Tag Archives: answers

We make our world significant

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“We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers.”

—Carl Sagan, 20th Century American astronomer & planetary scientist

Image from Unsplash by NASA

As a science buff growing up and even today, Carl Sagan has always been one of my heroes. He was a leading figure in popularizing science through his books and the television series Cosmos, which became PBS’s most watched show for decades.

Sagan was instrumental in researching the potential for extraterrestrial life, demonstrating amino acids production from basic chemicals. He designed the Pioneer Plaques and Voyager Golden Recording, intended as a universal message for any extraterrestrial intelligence.

Among his numerous accomplishments was his role as an inspirational mentor to notable scientists including Neil deGrasse Tyson and countless young people who chose to follow in his footsteps.

EXERCISE:

In what ways do you courageously question your place and purpose in life and dig for the answers to make your time here even more meaningful?

“In the book of life, the answers aren’t in the back.”

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“In the book of life, the answers aren’t in the back.”

—Charles Schulz, creator of the comic strip Peanuts

Image from Unsplash by Patrick Tomasso

Today’s quote takes me back to grade school. Back then, we had hefty textbooks to lug around from class to class.

I specifically remember the math books. What made them different from the rest was that they had an answer key in the back to check our work. They usually contained only half the answers, and we were left to work out the rest on our own.

In life, many of us wait too long to discover the answers to the problems we experience along the way.

There is no answer key even at the end of many years with the right answers. The only thing we often find there is regret.

EXERCISE:

As you turn the pages of your life, how can you trust the answer keys of your head, heart and gut to come up with many more of the right answers for you?

Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.

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“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.”

—William S. Burroughs, 20th Century American writer and visual artist

Image from Unsplash by Drew Coffman

Many people treat life decisions like a game show.

When posed with a critical question, they feel that they must buzz in with an immediate answer. If these answers aren’t instantly available, they often give up and move on to some easier ones.

Rarely does operating this way result in any significant insight or growth.

Taking our time and patiently wrestling with our more challenging issues is a proven method of building our mental muscles and resilience.

EXERCISE:

Where would a more relaxed and patient approach to life’s questions offer you more and better answers to the significant issues facing you?

Embrace life’s questions and live your way into the answers

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Embrace life’s questions and live your way into the answers. Don’t rush. Learn to take pleasure in the process of discovery.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Towfiqu Barbhuiya

Of all the coaching tools I’ve come to value most over the years, one is the good old open-ended question.

I love that the trigger words of Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How allow us to dig deeper into answers that can differ widely for each person.

When we combine questions like these in sequence with sincere interest and honorable listening, we often discover many of life’s most important answers.

EXERCISE:

Consider picking up a copy of The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stainer or A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger to help you and others live into the answers of your life.

FRIDAY REVIEW: ANSWERS

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FRIDAY REVIEW: ANSWERS

Where do you turn when you are seeking answers? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“A wise man’s questions contain half the answer.”

 

 

 

 

“There is more than one right answer.”

 

 

 

“The marvelous thing about a good question is that it shapes our identity as much by the asking as it does by answering.”

 

 

 

The marvelous thing about a good question is that it shapes our identity as much by the asking as it does by answering

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“The marvelous thing about a good question is that it shapes our identity as much by the asking as it does by answering.”

—David Whyte, Anglo-Irish poet

Image from Unsplash by Hadija Saidi

What are some of the questions you have been asking yourself and others over the past couple of years?

As a lifelong learner, I marvel at the power and insights offered by provocative open-ended questions.  These tools dig below the surface of our day-to-day experiences to uncover new depths of understanding of one another and the world.

In the coaching profession we often say “let your questions do the heavy lifting.”  The surprising thing for me, based on Whyte’s quote, is that both parties can be shaped through these exchanges.

EXERCISE:

What are some of your favorite “stop you in your tracks” questions?

How have these questions shaped your identity and opened up pathways for you?

Two books I’ve found very useful on this subject are A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger and The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stainer.

“Discover the magic of searching for the ‘Second Right Answer.’”

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“Discover the magic of searching for the ‘Second Right Answer.’”

—Roger von Oech, author, inventor, and speaker

Image from Slideshare

Do you remember the game played by teachers and students when you were young? You know — the game where the teacher asks a question and immediately all the over-zealous students wave their hands in excitement — maybe with a few verbalizing to be called on to share their knowledge and show off a bit.

Certain subjects and topics in school play nicely into this game, where there is a single correct answer — and being quick on the draw with these single bullets of wisdom is usually rewarded. Consider all the game shows on TV that play into reward or punishment for the right or wrong answer.

As we enter the world beyond our traditional educational upbringing many of us notice that there are often a variety of right answers that can lead to numerous iterative versions of success. We are now encouraged to be far more creative and agile, thinking outside the box to discover new and perhaps even better answers just beyond the horizon of our knee-jerk thinking.

EXERCISE:

Where and on what personal or professional issues would digging deeper and longer to search for the second right answer magically provide even greater possibilities and opportunities in your life?

Friday Review: Answers

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Friday Review: Answers

Where do you turn when you are seeking answers? Here are a few answer-related posts you may have missed. Click to read the full message.

 

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.”

 

 

 

“A wise man’s questions contain half the answer.”

 

 

 

“Imagine that the universe is about to whisper the answer to your deepest questions. You do not want to miss it.”

 

 

 

“Is the work people pay for the work you want to do?”

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“Is the work people pay for the work you want to do?”

—Bernadette Jiwa, global authority on business philosophy

Image of Bernadette Jiwa from thestoryoftelling.com

Today’s quote comes from a blog post Bernadette Jiwa wrote on August 21, titled “The Value Shift.” Check out her insightful work and website.

What is your answer to the question posed in today’s quote?

Are you a yes, a no, or a sometimes? What would it take to be a Hell Yes!?

Yes, we all have our responsibilities and commitments we sometimes feel we have to do, instead of want to do. But overall, to what degree is the work you actually do what you want to do?

EXERCISE:

What bold, courageous, and creative actions would it take to move the “no” or “sometimes” far closer to the “yes” you deeply desire?

Feel free to reply to this post with the actions you will take to have a far more rewarding life.

Friday Review of Posts on Answers

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FRIDAY REVIEW: ANSWERS

Where do you turn when you are seeking answers? Here are a few answer-related posts you may have missed. Click to read the full message.

 

 

“There is more than one right answer.”

 

 

 

 

“Imagine that the universe is about to whisper the answer to your deepest questions. You do not want to miss it.”

 

 

 

 

“The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept.”