10 Ways to Be Your Own Life Coach

By Victoria Moran

Though we often seek advice from others, many spiritual traditions teach that the answer lies within. In this gallery, Victoria Moran, inspirational speaker, spiritual life coach, and author, offers us the top 10 questions she asks her coaching clients.

By asking them of yourself, they can help you gain clarity in almost any situation. Just pick a challenge you're dealing with, and apply one or more of the following questions. Then, be willing to act on what your inner wisdom reveals.

Become your own life coach.

Victoria Moran is an inspirational speaker, spiritual life coach, and author of books including "Creating a Charmed Life" and "Fat, Broke & Lonely No More." You can learn more about her by visiting Victoriamoran.com.

What Does My Body Have to Say About This?

Our culture has long mistrusted the body. It's been seen as a confusing blend of God's handiwork and the devil's playground. It is, rather, a vortex of intelligence.

Every cell comes equipped with awareness. Your body has something in the neighborhood of 40 trillion cells--quite a consulting committee. Call on it when you're confused or undecided. Relax quietly and ask your body what it has to say. Then note any sensations. Around your heart, are you picking up excitement that says "Yes!" even if there's also a little anxiety about doing something new? Or in your belly, are you feeling dread, a "gut reaction" telling you to take another path?

What Would Jesus (Buddha, Sai Baba, My Grandmother) Do?

Thinking of a role model, whether a great spiritual teacher or a sweet spiritual person, is like having a mentor on-call. Ask yourself what this person would do in your situation. A technique for tapping their wisdom is to write out the question and the answer. This doesn't mean that you're channeling a spirit or writing a new gospel: you're simply tapping into the wisdom that knowing this person (or knowing of this person) has given you.

Your questioning on paper can become a fascinating conversation that yields surprising insights. And it gives the phrase "friends in high places" a whole new meaning.

Where Should I Act and Where Should I Step Back?

Ask this to get a sense of what is yours to do and what isn't. This is the advanced class in enlightened living. Countless times we've all acted too soon or without sufficient information, or we've stepped in where our input wasn't needed and muddied circumstances that were already working themselves out.

When you ask yourself, quietly and confidently, what your part is in a given situation, and where to wait (or exit entirely), you'll get a clear idea of your role. If you ask the question and still want to act against the advice of your internal coach, remind yourself that, although life is a series of little dramas, none of them needs a drama queen (or king).

What is the Divine Intention for My Life Today?

As football has a Super Bowl, life has a Super Question, and this is it, asking the will of God, or the way of Tao, etc. Your request is to know how your day can be in keeping with divine design. You can go off in a different direction--we do it all the time and learn the lessons of the detour. Nevertheless, when you ask this and even attempt to follow through on the answer, you're taking the high road.

One of my mentors says, "I don't always do God's will, but I always want to." It's a great place to start. So ask the question. Its answer might be the only one you'll ever need.

Victoria Moran is an inspirational speaker, spiritual life coach, and author of books including "Creating a Charmed Life" and "Fat, Broke & Lonely No More." You can learn more about her by visiting Victoriamoran.com.