The Power of Asking Questions
Asking questions is essential in our everyday life. From simple to complex matters—we ask questions. Especially when in doubt, we should never be afraid to ask. Inquiry increases our chances of survival and gives sense to everything we encounter. If observation is not enough, we ask people who know it better. And we need to keep in mind that those who never ask will never learn and grow.
Asking is not a sign of weakness or being a fool; Instead, it provides us with a better opportunity to understand things the way they are. Also, we face various reasons why we should ask and gain something valuable from it.
It prompts us to think critically.
Wanting to ask questions can help us make sense of a situation. With asking, it encourages us to be a little bit skeptical and not take things passively. This skill is highly valued and encouraged as we make decisions every day. Asking questions allows us to make better decisions. Also, formulating a question is one of the ways that will equip us to sift through information critically.
It widens our knowledge.
There are many sources from which we can learn. And one of the ways to fill our knowledge gap is by asking. Remember when we were young, we pestered our parents with questions, and their answers helped us build our knowledge. Asking questions—whether it’s about how to make a food recipe or ways to build confidence—opens a new door for learning and understanding.
It helps us solve problems.
Asking is not about formulating a question but also finding out the root of the issues and the effective ways to handle and manage them. Instead of pretending to know everything, we better form the right questions to help us solve a problem. Asking primes us to find our way through a problem and lead us to achieve clarity. In addition, it prevents us from jumping to a conclusion immediately. Thus, asking first helps us to produce a far better solution.
It encourages us to be empathetic.
With the emergence of technology, finding an answer has become more accessible. However, we still rely on people around us when asking questions. And asking others is also a path to understanding their perspectives. Apart from asking, we should be able to listen actively to the other person. We might receive an opinion that might be unusual or unfavorable.
On the other contrary, when we ask for an answer, we should suspend our preconceived notions and biases. As we get the answers, we can arrive at the fact that all of us have a unique understanding. We must also realize we cannot gain knowledge on our own, and we need others to achieve that through a question.
