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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Change Your Questions, Change Your Life summary
Marilee Adams
12 Powerful Tools for Leadership, Coaching, and Choice
16 mins
Brief summary
Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Marilee Adams is a practical guide that shows how changing the questions we ask ourselves can profoundly impact our personal and professional lives, leading to greater self-awareness and positive change.
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Change Your Questions, Change Your Life
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Reshape your world by asking the right questions
Imagine navigating through life constantly critical, suspicious, or even dismissive. It's exhausting, isn't it? That’s precisely the world of someone trapped in a judger mindset. But here's the good news: there's a more open, receptive way of approaching life and its challenges. Let’s dive in to understand the art of switching from being judgmental to being curious, exploring it through the lives of Ben, Joseph, and Grace.
You see, our emotions play a colossal role in how we react to situations. Ben, our protagonist, has one such revealing conversation with Joseph, where he talks about the judger hijack. It's that instant where a comment, a situation, or even a glance can make us go into defensive mode. We've all been there: that sharp retort, that hasty decision made in a fit of anger. But Joseph throws in a golden nugget: while it's human to occasionally fall prey to the judger hijack, it's essential to catch ourselves and redirect our thoughts.
Now, it's easy to mistake being judgmental with exercising judgment. Here's the catch: the former is about fault-finding, while the latter aids in decision-making. Think about a time you might have jumped to conclusions about someone's character, instead of understanding their actions. It can strain communication, muddle our relationships, and more so, box us into a constant loop of negativity.
So, how does this relate to you? Enter the choice map. The choice map is a mental guide Ben discovers, designed to help individuals navigate their reactions. Picture it as a roadmap that highlights two routes: one leading to the stormy domain of the judger and another steering toward the serene lands of the learner. This map encourages self-awareness, helping individuals identify which path their thoughts are heading down. For example, instead of asking "Why can't they do anything right?", the map prompts a shift toward learner-oriented queries like "How can I assist them to thrive?". Such a subtle change in questioning can immensely transform relationships and nurture mutual understanding.
Imagine bringing this into your daily interactions. Ben started seeing the ripples of this change with his wife, Grace, when their discussions moved from blame games to constructive conversations. Grace, too, resonated with this new approach, embracing the choice map's principles both at home and at work. Picture the relationships you could mend, the arguments you could avoid, and the bridges you could build by simply altering the nature of your questions.
If there's one thing to take away here, it's this: our questions shape our world. They can confine us in judgment or liberate us with curiosity. The choice, as Ben and Grace discovered, truly is in our hands. So next time you find yourself on the verge of a judger hijack, pause and ask yourself: "What's a more open-minded question I can pose?". The journey from judgment to curiosity begins with just that.
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What is Change Your Questions, Change Your Life about?
Change Your Questions, Change Your Life (2009) shows how the queries you pose can reshape your thinking and outcomes. Delve deep into the transformative power of inquiry to shift from a judgmental mindset to a learning stance. Through compelling stories and actionable insights, you'll discover the art of asking the right questions, sparking both personal growth and profound connections.
Change Your Questions, Change Your Life Review
Change Your Questions, Change Your Life (2009) by Marilee Adams is an insightful book that explores the power of asking the right questions to create positive change in our lives. Here's why you should read it:
- It offers a practical framework for transforming our thinking patterns and improving our communication skills.
- The book is filled with real-life examples and relatable stories that illustrate the impact of asking better questions in different areas of life.
- Through clear explanations and actionable exercises, it empowers readers to take control of their thoughts and emotions, leading to greater self-awareness and personal growth.
Who should read Change Your Questions, Change Your Life?
- Professionals seeking personal growth and improved communication
- Coaches and therapists enhancing their questioning techniques
- Individuals navigating personal or relational challenges
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Change Your Questions, Change Your Life FAQs
What is the main message of Change Your Questions, Change Your Life?
The main message of Change Your Questions, Change Your Life is that questioning is a powerful tool that can transform our thinking and lead to personal growth.
How long does it take to read Change Your Questions, Change Your Life?
The reading time for Change Your Questions, Change Your Life varies. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Change Your Questions, Change Your Life a good book? Is it worth reading?
Change Your Questions, Change Your Life is worth reading as it provides valuable insights into how changing our questions can change our lives and improve our relationships.
Who is the author of Change Your Questions, Change Your Life?
The author of Change Your Questions, Change Your Life is Marilee Adams.
What to read after Change Your Questions, Change Your Life?
If you're wondering what to read next after Change Your Questions, Change Your Life, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel
- Read People Like a Book by Patrick King
- Scarcity Brain by Michael Easter
- What Every BODY is Saying by Joe Navarro
- Do Hard Things by Steve Magness
- The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee
- The Simple Path to Wealth by J L Collins
- Good Leaders Ask Great Questions by John C. Maxwell
- The Silent Language of Leaders by Carol Kinsey Goman
- Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans