The Power of Questions
December 11, 2023
Many people tell themselves what they want to do. They may tell themselves they will exercise this week or say to themselves that they will eat well. You’d all agree that this is what most people do…they TELL themselves.
I have a question for you to consider. Is telling yourself to do something the most effective way to help or motivate yourself to do what you tell yourself?
Maybe not.
Instead of simply telling yourself what to do, you instead ask questions that lead you to discover your solutions and establish your behaviors around the questions you ask.
This is the essence of the “Ask, don’t tell” approach.
Here’s how it can influence behavior:
1. Self-Reflection: When we ask questions, we encourage reflection on our actions and decisions. For instance, rather than telling yourself that you should exercise more, you could ask, “Am I incorporating enough physical activity into my life to achieve the results I desire?” This prompts you to think about your actions and behaviours towards your goals, the benefits of your actions (or negative consequences of inaction), and shows your willingness to change.
2. Ownership: Questions empower you to take ownership of your choices. For example, instead of instructing, “You need to eat more fruits and vegetables,” you might ask, “How can you incorporate more fruits and veggies into your meals?” This shift in language makes you an active participant in your decision-making process.
3. Problem Solving: Asking questions can lead to problem-solving. When faced with a challenge, posing questions like, “What do you think could be a solution here?” encourages creative thinking and generates potential strategies. And this type of questioning can enhance most things in the health and fitness space.
4. Goal Clarity: Questions help you clarify your goals and priorities. For instance, asking, “What’s the most important aspect of my health that I need to focus on right now?” can guide you in setting clear objectives.
5. Motivation and Commitment: Answering questions often leads to a commitment to action. When you verbalise your intentions, you’re more likely to follow through. For example, asking, “What steps are you willing to take to achieve your goal?” prompts a commitment if you are serious about change.
6. Building Rapport: A conversation based on questions builds rapport and trust. It shows that you respect others’ perspectives and value their input, which can improve your relationship.
Asking yourself, over telling yourself, is a powerful tool for influencing behaviour. It fosters self-reflection, ownership, problem-solving, goal clarity, motivation, and trust. The next time you’re in a position where you are telling yourself to do something, why not stop and start asking yourself some meaningful questions that will really help guide your path? Questions really do have the potential to unlock solutions and create lasting change. It’s a winning combination for success in many aspects of life.
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The Power of Questions
December 11, 2023
Many people tell themselves what they want to do. They may tell themselves they will exercise this week or say to themselves that they will eat well. You’d all agree that this is what most people do…they TELL themselves.
I have a question for you to consider. Is telling yourself to do something the most effective way to help or motivate yourself to do what you tell yourself?
Maybe not.
Instead of simply telling yourself what to do, you instead ask questions that lead you to discover your solutions and establish your behaviors around the questions you ask.
This is the essence of the “Ask, don’t tell” approach.
Here’s how it can influence behavior:
1. Self-Reflection: When we ask questions, we encourage reflection on our actions and decisions. For instance, rather than telling yourself that you should exercise more, you could ask, “Am I incorporating enough physical activity into my life to achieve the results I desire?” This prompts you to think about your actions and behaviours towards your goals, the benefits of your actions (or negative consequences of inaction), and shows your willingness to change.
2. Ownership: Questions empower you to take ownership of your choices. For example, instead of instructing, “You need to eat more fruits and vegetables,” you might ask, “How can you incorporate more fruits and veggies into your meals?” This shift in language makes you an active participant in your decision-making process.
3. Problem Solving: Asking questions can lead to problem-solving. When faced with a challenge, posing questions like, “What do you think could be a solution here?” encourages creative thinking and generates potential strategies. And this type of questioning can enhance most things in the health and fitness space.
4. Goal Clarity: Questions help you clarify your goals and priorities. For instance, asking, “What’s the most important aspect of my health that I need to focus on right now?” can guide you in setting clear objectives.
5. Motivation and Commitment: Answering questions often leads to a commitment to action. When you verbalise your intentions, you’re more likely to follow through. For example, asking, “What steps are you willing to take to achieve your goal?” prompts a commitment if you are serious about change.
6. Building Rapport: A conversation based on questions builds rapport and trust. It shows that you respect others’ perspectives and value their input, which can improve your relationship.
Asking yourself, over telling yourself, is a powerful tool for influencing behaviour. It fosters self-reflection, ownership, problem-solving, goal clarity, motivation, and trust. The next time you’re in a position where you are telling yourself to do something, why not stop and start asking yourself some meaningful questions that will really help guide your path? Questions really do have the potential to unlock solutions and create lasting change. It’s a winning combination for success in many aspects of life.
