Why ask questions?
Here are some 5 good reasons (6 actually) that I found for asking questions. They are my lessons from some mistakes I made when I did not ask questions and good choices I made by asking [.......]
1. Asking questions help us make informed decisions
Many of us have good intentions but if we do not ask questions, we may find ourselves acting like the second “kind and smart” Conductor in the story. We may assume we know what’s ‘wrong’ with people and move quickly to offer them counsel without asking first to understand their problem. We may assume we know what to do to fix the problem and dive into action without asking those who have done it before. We may move too quick to correct our teachers only to realize later that we have misfired. We may believe a rumour and adopt a trend without first researching the facts behind them and so on and so forth. If we don't ask questions, we make decisions based on assumptions and assumption, they say, is the lowest level of knowledge. Asking questions does not only help us make informed decisions, not asking could mean losing a job, landing a lawsuit or ruining a great relationship.
2. Asking questions saves us from making costly mistakes
When we fail to ask questions we run the risk of making costly mistakes and may end up doing more harm than good to the very people we seek to help. Even gestures of kindness can break great friendships if given without understanding of individual needs. Good intentions must be backed up with good answers to accomplish a good cause Some businesses have paid huge legal fines and suffered losses because a staff failed to ask the right questions before making decisions. Even if you are the smartest cookie or genius in your team, it will still help you to ask questions. Quite often, it is the self-confident member of the team who run the greatest risk of making the biggest mistakes. Besides, asking does not mean we are gullible as some might think. Rather, asking questions shows you are smart. Smart people ask but stupid people keep quiet.
3. Asking question is key to creativity
It was George Bernard Shaw who once said "Some see things as they are and ask why but I dream of things that never were and ask why not"? Creativity is born of curiosity. Those who are satisfied with the way things are never create anything new and never really bring about change. As we begin the last quarter of 2011 and look forward to a better life in 2012, this is a good time to stop and ask we did right and what we can do better regarding our relationships, health, finance or faith.Start asking question to create a brand new you in the coming year!
4. Asking questions saves time and trouble
I know some people who would rather walk every isle in a mall just to find what they are looking for. I have learned to save myself that time and trouble by simply asking a shop attendant. I recommend you do the same if you do not already do so. Next time you go shopping and you find yourself wandering, stop and ask a shop- attendant: “where may I find so and so”? It’s smarter than walking down every isle in the mall looking for a single item. It will reduce your shopping time and add to your knowledge and shopping experience. Next time you want to file your taxes, ask a professional, “how may I file my taxes for best results”? The answers you get may save you money and legal trouble that you might incur if you jump into filing your own taxes or fail to file altogether.
5. Asking questions provide the answers we seek
This point sounds rather basic but it is worthy of note. If we do not ask questions, we will not get answers. It's that simple. But the most important thing to note however, is that the questions we ask determine the answers we get. The answers we seek may not come unless we ask the questions that will bring them out. The answers we get are limited by the questions we ask. For example, if I ask myself “why am I broke and in debt”? I could get up to a hundred answers like: “because I spend money recklessly”, “because I earn a small salary”, “because my bills are too many”, “because my parents are not rich”, “because I did not go to college” and so on. As you might notice, these answers, as true as they may be, are just a bunch of information and will not change my situation. They only tell me “WHY” the problem is which in most cases are what I already know.
Suppose I ask myself “what can I do to be debt-free”? I might get answers like “draw up a budget”, “plan my spending”, “start a business” “go to school”, “ write a book”, “change my job”, “change my location”, “ask a successful professional”, “join force with another” and so on. As you might notice, these are action-filled answers. They tell me “WHAT” to do to change my situation. They don’t tell me why the PROBLEMS exists but what I can do about the problem which is the answer I really need to accomplish my financial freedom goal.
6. Asking questions is antidote to stress
Yes, asking questions is a good for our health. Some people try to re-invent the will and end up stressing themselves out in the process but truth is whatever we are trying to accomplish, somebody has either done it or is doing it. So we are avoid the stress by asking questions. Isn't that why we have libraries to browse the minds of those gone ahead? With the prevailing national and international security, economy, politics, health and faith struggles many people are confused and stressed, no doubt. Rather than sit and worry over these issues, we would do ourselves favour if we just ask questions and pick ideas from good sources. But the question is 'who knows the answer, really?
I know some people who would rather walk every isle in a mall just to find what they are looking for. I have learned to save myself that time and trouble by simply asking a shop attendant. I recommend you do the same if you do not already do so. Next time you go shopping and you find yourself wandering, stop and ask a shop- attendant: “where may I find so and so”? It’s smarter than walking down every isle in the mall looking for a single item. It will reduce your shopping time and add to your knowledge and shopping experience. Next time you want to file your taxes, ask a professional, “how may I file my taxes for best results”? The answers you get may save you money and legal trouble that you might incur if you jump into filing your own taxes or fail to file altogether.
5. Asking questions provide the answers we seek
This point sounds rather basic but it is worthy of note. If we do not ask questions, we will not get answers. It's that simple. But the most important thing to note however, is that the questions we ask determine the answers we get. The answers we seek may not come unless we ask the questions that will bring them out. The answers we get are limited by the questions we ask. For example, if I ask myself “why am I broke and in debt”? I could get up to a hundred answers like: “because I spend money recklessly”, “because I earn a small salary”, “because my bills are too many”, “because my parents are not rich”, “because I did not go to college” and so on. As you might notice, these answers, as true as they may be, are just a bunch of information and will not change my situation. They only tell me “WHY” the problem is which in most cases are what I already know.
Suppose I ask myself “what can I do to be debt-free”? I might get answers like “draw up a budget”, “plan my spending”, “start a business” “go to school”, “ write a book”, “change my job”, “change my location”, “ask a successful professional”, “join force with another” and so on. As you might notice, these are action-filled answers. They tell me “WHAT” to do to change my situation. They don’t tell me why the PROBLEMS exists but what I can do about the problem which is the answer I really need to accomplish my financial freedom goal.
6. Asking questions is antidote to stress
Yes, asking questions is a good for our health. Some people try to re-invent the will and end up stressing themselves out in the process but truth is whatever we are trying to accomplish, somebody has either done it or is doing it. So we are avoid the stress by asking questions. Isn't that why we have libraries to browse the minds of those gone ahead? With the prevailing national and international security, economy, politics, health and faith struggles many people are confused and stressed, no doubt. Rather than sit and worry over these issues, we would do ourselves favour if we just ask questions and pick ideas from good sources. But the question is 'who knows the answer, really?
Next week: Who You Ask Matters
Not only is asking question important, who you ask also matters. We could ask our friends, our profession, our society, our school, our church or our forecasters. The answers you get will also depend on who you are asking. Who are you asking your most important questions?
Enjoy your week and see you next time!
You can reach me at everydaylifeblogging@gmail.com
Not only is asking question important, who you ask also matters. We could ask our friends, our profession, our society, our school, our church or our forecasters. The answers you get will also depend on who you are asking. Who are you asking your most important questions?
Enjoy your week and see you next time!
You can reach me at everydaylifeblogging@gmail.com
