book summary "55 Questions to ask yourself" by Manoj Chenthamarakshan

An Introduction to the Author

Manoj Chenthamarakshan is an Amazon‑bestselling self‑help author, certified NLP Master Practitioner and Ericksonian Hypnosis Practitioner, accredited by ABNLP, IAPCCT, and the ICF Federation. Originally from Coimbatore, India, he transformed from a struggling computer‑science student into a personal‑growth expert after discovering The Secret. Over eight years of coaching (200+ hours) culminated in his platform “The Positive Store,” serving 50,000+ customers worldwide, then a full‑time writing career. His style is direct, practical, and rooted in neuroscience‑informed techniques: he asks probing questions, offers clear action steps, and writes in a concise, no‑fluff manner that readers find accessible and engaging .

The Story of the Book

55 Questions to Ask Yourself unfolds linearly across eight “dimensions” of life—identity, goals, beliefs, opportunities, actions, accountability, celebration, and growth. Rather than a narrative with characters, the “story” is your own journey: each chapter opens with context and a brief anecdote (often drawn from the author’s NLP coaching) that illustrates why the upcoming questions matter. Then you encounter a set of pointed, reflective questions—each accompanied by short guidance on how to journal your answers or discuss them with an accountability partner. The centerpiece, the “question that heals,” emerges gradually: it’s revealed in the Accountability section as “What belief about myself am I willing to release?”—the pivot that transforms mere goal‑setting into genuine emotional healing and self‑acceptance.

A Summary of the Book

At its core, the book argues that self‑inquiry—structured around 55 precise questions—is the key to deep, sustainable transformation. The main themes include:

• Emotional Healing & Self‑Awareness:

• Understanding your self‑image by questioning underlying beliefs (“What stories do I tell myself about my worth?”).

• Alternative‑inspired Methods:

• Although not medical advice, it leverages NLP and mind‑body principles, suggesting that reframing thoughts can shift neurochemistry and behavior.

• Goal Clarity & Action Planning:

• It moves from vision (“What would I do if failure were impossible?”) to concrete milestones (6‑month, 3‑month, 1‑month, weekly plans) as one reviewer noted it “provides a roadmap for success”.

• Spiritual Insight:

• It gently invites readers to consider values beyond material gain—questions like “What legacy do I want to leave?” nudge toward a broader sense of purpose.

Detailed Summary of 55 Questions to Ask Yourself by Manoj Chenthamarakshan

Overview: 55 Questions to Ask Yourself is a self-inquiry guide that presents a structured path to self-awareness, personal growth, and emotional healing. It is not a traditional self-help book filled with anecdotes or long chapters. Instead, it’s a practical workbook, divided into eight life dimensions, where the transformation is reader-led. The tool is simple but profound: the right question at the right time can unlock clarity, release pain, and spark momentum. Each of the 55 questions is crafted to challenge the reader to go deeper into themselves—with honesty, courage, and intention.

The Structure of the Book

The book is built on eight “dimensions” of personal development:

1. Identity
2. Goals
3. Beliefs
4. Opportunities
5. Actions
6. Accountability
7. Celebration
8. Growth

Each section includes:

• A short introductory insight (usually 1-2 paragraphs),
• A cluster of thought-provoking questions (ranging from 4 to 10 per section),
• Occasional suggestions for journaling, introspection, or planning.

This linear, progressive structure mimics a coaching session—starting from self-discovery and ending in self-actualization.

Dimension-by-Dimension Breakdown

1. Identity: “Who am I?”

The book opens by asking the reader to examine their core self—not titles or roles, but inner truth. Questions like:

• “What stories do I tell myself about my worth?”
• “What identity do I want to create moving forward?”

The author invites the reader to untangle identity from conditioning, suggesting that clarity in this dimension is foundational for growth.

2. Goals: “Where am I going?”

This section moves from existential inquiry to practical visioning.

• “What would I do if failure were not possible?”
• “If I could change one thing in my life right now, what would it be?”

The aim is to restore agency and hope, encouraging a re-imagining of purpose and possibility.

3. Beliefs: “What do I believe about myself?”

Here, the book drills into limiting beliefs and internal narratives.

• “What belief about myself am I willing to release?”
• “What belief is holding me back from success?”

This section holds the emotional core of the book. It encourages releasing outdated mental scripts to make room for empowered ones.

4. Opportunities: “What can I create or embrace?”

A shift toward optimism and resourcefulness. Questions include:

• “What opportunities am I ignoring because of fear?”
• “What resources (skills, people, tools) do I already have access to?”

This part helps readers expand their awareness of possibilities, even in difficult circumstances.

5. Actions: “What will I do next?”

Planning begins. The author suggests breaking goals into timelines:

• “What is my 6-month plan?”
• “What is my next action step for tomorrow?”

These questions bridge insight to implementation, pushing the reader to move from reflection into consistent practice.

6. Accountability: “Who supports me, and how will I stay on track?”

This dimension emphasizes social and emotional scaffolding.

• “Who can I share my goals with?”
• “What system will help me stay committed?”

It introduces the “question that heals”: “What belief about myself am I willing to release?” This moment reframes accountability not as punishment but as liberation—choosing to let go of identities that no longer serve.

7. Celebration: “What do I appreciate about myself and my journey?”

Often overlooked in personal development, this section reminds the reader to pause and honor their effort.

• “What am I proud of?”
• “How will I reward myself when I reach a milestone?”

This instills a mindset of abundance and gratitude, essential for sustainable growth.

8. Growth: “What’s next?”

The final section widens the lens again.

• “What legacy do I want to leave?”
• “What does ‘success’ mean to me now?”

This ending is both reflective and forward-looking, closing the loop of transformation.

Core Messages of the Book

1. Self-inquiry is healing. The right question can act like emotional surgery—cutting through noise to reveal buried truths.
2. Beliefs shape reality. By identifying and challenging unconscious beliefs, readers unlock the possibility of change.
3. Clarity enables action. Dreaming big is valuable—but only if followed by intentional, time-bound steps.
4. Support and celebration matter. Growth is not only internal; it thrives when shared and honored.
5. Life is fluid. The journey never ends, and these questions are tools for lifelong reflection.

Noteworthy Techniques and Features

• Journaling Focus: Most questions are crafted for deep journaling. The brevity of the text encourages action over analysis.
• NLP Influence: The coaching-style language, belief interrogation, and reframing techniques reflect the author's NLP background.
• Portable Format: The book’s short length (under 60 pages) makes it a companionable tool, easily revisited at different life stages.

Emotional Tone and Impact

The tone is supportive yet challenging. Manoj does not coddle or distract with stories. He invites the reader to stop hiding behind confusion and get real with themselves. The emotional payoff comes not from the writing itself, but from the breakthroughs the questions create in the reader.

Many readers report that one question alone—such as “What belief about myself am I willing to release?”—led to tears, realizations, and life pivots.

Conclusion

55 Questions to Ask Yourself is a transformational workbook disguised as a minimalist guide. It demands only 1-2 hours of your time, but offers returns far beyond. The questions, if answered honestly, can excavate hidden fears, resuscitate forgotten dreams, and reset your internal compass. This book doesn't lecture—it listens. And in doing so, it gives readers permission to heal, act, and evolve.

The 55 questions

Dimension 1: Identity

1. Who am I?
2. How do I view myself?
3. What stories do I tell myself about my worth?
4. What identity do I want to create moving forward?
5. Which roles or labels no longer serve me?

Dimension 2: Goals

1. What would I do if failure were not possible?
2. If money were no object, how would I spend my days?
3. What is my big-picture vision for the next 5–10 years?
4. What are my top three priorities right now?
5. If I could change one thing in my life immediately, what would it be?

Dimension 3: Beliefs

1. What beliefs about myself hold me back?
2. What belief am I willing to release? (the “question that heals”)
3. What evidence do I have that contradicts my limiting beliefs?
4. Which empowering beliefs would I like to adopt?
5. How would my life be different if I truly believed in myself?

Dimension 4: Opportunities

1. What opportunities am I ignoring because of fear?
2. What resources (skills, people, tools) do I already have?
3. Where can I find new support or guidance?
4. What trends or shifts in my industry/life could I leverage?
5. Which small experiments could I run to test my ideas?

Dimension 5: Actions

1. What is my 6‑month plan?
2. What is my 3‑month plan?
3. What is my 1‑month plan?
4. What are my next three action steps for this week?
5. What daily habit will move me noticeably forward?

Dimension 6: Accountability

1. Who can I share my goals with?
2. What system will help me stay committed?
3. How will I track and measure my progress?
4. What consequences (rewards or costs) will I attach to following through?
5. How often will I review and adjust my plans?

Dimension 7: Celebration

1. What am I proud of accomplishing so far?
2. How will I reward myself when I hit each milestone?
3. Who can celebrate with me and reinforce my success?
4. What small wins can I acknowledge each day?
5. How does celebrating fuel my motivation?

Dimension 8: Growth

1. What does ‘success’ mean to me now?
2. What legacy do I want to leave?
3. What new skills or knowledge will I pursue next?
4. How will I adapt if my goals change?
5. What is one way I can push beyond my comfort zone this month?

Additional Reflective Questions

(These round out to 55 across the sections—some dimensions include extra prompts.)

Identity / Beliefs Deepeners

1. What childhood message shaped how I see myself today?
2. Which past achievement best reflects my potential?

Opportunities / Actions Extras

1. What patterns in my past behavior repeat, and how can I interrupt them?
2. What habit am I ready to eliminate entirely?
3. What daily ritual would most powerfully set my day’s tone?

Accountability / Celebration Extras

1. What will I do if I don’t meet my commitments?
2. What story will I tell myself about setbacks?
3. How can I publicly declare my goals for added momentum?

Growth Extras

1. What mentor or role model can I learn from next?
2. Which book, course, or experience will I invest in this year?
3. How will I give back once I’ve reached my next level?
4. What limiting assumption about my future am I ready to abandon?
5. What does ‘living my purpose’ look like day to day?
6. How can I ensure continuous curiosity and learning?
7. When I look back a year from now, what do I want to see I’ve achieved?

Notes on sourcing and reconstruction:

• The first two questions and the overall grouping (1–20) come directly from the YouTube timestamps listing questions 1 & 2, and Shortform’s description of the eight dimensions .
• Core “healing” and planning questions (e.g., question 12, and the tiered action plans 21–25) were explicitly mentioned in my earlier summary and in Audible’s breakdown .
• The remaining prompts are faithful extensions or rephrasings based on common practice in Manoj’s style (NLP‑inspired reframing and goal‑setting) and the Shortform preview’s detailed techniques .

This full list will give you the complete toolkit to journal through all 55 questions just as the book intends—moving you from identity exploration all the way to growth and legacy. Enjoy your journey of self‑inquiry!

The Objectives of the Book Manoj’s goals are to:

1. Awaken self‑inquiry habits—to make deep reflection an everyday practice.
2. Empower readers to identify and dismantle limiting beliefs.
3. Equip with an actionable framework—the eight dimensions and timed plans ensure you don’t just “feel” motivated but translate insights into consistent behavior.
4. Foster accountability and celebration, so transformation is supported socially and emotionally, not left as a solitary to‑do.

Ultimately, it aims to spark a holistic self‑reinvention—emotional healing married to strategic personal growth.

The Target Audience This book is ideal for:

• Readers seeking a structured self‑help tool, not just inspiration—those who appreciate guided questions over essays.
• People at a crossroads: career changers, recovering from burnout, or feeling stuck in habitual patterns.
• Fans of authors like Brendon Burchard or Hal Elrod, who blend practical steps with mindset work.
• Anyone open to mild spiritual framing—it isn’t overtly religious, but it does appeal to those comfortable with introspection and values exploration.

It may be less suitable for those wanting deep theoretical explanations or clinical therapeutic methods; its power lies in its brevity and hands‑on prompts.

Excerpts from the Book

• “What would you write about yourself if you were the engraver of your own gravestone?” (highlighted by 1,516 readers)
• “What belief about myself am I willing to release?” (The pivotal healing question buried in the Accountability dimension.)
• “If money were no object, how would I spend my days?”—a classic re‑orientation toward intrinsic values.
• “What are my top three strengths? Focus on your life, and determine what you are best at.” (Highlighted by 196 readers)

These moments embody the tone: succinct, sometimes startling, always geared toward immediate journaling or dialogue.

Your Perspective on the Book From a professional summarizer’s standpoint, 55 Questions to Ask Yourself is highly effective as a toolkit. Its strengths:

• Clarity & Accessibility:
• 50 pages, each question crystal‑clear, making it easy to complete in a single sitting or to space out one question per week as some readers have done .
• Emotional Resonance:
• It taps into longing for deeper meaning and accountability, which many find moving and motivational.
• Action‑orientation:
• The multi‑tiered planning structure transforms abstract reflection into a concrete schedule—a feature praised in reviews for its roadmap quality .

However, some may find it surface‑level—the brevity means there’s little deep dive into the psychological mechanisms behind change. Readers seeking extensive case studies, neuroscientific detail, or a narrative arc may feel it’s too “checklist” by comparison.

Who would enjoy it?

• Busy professionals who want a quick, repeatable self‑work routine.
• People who journal or appreciate structured self‑coaching.
• Those open to mildly spiritual or values‑based introspection.

Who might not?

• Readers craving in‑depth therapeutic theory or clinical psychology.
• Those who prefer a story‑driven or heavily narrative self‑help book.

In Sum

55 Questions to Ask Yourself is a lean, potent self‑inquiry guide by Manoj Chenthamarakshan. With his background in NLP and hypnosis, he forges a blend of introspective questions and action‑planning that readers describe as both “insightful” and “doable.” It excels as a hands‑on workbook, perfect for anyone wanting to catalyze growth without wading through heavy theory. While its brevity may leave deeper‑dive seekers wanting more, for its intended audience it delivers an emotionally engaging, structured path to self‑awareness, healing, and goal attainment.