Everyone carries a deep, personal question they’ve been asking—silently—for as long as they can remember. It’s not just any question. It’s your Primal Question.
Your Primal Question shapes how you see the world, how you make decisions, and how you show up in relationships. When you finally understand it, everything begins to make sense—your patterns, your reactions, your strengths, and even the things that keep getting in your way.
Let’s break it down.
What Is a Primal Question?
Your Primal Question is a simple but powerful thought that has been running in the background of your mind since early childhood. It formed from your earliest experiences—from the messages, emotions, and dynamics you absorbed growing up.
There are seven Primal Questions:
Am I safe?
Am I secure?
Am I loved?
Am I wanted?
Am I successful?
Am I good enough?
Do I have a purpose?
Whichever one is yours becomes the lens through which you interpret the world. It influences how you respond to stress, how you relate to others, and what you chase—or avoid.
How Your Primal Question Shapes You
Think of your Primal Question like a filter you wear every day. It colors how you interpret situations, conversations, and challenges.
If your Primal Question is “Am I safe?”, you may always be preparing for the worst or feel uneasy in unfamiliar situations.
If it’s “Am I loved?”, you might work hard to make others happy so you feel connected and valued.
If it’s “Am I good enough?”, you may push yourself relentlessly—sometimes beyond what’s healthy.
Each Primal Question has a:
Core need
Core fear
“Kryptonite” (the thing that emotionally destabilizes you most)
For example, someone with “Am I loved?” as their Primal Question often has:
Core Need: To feel known, seen, and emotionally connected
Core Fear: Being dismissed, ignored, or unseen
Kryptonite: Indifference
Once you understand your own pattern, you can begin shifting from reaction… to choice.
Why Knowing Your Primal Question Matters
Self-awareness isn’t just insightful—it’s transformational.
Understanding your Primal Question helps you:
Improve your relationships
Recognize your patterns, react more intentionally, and communicate more clearly.Build confidence
Stop second-guessing yourself and start trusting your instincts.Make better decisions
Pause and choose rather than acting out of old habits or fears.Break unhealthy cycles
When you understand the “why,” you can finally change the “what.”
This is one of the simplest, most accurate ways to understand why you are the way you are—and to begin transforming your life.
Take the Primal Questions Assessment
You can discover your Primal Question in under 10 minutes.
Our assessment is fast, research-backed, and used by thousands of leaders, coaches, and teams around the world.
You’ll receive a personalized result identifying your Primal Question along with immediate insights to help you start your growth journey.
Average completion time: 8.8 minutes
TAKE FREE ASSESSMENT HERE
Work Directly With Paula Moses, PhD
When you’re ready for deeper transformation, you’ll be matched with Paula Moses, PhD, a Certified Primal Question Coach. Paula will personally guide you through discovering your Primal Truth, activating your Primal Gift, and applying these insights to your relationships and life.
Apply to work with Paula