Incisive Questioning

The most valuable tool that you will ever have to solve problems in unique ways by yourself, and that were never previously conceived of by you, or even anyone else, is a question, or rather a series of questions. All of the answers that we get in life come from our questions so if you’re not getting the answers/solutions that make the problem go away then you need to change your questions. I have already written a detailed article about this important skill: Why ‘Why?” Often Doesn’t Help.

I attribute almost all of the lucid explanations and improved methods of doing things that you read about in this blog down to clear and incisive questioning. If we ask excellent questions of analysis about a problem they will lead us inexorably to the root cause of the problem. This method of reduction takes us to a place where answers ring out clear and true. Accepting those answers, the truth contained within them and the consequences of acting upon them might not always prove easy. Nonetheless, understanding the root cause gives us understanding of the symptoms and the responses to the symptoms, which are the things that normally absorb us and baffle us as we struggle to contain them rather than eliminate them. Elimination of the root cause eliminates the symptom and the need for a response. If the cause cannot be eliminated then understanding it can generally lead to better management and containment so that the impact and effect of the problem is greatly reduced.

The Questioning Process

The following are questions that I use to think about perplexing problems and to find solutions:

Root cause analysis
Is the thing that bugs me a symptom, a response to a symptom or a cause?
As an example of the distinctions between these things: indulging in watching TV or other distractions instead of getting on with more important things is a response to the condition of procrastination. procrastination itself is a negative result symptomatic of attempting to do things that we cannot do right now, either through a lack of ability or a lack of preparation. The root cause of the problem is attempting to do things in the moment that we cannot practically do in the moment.
How can I eliminate or contain this cause?
In the case of procrastination we eliminate the problem by taking care that we set ourselves to do small and easy steps in the process of completing a larger whole. This is a highly effective form of containment of a problem.

Method analysis
Sometimes we struggle to implement supposed solutions given to us by other people (erroneous beliefs are a common problem here). So if you attempt to repeatedly implement a solution but don’t get improved results then it is probably because that solution deals only with a symptom and not with the root cause. I had this for years in my attempts to implement pinnacle-goal setting. I tried and failed so many times that despair increasingly haunted me. In the end, and in the face of a huge body of work and common opinion to the contrary, I asked one of the bravest questions that I have ever asked:
What if this is wrong?
Wow! That question really caused me to churn up some unquestioned assumptions. I followed with:
What evidence exists to the contrary?
How can I explain those contrary results, i.e. what process caused them?
How can I get more of those contrary results, i.e. is that process repeatable?
By following through on these questions I came to the conclusion that Pinnacle Goal-Setting Doesn’t Work because it creates a framework for achievement that is almost impossible to fulfil. By analysing the evidence of other methods that have worked for me I came up with an alternative that I know works and that is much easier to implement: The Journey

Definition Analysis
We often use labels to define and encapsulate concepts that would otherwise require a lot of explanation each time that we wanted to think about them or describe them. We often do this without ever questioning the assumptions behind the definition and that can lead to difficulty when we get fixated with fulfilling what we perceive the label ‘is about’ rather than adjusting to the real purpose. If you end up continually frustrated in your efforts then questioning what you really seek and whether your current quest will do that can prove illuminating.
What do I want?
Often a ‘to be’ or ‘to have’ or ‘to do’ response. For example: I want to be rich
What does this do for me or others?
It gives me options, control, material benefits etc
Why do I want these things?
To feel good on a consistent basis.
What other things allow me to feel good on a consistent basis?
The ability to fulfil desires and then fulfilling those desires.
What is the real function that I attempt to do?
To develop the ability to fulfil my desires.
In this case it becomes clearer that the ability to fulfil desires is the real quest. This can lead to consideration of how to fulfil desires without requiring great riches. It also shows that fixating on getting rich does not describe the real issue. In this case the real issue is ‘to have the ability to create riches’ and this subtle difference takes the focus away from the money and onto the ability that gets the money, which is the only thing that will deliver that particular desire.

Unparalleled Clarity

For those of you who follow this blog, you will know that I’m heavily into finding the root cause of the problem and to make very clear distinctions between cause, effect and response to effect. The relief that people feel after reading my explanations to perplexing problems occurs because I have defined the problem very clearly. In doing so it becomes clear that the symptom and the response to the symptom are not the problem. The brain ache of dealing with that perpetual struggle disappears. We also find that we don’t have character faults or an inherent lack of ability, it was simply that we kept on attempting to do the impossible that made us cranky. Our ignorance defeated us. When we become enlightened we find ourselves capable of getting things done like never before.

Going through this process for any particular problem might take from half an hour to a couple of hours of undistracted and concentrated thinking with a pen an paper to direct and record the process. It is undoubtedly a challenge, but ask yourself this, how many more hours of your life do you want to lose reeling in response to symptoms, either fleeing or fighting those symptoms, and repeating the process again and again and again (as you surely will) until you get to the root cause and tackle the problem at its source?

These articles provide additional information:
Why ‘Why?” Often Doesn’t Help
Formulating a Better Question
Pinnacle Goal-Setting Doesn’t Work
The Journey

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