All day long, we’re asking questions of ourselves, of others, and of life. Pay attention to the quality of those questions. They are tools for building the lives we want. If you ask yourself more helpful questions, you will get more useful answers. If you are fully present and attentive as you ask others questions and listen deeply to their answers, you will learn more and build greater bonds. If you ask richer questions about life, you will have a deeper understanding.
Circumstances are tools for your growth.
Why me?
If something unfortunate happens, many would ask: Why me? Of course, the quality of that question is unhelpful. A more empowering question would be: What’s in this for me? Then, your mind can go into all the possibilities and potential outcomes. With them in mind, you can find meaning and alchemize almost any circumstance into gold.
Think about where you’ve transformed hardship into beauty. Reflect on where you can do that now. If you believe everything is for your greatest good, you can spin everything positively. Having a positive attitude and mindset will fuel better outcomes.
Why not me?
If some good fortune kisses another, many would ask: Why not me? A more empowering question would be: What can I do to create the good fortune I desire? Then, think about all the good fortune that already embraces you. Think about all you have to be grateful for. List it. Journal about it. Bask in it. The more you feel kissed by fate, the more joy and celebration you can bring to life’s party. When others thrive, you can sincerely delight in their victories without internal strife.
Use questions as tools for empowerment.
Many people struggle with an inner dialogue that holds them back and takes them away from feeling joy and peace. It is said that we think over 60,000 thoughts a day. Many are repetitive, unkind, and unhelpful. Become aware of these inner thought patterns.
Consciously turn your thoughts into supportive questions.
For example, if you have weight to lose, your thoughts might loop around self-criticism and harsh judgment. They may ask: Why can’t I stick to a diet? How can I ever lose this weight? Higher quality questions would be: How is my body becoming lean and strong? How am I developing my commitment to being healthy and showing up as my best? Your mind will then go to work, providing you with constructive ideas. You will feel more hopeful and dedicated to becoming as you imagine yourself to be.
If your inner nag drones on about your finances, ask more empowering questions. How am I earning so much money? How am I saving and investing successfully?
If your inner critic pokes at you about love, connection, and belonging, ask constructive questions. How am I building meaningful relationships? How am I creating abundant love in my life?
If you think toxic thoughts or ask harsh, unhelpful questions, you will feel defeated before you even begin. Instead, ask yourself the kinds of questions an interviewer would about how you succeeded at greatness. You will find answers and ways to achieve what you desire. Your mind will create pathways to success. Whatever problems or challenges you face, come up with questions that can produce the answers and results you’re after. Ask questions in present tense as if you are already creating the results you desire. The quality of your questions determines the beauty of your outcomes. Open to the vast possibilities and ask high-quality questions that empower you.