2 Simple and Radical Shifts I Made To Solve Problems (Plus 2 Lessons Learned)

Everyone has problems to solve.  Everyone! Solving problems is more than just dos and don’ts.  So how do you go about it – successfully and skillfully?

Let me tell you a personal story. 

In my younger years, I hardly ever had a question to ask – but I sure had answers. 
To me, questions were a sign of weakness.  Questions were for the ignorant and I wasn’t about to show any ignorance. 

If I had a question I’d wait til I got my answer – but I never asked.  I never – ever asked a question in class when I was in school or anywhere - Never!

As I got older, I experienced a shift - a radical shift in my mind.   One day I realized I didn’t know everything. (Imagine that)  In fact, I almost thought I didn’t know anything.  It was a weird drastic feeling for me.  

As time went on I acquired more information to fill the void of knowledge and confidence in my mind.  When I got more information, which obviously resulted in more or better answers, another radical shift took place in my mind and heart.

The shift was this:  My best “know-how” my best “conclusions” and my best “answers or ideas” may have been great, or even amazing (I sometimes thought) but not necessarily “God’s best. “

the more I learn, the more I learn that I still need to learn some more.  

I realized that my “good ideas” were not always “God ideas.” I noticed how my approach to something may not necessarily be God’s way of doing things.   There was more I needed to learn.

As a result of this experience, I have learned two simple yet powerful lessons I want to share with you.  

1.  I’ve learned that the more I learn, the more I learn that I still need to learn some more.

In other words, the more I know, that more I realize how much I still don’t know.

This is not some type of insecurity syndrome or anything weird like that.Truth is, the older and mature we get, the more we realize that there is more to life, people, things and more to God that meets the eye.

The reality is – there is much more to you – your character, your value, your performance, your skills, and your worth than meets the eye.  That’s why you don’t feel like your job pays you enough or values you enough to meet your worth.  The real you!

2.  I’ve learned to ask questions. 

In almost any and every conversation I have with others I ask questions.I’ve learned this technique approach in leadership training, coaching training and also in self-training.I has become part of me now.

Why has it become part of me?

Simple!  I’ve learned that if I don’t ask questions, especially, the right questions, I won’t know the information I need to know.

On the other hand, I may know the necessary information at hand, but I may not know the motive, the reason, or the condition of the situation that would help me solve the problem, correct the situation or simply add value to it. So I need to ask.

The right questions, when asked, bring me to the foundation of a revelation.  In other words, when I ask the right questions I discover truth about the foundation of a situation, enabling me to understand better and thus providing me with the best plan of action.

When asking others questions at a time of counseling, a job interview, correcting or training your own kids, be sure to ask the right questions.

Sara Goldstein, in her article 30 Questions to Ask Your Kid Instead of “How Was Your Day?”
She outlines 30 different clever ways to ask your child the right kinds of questions that gets them talking and interacting with you.  They're not difficult or hard to answer questions - they are simple yet interactive questions.

Are we asking the right questions, seeking the unusual answers, and not presuming we know everything already?  

The right question can be a disruptive agent that will cut through into new levels of understanding.   It unveils deeper and richer thoughts that will create a transformation in our lives, friends, our family or our communities.

The right question can be a disruptive agent that will cut through into new levels of understanding.    Tweet that too.

 
So there you have it.  In my short life time I’ve learned to learn more, and I’ve also learned to ask the right kinds of questions.   

Learning more especially by asking the right questions will lead you in new levels of understanding creating transformation in your life, and providing incredible value to others.

 
Question:  What have you learned by asking somebody the right questions for a solving a problem that they would not otherwise convey?  Share below.