Ask good questions
Sometimes we think that in order to become wiser, we need to have the right answers. But right answers to wrong questions are not very useful, are they?
"The key to wisdom", as John Simone said, "is knowing all the right questions."
Questions are powerful tools. They can point to possibilities, encourage self reflection and growth, ignite hope and lead to new insights. They can also confuse issues, destroy hope and keep us stuck in bad assumptions.
Imagine that you are looking at a new project – either work related or personal goals related.
Consider the difference between these questions relating to the project or goal:
Question 1: Can I?
Question 2: How can I?
"At first glance, the questions Can I? and How can I? may appear to be very similar", writes John Maxwell in his book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential. "The reality is that they are worlds apart in terms of results. Can I? is a question filled with hesitation and doubt. It is a question that imposes limitations. If that is the question you regularly ask yourself, you're undermining your efforts before you even begin. How many people could have accomplished much in life but failed to try because they doubted and answered no to the question 'Can I?'
When you ask yourself, 'How can I?' you give yourself a fighting chance to achieve something. The most common reason people don't overcome the odds is that they don't challenge them enough. They don't test their limits. They don't push their capacity. How can I? assumes there is a way. You just need to find it."
These days I am practicing asking myself "how can I" regarding projects that I am working on and things that I want to get done.
It really is amazing how much difference asking the right question can make.
For the rest of this month, let us explore the questions we can ask ourselves to reach our full potential at work, in service and in relationships.
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