Finding the Solutions by Asking the Right Questions

finding-solution1

We need to ask the right questions to get the right answers.

If you think you have the problem figured out and are convinced that you do, think again. Whether it’s a technical, relationship, or philosophical problem, asking better questions is a key to successful problem solving and to winning any battle.

Actress and political activist Vanessa Redgrave was quoted saying, “Ask the right questions if you’re going to find the right answers.”

Now, how does one learn to ask better questions?

 

finding-kay1

Do Not Limit.


We so often say to ourselves things like:

finding-icon1 Why can’t I afford it?

finding-icon1 Why can’t I ever lose weight?

finding-icon1 Why can I never get it right?

finding-icon1 Why am I never lucky?

These questions and statements we ask are extremely limiting. That is, when you ask a question to yourself, your mind will come up with an answer and possibly many answers, but are these the answers that you need?

It is so important that we learn to ask ourselves better questions.

For example instead of, “Why can’t I afford it?” we can ask, “How can I afford it?”

Instead of asking, “Why can’t I ever lose weight?” ask, “What do I need to be doing differently to begin losing weight?” or, “What one thing can I do today to improve my health?”

You see, if you ask, “Why can’t I afford it?” you will probably add more negative thoughts to your already discouraged attitude: “Because my salary is too low and because I have too much financial obligations.” But if you ask, “How can I afford it?” your mind will start to think of creative ways for you to be able to “afford” that investment or vacation. Never begin with a limiting question. Always believe that there is a creative way out of your problem.

finding-solution2

Related Article: Becoming the Best Version of You

finding-kay1

Be Humble and Objective.
Do Not Judge or Assume.


The same principle is true when dealing with people. We often approach employees, colleagues, or even friends whom we have some kind of problem with, with personal assumptions about them. We judge them to be lazy, narrow minded, or selfish, and when the need to settle an issue comes, we ask the most judgmental questions that do not lead to creative solutions. For example:

finding-icon1 Why can’t you submit on time?

finding-icon1 Why can’t you be more creative?

finding-icon1 Why do you always make things difficult for me?

Whatever situation we are in, we should never assume that we know everything or assume that we are perfect and correct. Be extremely careful to not assume that someone has bad intentions, or that someone cannot have something positive to offer. Instead, we should keep our minds open and try our best to be very objective. Learn to be humble. Ask and be willing to listen (or be the one to improve):

finding-icon1 Why is your work late again? (And be sincere in wanting to know why.) What can we do to avoid late submissions?

finding-icon1 How can we boost creativity in our workplace?

finding-icon1 How can we improve our communication?

Wrong assumptions or unfair assumptions whether regarding ourselves or other people lead to a dead end where no problem can be solved. This is “possibility” thinking which gets us asking our minds to find a solution to a problem, instead of focus on limitations.

finding-solution3

 

finding-kay3

Shift to Positive Gear.


Yes, we are not in the practise of asking quality questions and have been strongly conditioned to negative thoughts and limitation thinking. So, before we begin asking questions we need to put ourselves in a positive frame of mind by again asking questions about our own lives:

finding-icon1 What am I happy about in my life right now?

finding-icon1 What could I be grateful for in my life?

finding-icon1 What are some things, which I have achieved in my life previously, which prove that if I put my mind to something and take action, I know I can get it done?

Questions like these immediately shift your mind to gratitude, and in this frame of mind, possibilities open up.

finding-solution4

finding-kay3

Question Like Socrates.


Don’t be afraid to ask questions that lead to more questions. Such is the cradle of ingenious ideas and discoveries. In education, there is a questioning style derived from the great philosopher Socrates: Socratic questions. These help us explore a matter deeper and wider by questioning our assumptions or by proving them.

finding-icon1 Socratic questioning technique usually asks to:

finding-icon1 Clarify – ‘Could you explain further?’

finding-icon1 Challenge or prove – Why do you think this is so? Where did you base that conclusion?

finding-icon1 Consider other possibilities or alternatives – Is there another way to look at this?

finding-icon1 Consider consequences – How will this affect our company culture?

finding-icon1 Question questions – Why was that question important?

By now you should have noticed that the main key to asking better questions rests in an open mind and humble heart, a person that is willing to admit that he or she does not have everything figured out. Better questions begin with a willingness to consider alternate routes that one has not been considered before, or one has believed yet to be possible. Also, sometimes the solution is right in front of our eyes, but we just are not ready to believe that it is possible. One question we can ask ourselves in the midst of doubt is, “What have I got to lose if I give up my cowardice and timidity?” And the answer is, nothing really, but you have everything to gain.

finding-solution5

finding-kay3

Never Give Up.


Last but not least, do not quit asking questions until you find yourself with a clearer mind and a better grasp of your situation. If Albert Einstein admitted that, “If I had an hour to solve a problem I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions,” it’s okay for the rest of us to do the same. It is a humbling process. Persevere and soon you’ll see a ray of light. Just remember to never impose limitations on yourself, to always question your assumptions, and to be willing to look at things from a different perspective. And always, always ask yourself the question, “Am tI asking the right questions?”

 

finding-solution6

 

Other Interesting Reads:

Take Back Today: Stop the Habit of Procrastination
Failure is Nothing To Be Afraid Of
How People React to Failure

I want to grow my wealth:

I want to improve my life:

Improve Your Life eBook Bundle
[related_posts_by_tax posts_per_page="3" format="thumbnails" image_size="large"]