{"id":14194,"date":"2013-05-29T22:12:13","date_gmt":"2013-05-30T06:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=14194"},"modified":"2013-05-29T22:12:13","modified_gmt":"2013-05-30T06:12:13","slug":"how-to-ask-yourself-great-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-to-ask-yourself-great-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Ask Yourself Great Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In my life coaching training program<\/a>, one of my first homework assignments was to make a list of 100 empowering questions<\/i> we could ask clients in coaching sessions.\u00a0 These are open-ended questions that generally begin with the word how<\/i>, why<\/i> or what<\/i>.\u00a0 They elicit more than a yes, no or simple answer.<\/p>\n

These deep and powerful questions can help us connect with who we really are: our true selves.\u00a0 They can also help clarify our values and stimulate creativity.<\/p>\n

I figured I would blaze through this assignment initially, putting down as many questions as I could.\u00a0 In fact, that was all we were required to do.\u00a0 Fortunately, I took this assignment a step further\u2026<\/p>\n

Going deep
\n<\/b>I thought to myself: what if I really focused on something that I<\/i> wanted to shift or change in my own life?\u00a0 This birthed my first question: what is it that I want?\u00a0 <\/i>Instead of jumping right to another question, I contemplated this one for a while.<\/p>\n

In thinking about my private practice, my answer was <\/i>\u201cto have an attractive website where potential clients can learn things about themselves and reality, and where they can get a good sense of how I can help them.\u201d\u00a0 Despite the satisfaction my answer brought, it naturally brought to mind another question: how can I get that?<\/i><\/p>\n

My response was: \u201cthrough carefully planning out my site, including writing good and engaging copy, having nice graphics, a good layout, and a site that offers them [clients] something they haven\u2019t gotten elsewhere.\u201d\u00a0 Again, I noticed another question welling up inside in response: what stands in my way?<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cOverwhelm.\u00a0 I feel overwhelmed by all there is to do.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know where to start.\u00a0 Or\u00a0if I do, I find myself having to take a step back and do more before I can lay down a foundation. There\u2019s an attitude of perfectionism which may be connected to my wanting to do it right…\u201d<\/p>\n

Interestingly, things were getting stirred up.\u00a0 Each answer brought to mind another empowering question. \u00a0I would sit and ponder each until it was fully answered.\u00a0 An inner dialog had inadvertently developed.<\/p>\n

Destination unknown
\n<\/b>In the end, I went somewhere I didn\u2019t expect to go and gained clarity in the process.\u00a0 The assignment obviously took much longer than anticipated. \u00a0But, I was much more immersed in it than if I had simply rattled off a list of questions.<\/p>\n

My takeaway was that I could turn to this process of asking empowering questions whenever I wanted to shift, change or examine something in my life.\u00a0 I could also offer it as an exercise to future clients.<\/p>\n

Your turn
\n<\/b>I invite you to follow the process I used.\u00a0 First, think about something you\u2019d like to shift, change or more closely examine in your life.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re stuck, then simply start with this question: \u201cwhat do I want to shift, change or really look at in my life?<\/i>\u201d\u00a0 Consider either the problem or issue at hand, or the end goal or ideal outcome.<\/p>\n

After giving this serious thought, actually write down (or type) an answer to this question.\u00a0 This will help make your inquiry more tangible<\/i>, getting it out of your head.\u00a0 It also allows you to go back and review previous questions more easily.<\/p>\n

Next question please
\n<\/b>Next, let the answer guide you to the next logical question.\u00a0 If the next question doesn\u2019t come easily, consider what someone else might ask you based on your answer.<\/p>\n

If you notice that the questions get deeper and more difficult to answer as you proceed, then this is a good sign.<\/p>\n

However, if an answer doesn\u2019t come at all, really sit with or sleep on the question.\u00a0 Return to the inquiry at another time. \u00a0Ironically, this might help you answer the question, even if you\u2019ve forgotten all about it.<\/p>\n

Each answer can be as long or as short as it needs to be.\u00a0 The key is giving every question sufficient time to marinate in your mind.<\/p>\n

All done?
\n<\/b>So, how do you know when you\u2019re done?\u00a0 Well, it has little to do with how many questions you\u2019ve answered.\u00a0 Overall, you should feel satisfied with the process, even if you don\u2019t like or agree with all of your answers.<\/p>\n

This might mean that something gets stirred up, you see the problem or issue in a new light, you internalize what you know intellectually, you gain insight, etc.\u00a0 Whether you\u2019ve gotten your final answer or you\u2019ve reached a new plateau, it is the journey that is most important.<\/p>\n

Now, go forth and ask yourself great questions.\u00a0 I\u2019d love to hear how it goes in the comments\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n

Jack Grabon<\/b>, LCSW, CPC practices spiritual therapy<\/a> and holistic life coaching<\/a>, helping those on a spiritual path to resolve issues and live happier, more meaningful lives.\u00a0 He offers in-person sessions in New York City, as well as phone and Skype sessions.\u00a0 Contact him now for a\u00a0free consultation.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In my life coaching training program, one of my first homework assignments was to make a list of 100 empowering questions we could ask clients in coaching sessions. These are open-ended questions that generally begin with the word how, why or what. 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