A prudent question is one-half of wisdom. Sir Francis Bacon

Life is about asking questions and finding the right answers.

The quality of answers we get in life is a reflection of the quality of questions we ask. Like many people, I don’t like asking questions. This in order not to be seen as not intelligent or not smart or as a burden, until I discover that life is all about asking questions and seeking answers.

 

Everyday of our lives, we are either asking a question or living out an answer we discover. Research has shown that asking questions improves learning and performance by as much as 150 percent. Asking questions has become my second nature because it engages my critical thinking skills. I found this habit very useful in getting clarity and insight. There is a Chinese proverb I love that fuelled my confidence in asking questions. ‘He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever’

 

Ernesto Sirolli, a world leading economic development consultant, in a recent TED talk told a story of working to develop sustainable agriculture in Africa for six years during the 1970s. His first plan was to plant a garden and teach the local Zambians how to grow tomatoes and zucchini. After months of hard work, the garden burst with tomatoes.  

 

Then one evening close to harvest time, Sirolli watched helplessly as some 200 hippopotamuses marched out of the river and ate everything. Sirolli was shocked and asked the indigenes what just happened. The Zambians replied, “That’s why we have no agriculture here”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Sirolli asked. And they replied, “You never asked!” Despite Sirolli’s grand plan and good intentions, it was a wasted effort because he missed out one important piece of information. 

 

I believe some of us can relate to Sirolli’s predicament. One moment we can see the progress, the next, every trace of the progress disappears right in front us because of an event that blindsided us. Most times, we don’t see it coming, and that makes me ask this question, ‘what are you not asking?’ What are you not asking about in your relationship? What are you not asking concerning your health? What are you not asking about your emotional life? What are you not asking about your finances? Asking the right questions is key to getting the right answers in life. You would be amazed at what the right questions can reveal in any situation. This is what coaches and interrogators are paid to do; to ask the right questions. If no one is asking you the right questions, you may want to start asking yourself the hard and difficult  questions like;

What I am doing here?

If I continue this way, what’s my life going to look like in 10 years?

Where is this job leading me to?

Do I have a future here?

What can I do to improve myself?

What do I want to do with my life?

Why am I deceiving myself? 

 

The truth is, most of us seek answers but are afraid to ask the right questions. The problem is not that we don’t ask questions but that we don’t ask the right questions. I am very quick to ask people questions, but I struggle to ask myself hard and transformative questions because I already know the answers and I am not ready to face the implication of the answers. One of the longest journeys we can ever embark on as advised by Dag Hammarskjold is the journey inward. 

 

So why are we not asking the right questions from others and ourselves? 

 

1. Because of fear; fear of what we will discover, hear and have to do as a result of the answer

2. We are happy with the way things are. We want the change but not the pain of the change. So we would rather stay with the comfort of the familiar than the pain of the change. 

3.  We are not ready to confront our greatest fear with ourselves and others. 

4.  That’s what culture dictates. You can’t be seen to be a trouble maker.

In order to be people who make any kind of lasting difference, we must ask the right questions at the right time. We must not also be afraid of the answers; whatever will find will only make us better, or at the very least, prevent future catastrophe.

Step outside your comfort zone today. Ask questions.

Tagged: Question; Asking; Quality of Answers; Life