I have to admit that when I was a child, I used to ask a lot of questions. I used to bombard my parents, grandparents, teachers, and friends with questions. I had a well-deserved reputation as a “questioner”. I was fascinated by the question and they still fascinate me today. With the passage of time, I have realized that it’s more important knowing the right questions to make than to know the answers to the questions. Knowing what and how to ask is critical in many professions.
- One of the most important questions you can ask, and frequently ask yourself, is “WHY?”. In fact, it is one of the first great questions that you begin to ask in your childhood. Curiosity, the desire to discover the reasons for having to do something even rebellion against the need to carry out any action on the instructions of your parents or teachers. In the professional world, I have realized that “why?” is an extraordinary question. The ability to wonder and discover the reasons for each action, for each challenge you set for yourself. One of the professionals who has analyzed this question more and better is Simon Sinek. Simon is the creator of the “Golden Circle” theory, a model based on the question “why?” which serves to understand the effect of being clear about your why, and the importance of having a clear purpose. Simon explains it very well in 2 of his great books that I highly recommend: Start With Why and Find Your Why. Without a doubt, asking why you do what you do on a consistent basis will help you discover your true purpose, and you will be able to check if it is aligned with your life goals. The German philosopher Nietzsche said that “he who has a why to live can bear any how”.
- And another big fascinating question is “WHY NOT?”. It has to do with the ability to dream big, to imagine better results, to achieve new milestones. It is the question that can lead you to grow and improve in different aspects. It is a question that I love and helps to rebel against all those who say no (including yourself). Ask yourself this question frequently and ask it to others. It will help you discover barriers, to identify limitations that in many cases can be overcome. Think big and rebel against the idea you can’t do something. How many things you don’t try something because you think it is not possible? How many things do you do because you have always done them that way or because you have not considered doing them in another way? Dare to ask yourself why you can’t do something, why you can’t get better results. In this line, the president of the United States J. F. Kennedy used to say, “Don’t ask why, ask why not”.
I simply wanted to share with you the importance of repeatedly asking yourself these 2 questions: “why” and “why not”. And I finish with a quote that I love and summarize the main idea of this post “Life is a journey from why to why not.”
