This past weekend I celebrated another birthday. I’ve been working long hours on some special projects lately, so I spent some time absorbing the majesty of nature, in my favorite place to reflect. I decided to spend the day hiking in Starved Rock State Park. It’s my best “get away” day trip destination and it’s an hour’s drive from my house.

I love exploring the trails and huge limestone rocks along the Illinois River. In addition to contemplating the abundant beauty that surrounds me (it is an incredible place), I made it a point to walk further than I had ever been there before. Maybe it was ego, pride, curiosity or maybe it was sheer determination. I have been walking there for the last 10 years and I think as I am a little older, the challenge of improving the best caught my attention.

Walking on Starved Rock is not like walking on a sidewalk. There are many peaks and valleys, hills and ravines to traverse. Let me tell you, it’s a workout. Within 10 minutes I was taking breaks to catch my breath and wondering how far I could progress. After all, I am 10 years older than when I originally hiked these trails. Besides the challenge, it was over 90 degrees hot and humid.

After several kilometers of ascent and descent, I knew that I had come close to the point where I would normally turn around and return. I was having a lot of fun, doing some serious training, and as challenging as it was, I was considering turning around when a voice inside me asked … Are you satisfied?

Are you satisfied?

I find myself wondering that more and more these days.

As I get older, I find that my goals are more ambitious and expansive.

I long to stretch a little more.

I want to improve the best I can in everything I do.

When I think I can’t go any further, that’s precisely the moment when I have to stretch a little more.

Compliance is measured by your own criteria.

Are you satisfied?

It is one of the most important questions you can ask yourself.

Write these 3 words on sticky notes and post them around your home for a week.

Are you satisfied?

Look at your list of goals.

Are you satisfied?

It is a question that opens doors.

It leads to “favoring” their efforts. It adds to …

It leads to breakthroughs.

It challenges you to break through (perceived) barriers.

It will magically identify areas for improvement.

No matter how happy I am with something, I can always do better, the simple question is an invitation to constant improvement. It makes me continually search …

Constant and never-ending improvement is a discipline, a habit that can be learned by asking questions like this.

Are you satisfied?

It is a challenge. It is a challenge.

Think about it. At work, at play, at the gym, in the car, in your relationships …

One more call to work, one more presentation, one more glass of water, one more sitting, one more push-up, one more mile, one more smile, one more hug, one more I love you …

To finish my story about hiking at Starved Rock, I went further. I went further than I had ever gone before and it was more beautiful than I imagined. It was exhilarating. I took an inventory of my life. I reveled in gratitude. He enjoyed nature. I set new goals.

Activate your subconscious mind, release your full potential by asking the question:

Are you satisfied?