Ever ask someone this question when they wanted something from you?

Probably, right? It's a pretty common question. Yet it's one we sometimes overlook in our daily endeavoring to reach our goals.

If you've been unsuccessful in following through on your goals, this might be what "Future You" is asking you every day.

The thing is, life only speaks in the affirmative. ("life" roughly equating to "God," "The Universe," pick your particular preference.)

If you're not giving life a clear vision it can sink its teeth into, it won't have an anchor to build around. If you are giving life a clear vision where you're going, you're more likely to get there. It still might not happen, but your chances are much better. And it might not look exactly like what you planned, but it'll get you in the neighborhood.

Life only speaks in the affirmative.

(For proof: do not think of a pink elephant right now. Have you succeeded in NOT thinking of a pink elephant yet? More where that came from here.)

This also means that if you feel like you're missing something, life can't tell you what it is. Life can't spell it out for you. You've gotta act affirmatively and feel it out on your own. Life just doesn't speak the language of absence - it speaks through creation, through trying things. If you feel a pang in your heart, somewhere deep - if you feel like you’re not living up to what you could be - life won't spell it out for you. It can't. It only speaks in the affirmative.

More upside? You now have full freedom to try out anything you like. Learn skiing. Take an improv class. (Seriously, it's good for more than yuks.) Start drawing something. Life is your experiment. Go nuts and see what sticks.

When you get specific and affirmative in your thinking and acting - whoa nelly.

Then you know what to listen for. Then you naturally know where to go, and you're on your way to getting what you came for.