha

Ask yourself these powerful questions every day and for each aspect of your life. For example, you can use these for your relationships, for career and even for your health. You will find increased success in all of those areas of your life.

How do you push yourself towards greatness? Let u know by leaving a comment below!

Image courtesy of Twenty20.com