The most successful people I know seem to ask better questions. Having a set of curious questions that you ask others will bring your new ways to see the world. 
Be Curious About Yourself and Ask Questions
Are you asking yourself the right questions on a daily basis? Thom Singer shares his list of “Curious Questions” on episode 450 of Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do. These are the questions he asks himself as place his attention on curiosity.
This episode is about finding your way toward better performance. It is so easy to get stuck in a rut and never take the necessary actions to reaching your potential. Many people complain about not being able to reach their goals. They get caught up in doing “things” rather than taking actions. If you are not exploring how to improve your efforts, you will be in a loop. Repeating mediocre actions will get the same mediocre results.
Introspection
Do you ask yourself good questions on a regular basis? Seeking answers and being curious is paramount to finding your way. Knowing what really matters is a good start. Spending time engulfed in activities that do not matter will hold you back. These “Curious Questions” you can ask yourself daily should expose you to new paths and better results.
It is also important to find joy in your day. If you hate your job then life will suck. No doubt about it. Thom openly shares that he spent two decades doing work that paid the bills, but did not always make him happy. His ladder was against the wrong wall. Going to a career that was just about money and doing what others expected of him was not fulfilling.
Dissecting your daily activities and looking at what you are doing, the things you are leaning, and the people you meet will help you expand your potential. Asking “Curious Questions” is one way to peel back the layers of the onion. Discovering the answers will help you make the tough choices that come up in planning your day.
Help Others
The favorite question that Thom asks is about “Who can I help”. So often we get so busy we stop being curious about other people and what they need to succeed. Plus if you go through life just looking out for yourself, you will miss out on a lot of joy. Helping others is a key to your own victories. When others know you are always willing to lend a hand they are more apt to bring you opportunities.
Thom is a solopreneur who has over ten years of experience working for himself, but he often has had those days where he gets nothing done. He developed this habit of asking curious questions (on most days – he is human and forgets and blows up his routine with busy work sometimes). Alas he is seeing better progress in the growth of his company. 2018 was a rough year, but 2019 is showing better results.
Thom Singer’s “Curious Questions”
1. What really matters?
2. What brings you joy?
3. How will this impact the business (or your life)?
4. How will this impact others?
5. If you succeed, how will you feel?
6. What did you learn today?
7. What action did you take today?
8. What will you do tomorrow?
9. Who should you meet?
10. Who can you help?
This idea of asking the “Curious Questions” will be new to some people and old hat to others. But are you doing this? Thom admits he is not doing it daily, but on the days he manages his attention to this list, he has more success.
Try this for two weeks. You can use these “Curious Questions”, or come up with your own.
Listen to this episode on YouTube and subscribe to Thom’s Channel.
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Thom Singer is a keynote speaker and professional Master of Ceremonies / Emcee. The is the host of the “Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do” podcast and the author of 12 books.