The 3 questions you need to start asking and answering everyday
If your reading this, it is likely that you want to get better at something. I want you to stop reading this for 5 seconds and imagine what that thing is that you want to get better at. Have an image of it or the name of it in your mind. Can you see it?
Now, I would like you to keep that image in your mind as you continue reading this article. We will be discussing the 3 questions that will help you achieve what you see. But it all has to start with you seeing it! Now that that you can see it, lets dive in!
So why is asking questions so important? Simply put, it is the way we seek and learn information. In a study on the value of asking questions by Keith G. Kozminski from the University of Virginia, he identified that even from the days of Socrates, questions were the best way to seek and learn new information,
“Questions were a means to educate his (Socrates) students by drawing out their understanding of a subject and then leading them to discover a set of logical conclusions instead of lecturing them on what is true and false”
From the same study, the author writes “questioning helps bring the true spirit of science”. (see Reference 1). Questions are incredibly important because they not only teach us past and present information but also help in leading us to uncover new information.
Think about a recent question you asked, maybe it was to inquire about the time or to ask for directions or maybe you asked a deeper question like why certain things are happening or how can you be better at something. I just asked you a question earlier about being able to see whatever it is that you want to improve on. Questions are the first step in learning from our past, understanding the present, and creating a better tomorrow.
“It is easier to judge the mind of a man by his questions rather than his answer”
Have you ever thought about how many questions we encounter in a day? In a study done in England (see Reference 2), it was discovered that the individual who gets asked the most questions is… can you guess it… if you guessed mothers than your right! Mothers get asked just over 300 questions every day and face a question every 2 minutes and 36 seconds. That’s a lot of questions! Just as interesting, in this study it was discovered that the individuals who ask the most questions were 4 year old girls, asking a whooping 390 questions per day, which equates to a question every 1 minute and 56 seconds of their waking day!
RANDOM FUN FACT: According to this study in England, these are the toughest questions mothers get asked. Good luck mom!
The five toughest questions mothers get asked:
1) Why is water wet?
2) Where does the sky end?
3) What are shadows made of?
4) Why is the sky blue?
5) How do fish breathe under water?
So, think about your day, how many questions do you get asked? How many questions do you ask? It can be daunting to think about the sheer quantity of questions we encounter on a daily basis. In the barrage of questions, which ones can actually help you the most? Remember, that the purpose of questions is to seek and learn information. So which questions are actually helping you the most?
In my work with high level athletes and extremely successful business people, I have found that if you want to increase your performance and be better today than yesterday, these are the 3 questions you need to ask and answer every single day.
1) What is working?
2) What do I need to STOP doing?
3) What do I need to START doing?
Asking and answering these questions will help you identify the blueprint for daily success by helping you outline the areas and specific things in your life that are working for you and then help you effectively set practical action steps (not just goals, but real daily actions) that will help you improve everyday.
These 3 questions can transform your day! I have been using these questions on a daily basis and I have personally noticed myself looking at the positives in my life and more easily identify things I am grateful for, as well as pick out specific actions that I need to stop and start doing that will help me be better today.
I want to challenge you to ask and answer these 3 questions every day and see for yourself how powerful these questions can be! If you want to get better and improve your game, these are the questions to ask! Remember that specifc thing I had you think about in the beginning of this article, bring that back to you attention if it isn’t already there, and ask yourself these 3 questions in relation to that thing you imagined and get started on being a better you!
If your ready to take your performance to the next level? Do you need help answering or executing any of these 3 Questions? Are you ready to perform at your peak every day, but may not know exactly how?
We can help! Follow the link below to set up a consultation with a Mental Strength Coach now!
References:
1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3596240/
2) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9959026/Mothers-asked-nearly-300-questions-a-day-study-finds.html