I came across a new word in the last few days, ‘farrago’ which means a confused mixture. For example, you might have a farrago of doubts and fears, hopes and wishes. Often our minds are a confused mixture and I believe it has to do with the way that we think. The reality is the quality of your thinking is directly related to the quality of the questions you ask yourself.
Our education system is woefully inadequate in this sphere. We have been taught what to think but not how to think. This is to our detriment. The quality of our thinking has a direct relationship to bringing clarity and therefore focus. When our quality of thinking is higher, because whatever we focus on expands, our focus will be clearer with better outcomes. When we have such clarity, we are better able to communicate our ideas and plans to others.
Last week I looked at maintaining a sense of curiosity – keeping that child-like questioning mindset that looks to make sense of the world around us. This week I am challenging us to think about the quality of those questions.
As a culture we place great value on knowledge. On more than one occasion, I have heard it said that knowledge is power. This sounds to me like answers are the most important thing. However, I want to challenge that view. I don’t deny that having solutions is desirable but the quality of those solutions depends on the questions that are being asked.
“It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.” Eugene Ionesco
You may remember that some time ago I mentioned this little thing in our brain called the reticular activator. Those who study these things believe that this is the component in our brains that helps us fulfil our goals. It’s because of the reticular activator that when you decide you are looking for a blue Volvo estate as your next car you suddenly seem to see them all over the place.
What are the questions you are asking yourself? What questions are you being asked by those that you trust to coach you? Why does it matter?
The questions we ask frame the information that we will filter. The question “what can I learn” from this situation, or event will do just that. It doesn’t matter whether it was a negative or positive experience, the question will frame the response.
The questions we ask that are of sufficient quality will begin to mine the depths of our unlimited unconscious mind. Here resides the potential inside each and every one of us. The flawed thinking we have is that if we work harder we will get the success we are after. The evidence is that this is not the case. If we are to succeed then we need to act and think differently.
The questions we ask ourselves must draw the answers from within. What ultimately decides whether we fulfil our potential or not is the beliefs we have about our potential. Those beliefs drive our decision making at a sub-conscious level. If you are not satisfied with your current reality, then continuing to make the same unconscious choices day in and day out will not change it. In order to change we have to become aware of what is going on in the way we think about things.
The question that has me renewing my mind at this time is ‘what self-limiting beliefs are getting in the way of realising my potential?’ We all have them tucked away in our unconscious mind. By asking the right questions, often in the hands of a skilled coach, this thinking can be made visible and at that point it can be changed which is the key to getting rid of the obstacles that will change your reality.
“Until you make the unconscious, conscious, it will direct your life, and you will call it fate.”
Carl Jung
If you want to change the quality of your thinking and so enhance your results why not book a discovery call to find out how?
Stay safe.
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