- Am I really good enough to pass?
- So many people failed this test. Can I really do it?
- I obviously haven't done enough preparations. What do I do now?
- What will my friends say if I fail?
- What do I do if I don't get a promotion because of this failed test?
- Why can't I solve this problem?
- Stupid me! How come I can't find the right solution to this? Any solution, for that matter?
- Another question I have no answer for. Don't I know anything on this subject?
- Is this exam really as hard to pass as they say? I'm sure I can easily pass.
- So many people failed this test. How could they, it can't be so hard to pass?
- Where do I start? Quickly scanning through all the questions to spot the obviously easy ones sounds like a plan.
- What will my friends say when I pass? What will I say to support the ones who failed?
- It's just a quick exam. Honestly, is there an easier way to earn a promotion?
- How can I solve this problem the easiest way?
- No solution comes to mind. Is there something wrong with the question? A typo, maybe?
- What do I know about this question? Even if there's no solution yet, every little helps.
[tags]positive thinking, positive questions, confidence, self-growth[/tags]
I think the difference between empowering questions and disempowering questions is simply the focus.
An empowering question focuses on the solution. A disempowering question focuses on the problem.
Now, in order to make an empowering question we first must recognize the problem by asking what may seem to be a disempowering question. The key difference is that if we only focus on the problem long enough in order to understand how to solve it, we get empowered results.
I think this is basically the key to the positive thinking VS negative thinking debate. We need positive thinking (empowering questions) so that we get solutions not problems. However, in order to get a solution we must recognize that there is a problem in the first place.
I think the key difference is that most people spend far too much time on the problem and not enough on the solution.
Great Post!
I totally agree, Scott!
It’s just a matter of focusing on the right thing while approaching the problem. I think I’m naturally a positive thinker, so I’m yet to learn if there’s any benefit in negative thinking for me, but I’ll be sure to post more on this subject in the months to come.
Thanks for the comment!