The Power of Good Questions

In our day-to-day life, we ask and are asked by others a myriad of questions. Most of which get us through the day but don’t require any deep thought. What do you want for dinner? What time is our call? Is that report finished? Have you seen my phone?

And then there are those questions that make us stop in our tracks. You know the ones. The question is asked and you stop what you’re doing and think, “I don’t know” or “I’ve never thought about that” or you just pause, get quiet, maybe turn your head to the side a bit and look off in the distance, as you … think. 

Those questions. Those are the ones that stretch us, help us grow as human beings, and deepen our experience of life. They can also disrupt our comfortable lives, interrupt our carefully laid out plans, or wake us from our slow slide into numbness.

These can be big life questions like: Why am I here? Am I doing what I am meant to do? What is my purpose or mission in life? 

They can also be questions that we ask ourselves or ask each other as part of daily or weekly routines to help us remain grounded, connected, and curious. 

If things are feeling a bit stale or maybe you’re a little restless or adrift, here are a few questions to ponder: 

• What are you celebrating? (Look back over your day or your week and find something to celebrate.) 

• What is one thing you could do today to spread a little joy or compassion? 

• What are you learning? (A deceptively simple sounding question. Ask this one frequently and you may be surprised by your answers.) 

What other good questions are you (or could you be) asking yourself? Drop them in the comments.. I would love to hear what they are.