Saturday, 6 August 2011

questions worth asking ...


There’s a blog I really dig called Thought Questions. The site is based on the philosophy that a question that makes you think is a question worth asking.

I especially love this because most of us don’t really think about or challenge our selves, preferring instead the routine and comfort of the Sunday afternoon sofa over a life where YOU get to make YOUR dent in the universe.

If life begins at the end of your comfort zone -- as indeed it does -- the first step to getting there is [quite simply] by asking questions that move and stir YOU.

So here is my list of Thought Questions for YOU -- thought provoking questions to get YOUR mind moving and YOUR heart racing:

The Question Question

Do you ask questions, or do you just settle for what you know?

Time and Age Questions

What do you wish you spent more time doing five years ago?

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

If the average human lifespan was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?

If you could live one day of your life over again, what day would you choose?

How have you changed in the last five years?

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Beliefs and Values Questions

What’s a belief that you hold with which many people disagree?

What’s the biggest lie you once believed was true?

Do you think crying is a sign of weakness or strength?

Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?

What small act of kindness were you once shown that you will never forget?

Work Questions

What are you an expert at?

What motivates you to go to work each day?

What job would you never do no matter how much it paid?

Have you done anything lately worth remembering?

If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

Brand YOU Questions

When do you feel most like yourself?

Why do you matter?

What do you love most about yourself?

What’s the best part of being you?

What makes you weird?

What do you owe yourself?

What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?

If some of these questions do resonate with and challenge you, try asking Thought Questions next time you’re at a dinner party or a social office function. Whereas the usual line of social enquiry and light conversation might be ‘so, where do you live?’ or ‘what car do you drive’, the Thought Questions version of these questions would be ‘so, what do you live for?’ or ‘what drives you?’.

And yes, you will almost certainly get perplexed looks and quizzical stares from their Sunday afternoon sofa faces. But hey, at least YOU are the one asking the questions worth asking, and living life at the end of YOUR comfort zone.

4 comments:

Sandy said...

Thanks Richard. As always I enjoy your blog. I often use it in the classroom to provoke discussion and this particular blog entry is bound to be a fertile thinking/ discussion ground. I can't wait for tomorrow in the classroom!

Andre Pech said...

Hi Richard
Was at Soul Sessions last night. Loved your talk, and now i love your blog too!

Andre

Richard Mail Account said...

Cheers Andre

:)

Richard Mail Account said...

thanks Sandy :)