Quotes & Questions – A Powerful Combination

doodle question and exclamation markOne of the primary values we can gain from our on-line communities comes from the sharing of wisdom with each other. That could be our own wisdom, or the wisdom of others we have found helpful. On any given day there are many words of inspiration and motivation available in our news feeds and mailboxes. Let’s face it: we love quotes. We love sharing them and reading them.

As a life strategist and coach, my experience has shown that beyond the insights we gain from the words of these master communicators, the most powerful transformations happen when they are paired with an insightful question. Something that makes that wisdom personal to where we are in our lives.

Here’s an example:

The quote:  Mark Twain once said that “..The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”  Sounds rather simplistic but in fact, there is magic in those words.  One of the most challenging lessons I continue to learn is that progress will always trump perfection.  Continuous progress builds momentum and with momentum, we can transform a dream into reality.

The question:  A mentor asked me what I was willing to give up to realize a particular dream.  Always before the question was about what I was willing to do.  Now it shifted.  What was I willing to give up.  Finding the time to “start” was caught in a showdown of.  I had to choose.

We never know when the words we hear or the questions we ask are going to be that “spark”.  The spark of change can be knowledge, insight, praise, even criticism.  But the outcome holds universal potential.  The right words and questions at the right time can spell magic: if we allow it.

What quote from a thought leader have you heard recently that really resonated with you? What questions should you be asking related to that thought? The sound bites can bring insight.  But when we really hear them and ask the right questions, they can also drive us to action which is key.  I think of it as going from insight to incite. Let’s get started!

Live (question) today like you want tomorrow to be. Live (question) well!