How To Work An Inquiry Question

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before you read the rest of this blog post take a minute to really connect and engage with the question below. Run it over as many times as you can in your mind and capture any initial first thoughts in a notebook or a blank sheet of paper.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” (Howard Thurman)

I have seen this question quoted several times over in books, blogs, articles and on all over the Internet. It’s one of those questions that’s easy to glance at, to travel over each word with the eye and to send the mind a fast message that says, “Yes this is a good one and then do nothing more with the question for the rest of your days.

That is of course until life taps you on the shoulder in the form of a life event or crisis and reminds you in no uncertain terms that now is the time to pay real attention.

Or perhaps the discomfort of some part of your life or work becomes so unbearable you know that in order to move forward you must sit and be with the very question you have all these years tried to ignore.

That’s where I am right now, sitting and being with some very uncomfortable questions. Questions I want to lock up in a box and throw away the key. But like I’ve said these types of questions know how to seep through the smallest of cracks, they know how to tap on your shoulder and if you don’t listen they are experts on tugging on your hair and screaming your name out loud.

Socrates the Greek philosopher was renowned for asking what are referred to as Socratic questions that there are rumours that he was murdered for it. He would walk with his students out to the town gates asking difficult and penetrating questions. Rumour has it that he was murdered because he asked too many questions that challenged the status quo.

This is exactly what a coach does. A coach asks the type of questions that challenges the client to think outside the box, to think beyond their own status quo, beliefs, habits and attitudes into new ways of thinking and doing. Not always an easy or comfortable journey but very often a journey that is essential if we are to grow.

An Inquiry question is a powerful way of developing and deepening self awareness and self understanding which can radically deepen the clients understanding of their deepest desires, capabilities, skills and resourcefulness.

The question I pose this Monday morning came from the lips of the African American philosopher, theologian and educator Howard Thurman. This transformative question is a blend of both Socratic and Inquiry. It’s the kind of question that invites deeper reflection and inquiry and does not demand an instant answer. I invite you to sit and work with this Inquiry question for the next seven days.

Inquiry questions are reflected on and contemplated on over time. Allow your mind to freely explore the question in it’s own time as you go about your day and your week. With a notebook or audio recorder close to hand you can capture your thoughts and reflections about the question randomly as they emerge. No need to push for an answer. This is the ultimate in letting go, of opening, of allowing the answers to come find you.

They say that once a question is asked it’s purpose in some form or other begs for it to be answered.

You can work with this type of question be writing it out at the top of a blank page in your journal or notebook. Or pop it on to a new Note on your iphone or on a blank index card. Whenever your mind wanders onto the question make a note or record of what you’re thinking or ruminating about. Soon you will have a collection of data that will allow you to explore a range of different options or you maybe surprised, caught off guard by what the question poses you to think about.

The trick is holding no expectations, just see what comes. Working with questions in this way produces far more meaningful results that the quick off the mark answer or response.

What’s a great Inquiry questions you’ve come across? I would love to hear about the kinds of inquiry questions that are on your list.

I love this Inquiry question from the German writer and poet Rainer Maria Rilke,

“Live your questions now. And perhaps even without even knowing it, you will live along some distant day into your answers.”