Science of Success (Pt 1): The Power of Questions

The Power of Questions

Success is not a mystery! Your brain is the key to your success. (Sanjay Gupta)

Self-development is critical to success. Besides strategic planning, commitment, and persistent action, you must train yourself to believe. The brain is the key.

Our bodies require exercise and proper nutrition to stay fit; our brains require knowledge and self-empowering information. The effort must be ongoing. Gold medal athletes do not become champions over night, they must dedicate time and effort to training. Similarly, our brains also need repetitive positive stimulation to attain the highest level of fitness. To program your brain, ask yourself empowering questions that deter limiting beliefs, identify your dreams, determine the “Why” of your life, and define your goals.

Have you ever wondered why some individuals achieve great success while others don’t? Whether financial, personal or physical, success comes from one source: using the brain effectively. It’s that simple. Use your brain effectively by asking yourself the right questions. Then you can achieve anything.

Most personal development gurus-Brian Tracy, Denis Waitley, Anthony Robbins, and Zig Ziglar-all believe that success is dependent on how effectively we use our brains.

This concept is not new. In the 1930’s a young reporter named Napoleon Hill wondered how US steel magnate Dale Carnegie progressed from penniless pauper to billionaire. Hill asked Carnegie for his secret but Carnegie did not answer immediately. Instead he gave Hill access to other wealthy elite including Ford, Morgan, Rockefeller and Woolworth. Hill asked each the same question, “Is there some secret to your success?” Hill reveals the answer in his now famous book, Think and Grow Rich: “If you can constantly focus on the things that you want and close your mind tight against the things you DON’T want lo’ a hopeful future will open up to you.”

How do we attain this level of focus? According to Hill’s interviewees, by asking ourselves empowering questions.

Asking empowering questions is contrary to general practice. Most people dwell upon what’s not working, not what is. In fact, 90% of self-talk is negative. People often bond with others so they can focus on common problems. If you constantly ask negative and self-limiting questions, your brain will give negative answers.

Here is a limiting question: Why can’t I earn more money? This is a “Why” and “can’t” question. “Why” and “can’t” questions evoke limiting answers. For example: If you ask, “Why can’t I earn more money?” your brain might answer, “because you are lazy, stupid, and a poor money manager.” Over time, you will begin to believe these negative answers, internalizing them so that they became part of your life.

Why not ask yourself self-empowering questions instead? Your brain will give you positive answers. For example: “How can I earn more money?” or “What can I do to earn more money?” Your brain might answer 1) Start a business; 2) Set aside a percentage of your income for investment; 3) Read books on increasing wealth and positive thinking.

If you ask positive questions, your brain will provide positive solutions. Your brain has unlimited resources and extraordinary problem-solving abilities. Focus those resources on solutions instead of problems.

Action Step: Do this exercise to help you recognize limiting questions.

1. List three limiting questions you often ask yourself. Do not restrict these questions to business. Look at your personal and physical situation as well.

2. Review your list of limiting questions. Examine the answers.

3. Re-formulate the same questions using “How” and “What” instead of “Why.”

4. Compare these answers to the self-limiting answers.

5. How might you change your life by asking only positive questions? How might your business change?

This article examines the power of questions and gives you insights on how you can improve. http://t.co/SGJErBqMHz PLEASE RETWEET

— Sanjay Gupta (@teaconnexions) April 1, 2015