Tough (Question) Tuesday: What’s the most obvious question you can ask yourself to get closer to the outcome?
Close your eyes (or don’t). Think of the biggest challenge you’re having right now. Y’know, the one that’s been nipping at your heels and tugging at your heart and causing you several headaches. Now think:
What’s the most obvious question you can ask yourself to get closer to the outcome?
I’ll be posting my answer in the comments section. Hope you’ll join me!
You can read all the installations of Tough (Question) Tuesday here.
Related posts:
February 10th, 2009 at 7:47 am
My biggest challenge at present is overwhelm – so much to do and not enough time! I know there’s other “stuff” wrapped up in that (discipline, commitment, prioritizing, effective time management), but if I delve into that stuff I’ll be writing this comment all week.
So, the most obvious question I can ask myself is:
“What’s the best way for me to clear my mind and start focusing?”
I think I’m going to start by doing a big ol’ brain dump. I just got a free year-long membership to use gtdagenda.com, but I know it’ll take a bit of time to figure it out…..I’ll either use that or start drafting an email to my coach along with a deadline for each task/project. I’m going to be honest with myself, though, and prioritize my task list as well as not giving myself a deadline for any project outside of the Top 10 priorities. The second step would be to focus on one thing at a freakin’ time, and to stop leaving my email window open when I should be doing other things.
February 10th, 2009 at 8:40 am
The most common question I ask myself is, “So What?” I don’t mean, “Who Cares?”, I mean “WHY is that thought, answer, feature, benefit- important?” This keeps away the BS. So if I think I have a great business idea, I think, “So what?” It helps me focus on who it will help, and do they need it, and more importantly, do they want it?
If I am preparing a presentation, I picture a little person on my shoulder that asks, “So what?” after everything I say. This keeps me focused on benefits not features. It helps me remember that I am not selling vacuum cleaners, I am selling a clean house. You are not selling advice, you are selling Progress, and Achievement.
It is also a great filter for the data you get bombarded with on a daily basis. If it gets through my “So what?” filter, it deserves attention.
“So What?” can be a big help in prioritizing your projects and tasks, and if you don’t agree with me, then well, you know …
February 10th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Thanks so much for your comment, Ian! I will definitely keep a “So What?” person on my shoulder (although I picture mine as a parrot, since that’s all that he says). What a great way to filter your words, your meaning, your priorities…..I’ll absolutely start putting that into practice.
February 10th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Totally agree with both! I always have that “so what?” voice in my head due to my involvement with research, but should apply it to life in general!
What is gtdagenda? Have you used it before? I want a coach to send my deadlines to!!!
Thank you for yet another great thought provoking post!!
February 11th, 2009 at 6:04 am
My biggest challenge is being consistent, so the question is:
What is one small thing (no big push needed) you can do today to move each of your projects forward?
February 11th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Carolyn – I actually just set up my gtdagenda yesterday! You can find it here: http://www.gtdagenda.com. Full disclosure: I got a free premium membership to write a review on my blog, so I’ll be giving you the skinny by the end of the month! Again, I JUST started using it but have found it a bit clunky…..I’ll keep navigating & will pass along the best way to use it (hopefully, if I figure that out!). And shameless self-promotion ahead: if you want a coach to help you set deadlines, then you can always schedule a consultation call with me! I would freakin’ LOVE to coach you! Navigate the toolbar above to get some info on how I coach, FAQs about coaching, my services, yada yada yada.
Alex -That’s a great question. If you haven’t read it already, you’d probably get something out of “Two Simple Ways to Form New Habits”, which made me think about “half steps”: http://is.gd/hPsG