There are three things, say researchers, that inspire athletes to perform at their peak, students to learn at their best and medical patients to get the most out of treatment. What are they? A sense of confidence, freedom and connection. The research also suggests that few of us have consistent levels of all three in the different spheres in which we move. Some of us feel eminently competent at work, for example, but awkward and fumbly from the moment we walk into a gym.

The good news is that by identifying the gaps in particular areas of your life—and this questionnaire was designed by the psychologists at the Center for Motivation and Change to focus on fitness, diet and stress management—you'll be better equipped to achieve your goals and feel better in the process.