How Comfortable are You Asking Questions?

I have a question for you – how comfortable are you asking questions? Questions are a fundamental learning tool, and yet many people spend a large part of their lives being uncomfortable about asking questions. It could stem from a desire to be or seem perfect, it could be because they don’t want to be nosy or pry, or it could be because they don’t even know how to formulate a question to get the information they need. Often, people don’t ask questions because they don’t know what they don’t know, so have no idea they even should be asking a question.

Today is Albert Einstein’s birthday and is also Ask a Question Day. It’s not a coincidence that they are the same day – Einstein is widely regarded as one of the most flexible-minded inventors largely because of his ability to continue to ask questions long after most people would have given up trying to make something work. A tenacious curiosity is a fundamental building block of invention, creation, and growth.

Asking questions is important for every element of life – personal and professional relationships, personal and professional growth, challenging the status quo, conducting experiments, creating breakthroughs, and even something as simple as crafting the perfect cup of coffee. Continuing to be curious about the world around you is a trait many people admire, which also means those people will look to you as a leader. As you can see, the humble question is a powerful tool. There are some questions maybe you should be asking yourself, and the world’s second-shortest podcast can quickly help you identify and answer them.

• Are you accidentally gutting your sense of self-worth? There’s a Tiny Bite for that!
• Do you question your negative thoughts? There’s a Tiny Bite for that!
• Do you make excuses for yourself? There’s a Tiny Bite for that!

The Wellbeing Wisdom Tiny Bites podcast is just that – each episode is 90 seconds or less and contains a mental wellbeing concept or tool you can start using right away. Find a new episode each day wherever you hear podcast and on the Center for Workplace Happiness website.

Today, see how many questions you ask, and see if you can find ways to ask more. When a conversation lags, what question can you ask? When something looks impossible, what question might open the path to accomplishment? When you’re angry about something, how can you shift from anger to curiosity?

And did you see how many questions I asked you there? Happy Ask a Question Day…do you have any questions for me?

Wags, Sandy Weaver, Program Director, Center for Workplace Happiness
Author of Happy Vet Happy Pet, The Original MBA, and co-author of The Happiness Recipe and The 28-Day Thought Diet

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