By Ken Kessler

Ken is going through a personal challenge right now. Two weeks before Christmas, he lost his left contact lens and switched to his glasses. He has worn contacts for the past 45 years because of poor eyesight. While the glasses help his blurry haze be somewhat more precise, nothing is crisp and fresh anymore. There is enough clarity and focus for him to see road signs and identify people. But the sharpness to get a clear picture is waiting on that new contact lens.

Ken is like many of us living in this world. In our fast-paced world, clarity and focus can feel like elusive goals. The constant influx of information, responsibilities, and distractions often leaves us feeling overwhelmed, confused, and foggy. But by harnessing the power of questions, we can cut through the fog, gain deeper insights, and move forward with intention. This article expands on how asking powerful questions can help us rise above the lack of clarity, focus, and better understand what God is doing in our lives.

The Importance of Questioning for Clarity

At its core, clarity is about understanding who you are, what God is doing in your journey, and how to pursue the richness of your relationship with God. The same could be said about your relationship with others and with the community of faith you serve; it is the difference between feeling stuck and taking decisive action. The right questions act as catalysts for this process, prompting self-reflection and guiding us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and our situations. Jesus brought clarity to a person’s journey with powerful questions in the Gospels. Look at his encounter with the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-27):

·      Questions help us avoid assumptions: Instead of jumping to conclusions, asking questions encourages us to seek a full understanding of the facts of the present situation. This understanding is crucial in personal and community settings, as assumptions can lead to misunderstandings and poor decision-making.

·      Questions encourage active listening: Asking clarifying questions shows engagement and a desire to comprehend what is being communicated accurately. This type of active listening is not passive, but rather involves a two-way conversation, making everyone feel heard and valued.

·      Questions reveal new perspectives: By posing questions, we can invite ourselves and others to consider different viewpoints and challenge our existing beliefs. This revelation can be beneficial when dealing with complex issues or feeling stuck in a particular mindset.

·      Questions can help to clarify values: Thoughtful questions can reveal what truly matters to us, allowing us to align our actions with our values and move toward a more purposeful life.

What Types of Questions Promote Clarity?

Clarifying questions are essential for ensuring mutual understanding. They help to fill in the gaps, encouraging the speaker to be more specific. These questions also offer feedback to the speaker about which parts of their message were unclear. Examples include:

·      What do you mean by [specific term]?

·      What details can you provide that show an example of [specific aspect]?

·      How else could you explain that [concept]?

·      What is an example of how that happened?

·      Sometimes, even a reflective statement like “tell me more” or “say more about that” can be revealing.

Open-ended questions encourage detailed responses, requiring a person to think, reflect, and provide more than a simple “yes” or “no.”

·      What aspects of your current situation are fulfilling, and which ones are not?

·      What does success look like for you?

·      What steps can you take to achieve your goals?

·      How might you respond differently in the future?

An effective coach uses these open-ended questions to promote self-reflection and evaluation in the client’s or community’s life. They may use questions like:

·      What’s holding you back?

·      What is it costing you to continue holding back?

·      How could you show up differently?

·      What is a new perspective that you could adopt right now?

·      What is the most meaningful action you could take right now?

·      What new habits will you put in place right now?

·      What new skills or support systems will ensure your success?

·      How can I bring more joy and fulfillment into my life?

·      What steps can I take to use my natural talents and skills in a way that serves others?

How to Integrate Questions into Your Clarifying Journey

·     Journal: Use journal prompts based on powerful questions. Write about thoughts and feelings without censoring or editing.

·     Meditate: Use questions from scripture to connect with the Lord. Quiet the external noise and create space for the Spirit.

·     Seek a coach trained in asking powerful questions: Talk through opportunities and challenges with a trusted coach.

·     Create a habit of asking questions for four minutes a day: You can see patterns that can lead to new solutions by writing down questions. A project called 4-24 encourages people to ask as many questions as they can about their day for 4 minutes every 24 hours. (See https://4-24project.org/ for more information.)

·     Get outside and move: Being in nature can open your mind and bring clarity. Walking in a natural setting combines the benefits of movement and fresh air.

·     Prioritize self-care: Taking care of your physical and mental health can improve clarity. Prioritize relaxation, establish boundaries, and avoid overcommitting yourself.

Questions are powerful tools that can foster clarity and focus for individuals, teams, and organizations. By incorporating the habit of questioning into our daily lives, we can avoid assumptions, improve communication, discover new perspectives, and gain more profound self-awareness. When asking questions with intention and skill, we can unlock deeper insights, make better decisions, and move forward confidently and purposefully. By focusing on the quality of our questions, we enhance our clarity and focus and create a world with better understanding and more meaningful interactions. Our vision will be sharper and more precise as we see things from a renewed perspective.

Action Item: Find four minutes today and create a question burst. Think about a challenge or opportunity and write as many questions as possible for four minutes. Then, you can begin living into the answers for the remainder of the day.

Ken Kessler is the director of BGAV's Empower Coaching Network.