Big Questions Can Generate The Right Answers
People come into your life when you need them. I was at a Start-Up Expo back in 2006 when I popped my name down on a list for a free 1:1 business coach session. I’d not been in my own business long, so was still very much finding my feet. The idea of talking out the 1000’s of thoughts flying around my head seemed like a good idea.
The session was about a 40-minute drive, which I loved as it provided the physical and mental space I needed to come out of working in my business to being able to focus on my business. 1st step was to clear the space and select only a few things to focus on….there goes my 1000’s of thoughts out the window. I had to decide which were most important for me to focus on….step one cut out most of the rubbish. 2nd step was to ask why these 1-5 items are important.
I very clearly remember Financing on the list. I had a new business and needed to buy equipment for it to work. I was then told to brainstorm as many ways of getting finance as possible, once I had finished I was told to think of 20 more!
This is what I learnt;
When you ask your mind questions, it will try to come up with answers …. always push your mind by asking the next step question & big questions for it will produce answers.
It wasn’t until halfway through trying to think of 20 more things that I came up with Sponsoring. It was the perfect solution. I wouldn’t have to pay for the equipment at all if I could show the marketing potential to the manufactures/distributors. It was a win win win. My clients were happy, the equipment producers got a huge marketing platform & had the equipment needed. The “write down everything you can think of” bit gets rid of all the things you’ve already considered so you can access the creative thinking that comes from being pushed.
What had happened is instead of having lots of unformed ideas I had a few clear, fleshed out ideas that I could take action on. I now use a similar system when working with clients to get clarity and direction.
Work with Me to Get from Overwhelm and into ACTION
Try it yourself;
Ask yourself “How Can I Create A Million Dollars?” Once you get past the winning the lotto, selling everything you’ve ever owned, robbing a bank & laughing at this question, your mind will start to try and answer the question. Lay down with your eyes closed, keep asking and see what ideas you come up with. Who is brave enough to comment with there next step or big question?
I might have to try this in the morning, right now it’s bedtime and all I can guarantee that the moment I lie down to think I’ll be out to it. Will try in tomorrow though.
Wow! That’s a really big question. But not something I want so I’ll think up another one to try your technique out on.