To start making dramatic changes in your life, transform
the way you use questions that begin with "why." IBM
Founder Thomas Watson, Sr. is quoted as saying "the
ability to ask the right question is more than half the
battle of finding the answer." "Why" questions are uniquely
powerful in that they already contain an answer themselves.
Implicit in every "why" question is a statement of fact.
For example, consider the question "why is the sky blue?"
You agree the sky is blue. You're merely seeking the
explanation of what makes it so. As much as you try, you'll
never change the color of the sky. Hidden in each "why"
question is an affirmative statement.
If not used effectively, "why" questions keep you stuck. I
used to have trouble getting out of bed in the morning.
I'd ask myself "why do I stay in bed when it's time to get
up?" Each time I asked, I always returned to the fact
that I didn't get out of bed when it was time. My "why"
question affirmed that I stayed in bed when it was time to
get up, and it kept me stuck in that pattern.
Begin looking at the "why" questions you ask yourself.
If you're chronically late for appointments, maybe you
ask: "why am I always late?"
If you experience financial lack, maybe you ask:
"why am I always broke?"
If you seem to lack enough time, perhaps you ask:
"why is there never enough time in my day?"
If you don't feel so confident, maybe you ask:
"why am I such a loser?"
Wherever you experience undesired results, look at the
"why" questions you may be asking yourself in that area.
Transform your "why" questions into "how can I" questions.
Instead of asking "why am I always late?"
Try "how can I be on time for all my appointments?"
Instead of asking "why am I always broke?"
Try "how can I earn/save/have more money?"
Instead of asking "why do I oversleep?"
Try "how can I get out of bed on time each day?"
Instead of asking "why am I not getting visitors to my
website?"
Try "how can I get more visitors to my website?"
Begin using afformations. Notice I did not say
affirmations. An afformation, according to author Noah St.
John, is "an empowering question to which the human brain
must try to find an answer." In his excellent book "Learn
How and Why to Give Yourself Permission to Succeed," Noah
devotes several pages to afformations. Pick up a copy of
the book or visit his website at
.
Afformations are "why" questions which affirm something
you desire.
Instead of asking "why am I always late?"
Try "why am I on time for all my appointments?"
Instead of asking "why am I always broke?"
Try "why do I experience financial abundance?"
Instead of asking "why am I lonely?"
Try "why am I surrounded with friends who care for me?"
Instead of asking "why is my business unsuccessful?"
Try "why is my business vibrant, growing and prosperous?"
By asking positive "why" questions, you convince your
brain that what you desire is already so. If it exists in
your mind, it's bound to become an outer reality.
Combine afformations with journaling. Begin keeping a
journal each day and ask yourself only positive "why"
questions. Not only will you be getting your thoughts out
on paper, but you'll also be affirming - in your own mind -
your desired reality.
Psychologist William James states "the greatest discovery
of my generation is that human beings can alter their
lives by altering their attitudes of mind." Transform the
way you use "why" questions, and you'll transform your
attitude and your life.
It's your life. Make it great!
About the Author
Michael Pollock is a popular on-line writer and Personal
Coach. He empowers proactive people to create lives that
are inspired, power-full and prosperous. It's your life.
Make it great! Visit http://www.successfulifecoach.com or
subscribe to his weekly newsletter "It's Your Life!" by
sending a blank email to ItsYourLife-subscribe@topica.com