You’re good at asking questions. You do it for a living. Questions help you discover the truth, open and close doors and get a grasp on where to go next with a case or a line of questioning.
Asking questions can also help you clarify your goals and what you’re doing to achieve them.
Look at your calendar and your task list. All of the projects you’re working on, upcoming appointments, meetings, calls, emails, things you have to research, documents you need to prepare. Your day is filled with work and you’re getting most of it done.
Things are good.
You’re bringing in clients, making money, building a future. Don’t stop there. Don’t settle for the status quo. You can always do better.
Make it a habit to ask yourself questions about what you’re doing. Start with the big picture:
How can I earn what I’m earning and work fewer hours?
How can I increase my income without doing more work?
How can I bring in more clients at less expense?
How can I bring in bigger cases or better clients?
Not, “Can I?” but “How can I?” Assume you can.
Cogitate on questions like these. There are answers. You will find them. But only if you ask.
More.
Before you start a new task, ask yourself, Why am I doing this right now? Maybe it can be done later. Maybe someone else can do it. Maybe it doesn’t need to be done at all.
Asking why helps you to prioritize.
That’s “how” and “why”. You should also ask yourself “when” and “what”.
What should I do differently? When would be the best time? What should I add or remove?
Don’t forget “who”. Who should I talk to? Who could help me with this? Who do I know? Who do I want to know?
Ask questions about everything. Perhaps you are in the habit of scheduling new client appointments at a time that’s convenient to the client. Is this the best policy?
I don’t know. Ask more questions. Does accommodating the new client interfere with something else you should be doing? Does it impair your ability to finish things you’ve promised to other clients? Does it send a subliminal message that you’re hungry for business?
Interrogate yourself about who, what, when why, and how. Use your skills to spot the issues. State the arguments, for and against. Yes, I know, you could argue either side and all sides, all day long. You’re good at that, too. But don’t get caught up in that. Make a decision. Take action. See what happens.
Then you can ask more questions.
More questions to help you decide
