Each and every one of us seeks answers. We seek answers to simple questions such as, “What should I eat for lunch?”. We seek answers to complex problems like completing an innovative project or figuring out a career path to pursue. We seek answers all day, every day. Our lives revolve around answers and changing how we get answers can have a profound impact on our lives.
We all search, through answers, for clarity. But, how do we obtain clarity? Well, as Tim Ferriss puts it, “life punishes the vague wish and rewards the specific ask.” To get better answers, ask better questions. When we ask clear and specific questions, we inevitably will get clearer and more specific answers.
Questions lead to answers, it’s simple cause and effect. Therefore, while we ultimately are in need of answers, questions are what we must focus on first.
Also, even though we search for answers, we really search for answers that we want to hear. This is human nature. We need to be cognizant of the fact that we like hearing what we already believe and then have the courage to ask questions that may have answers that challenge our current beliefs about ourselves and even the world.
What Kind of Questions to Ask
We can ask as many questions as the day is long, however, it can be beneficial to start with a few simple questions and then drill down from there. We also have to consider the order of our questions. Good questions in the wrong order can evoke bad answers. I find it most effective to move from Why to How to What.
Why
If you’ve ever spent even a few hours with a toddler, you know that “Why?” is one of their favorite things to say. “Why?” seeks reason. “Why?” seeks logic. “Why?” seeks understanding. By simply asking yourself why you want to do something or other, and by answering honestly you will be able to pinpoint exactly whether your desire is logical or purely emotional based. Emotion is not bad, however, acting purely on emotion rather than logic and strategy can lead to unwanted outcomes.
It is also helpful to ask why a number of times, for once might not be sufficient. Doing so peels back the layers of our thinking and helps us to discover our true motives for action.
How
Asking how can also be beneficial. Specifically, asking how things can be done better, quicker, more easily, and so on. Asking how helps to simplify the problem. Asking how also helps to take an abstract solution to a problem and turn it into a concrete path to success.
What
We generally want to start with asking “What should I do?”. However, doing so before dealing with the Why and the How can cause action without clear reasons or objectives.
If we put the what after the Why and the How; we will have our ultimate goal in mind as well as a concrete path to success. Then, the What simply becomes “What do I need to do to accomplish a, b, and c, which I found while asking how?”. This is a lot more manageable than simply starting with “What should I do?”.
Next time you are faced with a difficult problem, first ask “Why?”, then ask “How?”, and then ask “What?”. Moving through this framework will enable you to clearly see your objective, identify a path to success, and then come up with a plan of action that is thought out and strategic.