You've probably heard the joke about how men can never ask for directions while driving. You know, how they will drive round in circles, hopelessly lost, yet are maddeningly confident about where they're going - "Don't worry dear, I know it's just after the next turn". How they will sooner eat their foot than admit they are lost and consult a passer-by?
Well, I don't know how true this is - only a woman passenger can know. But I do know that in being afraid of asking questions, one loses out on the opportunity to learn something, to improve oneself, to make things better.
Asking questions is an essential way we all learn - after all, a Chinese proverb goes "He who asks is a fool for a minute. He who doesn't ask is a fool forever". But the power of asking questions goes beyond simply asking other people questions. Asking ourselves the right questions can also have a dramatic impact on our self improvement, success and happiness.
Abha Banerjee (known as the Asian Oprah) was on my talkshow recently and shared the 5 essential questions we all should ask ourselves when trying to work through difficult issues:
1. What is the issue? Is it real or imagined?
2. What action can I take to resolve it?
3. What are the resources I can use (media, internet, people)?
4. What results am I anticipating?
5. Was it so important?
The first and last questions are especially useful because we often make events out of trivial issues. Learn what to deal with and what to forget about and let go.
We all experience events that seem too overwhelming to deal with, and there is a great deal of valuable information available to help in these situations. But in almost any situation, no matter how bad it may seem, there is usually something positive that can be found.
Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd
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