This past week has been full of opportunities for me to ask questions. More than usual, it would seem. Some questions have been easier to ask, while I found the thought of others to be intimidating. So many different responses are possible.
But instead of over thinking potential responses, I said a prayer and asked the questions! And do you know what?! The results were phenomenal!
At the beginning of the week, there were many unknowns and not a lot of direction. And then slowly but surely as I worked my way through the week I got some necessary questions asked – and the responses were better than I could have hoped! It truly was exciting!
Now I have answers and direction as to what to do next! And that direction is priceless! Instead of being full of questions, I’m excited to be making progress in pursuing the direction that has been revealed to me!
Keep in mind, your job is only half completed by asking the question. After you’ve asked you have to pin down an answer – and answers have the potential to be quite evasive! Think of it this way, questions are typically asked due to uncertainties. Some questions have simple yes / no answers, while others seek a whole new level of decisive thought. The answer is the goal of the question. In order to complete your task you must be able to pin down an answer!
Just Show Up
I don’t know about you, but the fear of what answer I might receive can really keep me from asking some questions. And I find that concern can hold me back far more than I would like.
But this concern is something I am making an effort to change! Instead of letting the worry of what a response might be, I want to ask questions confidently knowing that, whether I would choose the answer or not, it does give direction. Answers either confirm a request or they deny that request and compel you to look for the answer elsewhere.
And that direction is exciting! It pushes and stretches us to be more than we can imagine! That perspective of asking questions really excites me! Just imagine how much further we can go if we ask questions more boldly and confidently! Yes, we will receive negative responses and set backs, but we will go so much farther than if we just wait for things to be handed to us!
Just show up – business advice that I have read over and over again. Show up and be available to people, show up and offer solutions, show up and do your job remarkably well! So much can be accomplished if you keep showing up!
Developing the Art of Asking Questions
Have you ever had ideas or thoughts about something, but the apprehension of what others responses might be has held you back and kept you quiet? I’ve certainly fallen into this trap – more times than I care to consider. And the thought of those experiences can make me want to keep quiet and not risk looking foolish.
But that is not the proper response to have! Not if your goal is to fulfill your life’s purpose to the very best of your ability! That is certainly my goal – and I hope it is yours too!
So how can we develop this vital talent into an art? Practice! As you get more comfortable with asking questions you will get better at it. And you will only improve your skills by practicing them.
I was listening to a business training earlier this week and the topic was whether a person could develop confidence or if they were just out of luck if they were not an outgoing person. The conclusion of course was that, although some people were naturally more outgoing and confident than others, it is a life skill that can be developed. God doesn’t create defective people – some able to live to their full potential and others not.
Just as confidence can be learned and developed, so can the art of asking questions and pinning down answers! Some skills are harder to learn and master than others, but that simply means that it will be more of a victory as we master them! Instead of hesitating over asking questions, let’s focus on pinning down answers! After all, answers propel us into action!
Moving Forward
As we move through this week and the weeks ahead, let’s be mindful to the questions that we have and boldly ask them. Send that email, schedule that call, arrange that meeting and show up. Asking questions can be enormously motivating in helping us to pursue the opportunities in front of us!
The remarkable responses this week, the progress that was made, the direction that was ascertained, has left me pondering what other questions do I need to ask?!
And I could ask you the same thing – what questions do you need to ask?! I’d love it if you would share below! Do you find some questions difficult to ask? Is it hard to pin down an answer? Have you developed a skill that has made this easier? Please share!
Until Next Time!
Hope.