Question: Are You Asking The Right Questions?

     In my constant pursuit of improving health (for PCE: people, culture, earth), I am always refining the plan, my beliefs, my goals, my thoughts, my processes...  I am always discovering ways to do it better, and the day that I have it down pat and perfect will be the day I stop learning (or am dead).  I don't plan on that day - this pursuit is a daily mission and my life's purpose.  

    While I appreciate a system that works, routine can sometimes cause blind spots.  How many times have you asked WHY? and the answer was "that's the way it's been done before"?  It's maddening to me, and an opportunity is missed whenever these dismissive responses occur.

    When we analyze systems (in whatever capacity they serve), we give ourselves the chance to ask questions as simple as WHY? and how could it be BETTER?  Brainstorming sessions bring out all of these WHAT IF? scenarios that we can play with, tweak, implement, or scratch altogether.  But, how many brainstorming sessions have you been part of where the brainstorming was lukewarm, generic, meh?

    The difference in a good and not good brainstorming session is the quality of questions being asked.  Drill down beyond the general obedience of the exercise and you come up with some real doozies - questions or theories that challenge the status quo or shake up the dynamic of things.  And in this space, effective change for the better can occur - even if just a seed of an idea gets the chance to germinate, maybe bloom into something brilliant never seen (not even considered) before!

    Elon Musk has found success (ya think?) in his business pursuits and companies by adhering to this philosophy of asking the right questions.  He has said that often times, discovering the right question is often harder than determining the solution.  

    Dr. John DeMartini has multiple tools on his website https://drdemartini.com/ that help you ask the quality questions that can lead you to mastering your life. He takes the generic question "what do you want to be when you grow up?" and delves deeper to make your dreams clear - which illuminates the path of action required to achieve them.

    So be sure to ask yourself the right questions - refine yourself and the environment around you - and push the boundaries of safety found in routine, precedent, or custom.  Quality questions for a quality life.