Did you know that our minds can think up to 60,000 thoughts in a day? Did that question get you thinking? What about that one?!!! Your unconscious mind (or higher SELF) will have begun searching back into your ‘database’ to see if you know the answer.

This is what makes questions so powerful, you ask and your mind starts a search for the answer. Ask the right question and who knows what that might lead to!

Even though we may think up to 60,000 thoughts in a day, more often than not they are the same thoughts, over and over, using less than 10% of your brain! Unfortunately, most of the questions are also negative or fear-based.
So how do I teach myself to access and use the other 90% of my brain? Great question. The answer? Ask the right question!

Do you know why questions are so important? Well because your brain is wired to answer them! The asking of questions instantly gets you searching for an answer, setting up a solution-focused outcome.

This happens EVERY TIME you ask a question. Think about it, have you ever asked yourself “What should I wear today?� then not given yourself an answer!

When doesn’t your brain search for a solution? Well actually it always does, but there is a way to limit the use of your mind. How? Provide it with a ‘put on the brakes’ answer to your question. How do I do that? By using phrases such as “I don’t know� or “I’m not sure�. The number one ‘get yourself off the hook quick’ solution to killing your creative mind!

If you find yourself using the phrase, relax you’re not alone! If it has become a habit there is something you can do for yourself. Just try this simple exercise over the next month and see what results it produces:

If you find yourself saying “I don’t know� (a teenage classic!!) and it automatically leaves your mouth without you being able to stop it, then you need to give yourself a trigger that will support you in changing that habit.

Here is what you do:

Close your eyes and bring up the word NO! in capital letters, in a bright colour as large as you like and in 3D for impact. Make sure you include the exclamation mark. Have it come towards you very fast, starting small then growing larger until it is as close as you feel is comfortable.

(okay: if you’re ego just entered the “I don’t know how to do that� conversation, bring up a picture of the room you sleep in, what about the door to your place of residency, try picturing someone you love�. Okay, now you know you can create visual pictures, go back and create NO!)

Straight after the NO! and underneath it, place the words “Cancel That�. Place those words next to the word NO if you prefer and make them all capital letters, whatever causes the biggest impact for you.

Now let them fade away and do it again. Say the words “I don’t know� (or whatever phrase stops you) and see the words “NO! Cancel That� rush towards you.

If you enjoy sounds then include music. What is your favourite piece of music? Something uplifting. Have that tune come on now as you see the words “NO! Cancel That� appear and play it loud, even louder!

You can use this if you want to stop saying negative things or engaging in gossip, or talking about yourself in a negative way. Maybe you stop yourself from having fun or are afraid to give up control. Whatever it is for you, a bad habit or negative talk or even negative thoughts that you want to stop engaging in this simple yet powerful and effective tool can help.

First you will have to bring the words up consciously (bring them up yourself) as the words come out of your mouth, but eventually, your unconscious mind (or higher self) will take over and automatically whenever you are engaging in negative talk or actions the words will “fly� in front of your eyes, until eventually, because you know they are going to come up, you don’t bother saying it at all!

Now… back to asking the right question!

How do I know I am asking the “right� question? First there is no right or wrong question! The word “right� is there to pacify your conscious mind. If you know there is a right question you know you are doing it right so you won’t be doing it wrong, so you won’t fail… boy are we hard on ourselves or what!

Whatever question you ask will lead you to think about a solution or possible answer and then search for another question if you need further clarification. Remember, there is no wrong question. There are just questions that may need re-wording so your answer remains positive, and this will come with practise.

You can limit the number of questions you need to ask yourself by thinking about:

What do I need to know?
What outcome do I want to achieve?
What is it you are solving or finding out about by asking the question?
What would be really useful to ask?

What if I usually ask negative questions? Firstly, give yourself a break! You may have been asking negative questions until you read this article, but now, as you begin to choose a different way, you will train your mind to search for positive questions and solutions in every situation.

If you keep a journal or diary make a note of negative questions or thoughts and write them down so that you become consciously aware of them. You will notice that each time you say them your unconscious mind will make you consciously aware of it and you will choose to say something different next time.

It does that by suddenly making the question seem loud as it leaves your mouth or people around will ask you the very same negative question you are always asking, but now you are aware of it, so it will be more pronounced!

As you take on this new process, tune into where your negative questions/thoughts are coming from. What limiting belief, false expectation, or blame culture are they keeping in place?

Questions that create bad feelings and stress include:

• How could this person do this to me?
• Why have you not sorted this out already?
• How many times have I asked you to deal with this?
• Why do we not have this in place already to deal with it?
• Why should I deal with this?
• How could you get yourself into this position?

How does it feel just reading these questions? This way of thinking will drain your energy and has the potential to leave the person you are questioning feeling powerless. But, to find the one positive intention here: in order to think these questions, you have to be making a comparison with something you DO actually want….or it wouldn’t be a problem.

So if you find yourself thinking about a negative question ask yourself, “What do I want to happen?� then ask from that place.

Here is a list of empowering questions to start you off and I encourage you to find your own. Questions are so much more powerful when we have thought of them.

Who can help me achieve my outcome?
What is great about this?
What can I learn from this to ensure I grow and develop?
What other support is available for me?
What action do I need to take to ensure I overcome this?
What will I do differently next time?
How many resources do I have available to help me?
What is really funny about this situation that I haven't noticed before?
What decisions do I need to make?
Who can I consult to help me make those decisions?
What am I willing to begin doing now (or stop doing now) to ensure a successful outcome?

How was that for you? Have you noticed how different it feels inside just reading these questions? Did they uplift you, or make you feel as though you can find the solution you need? These positive questions start engaging your higher mind, and your creativity providing new solutions, focusing your intention and making you more determined to succeed.

Make asking questions a life time condition and you will be able to get yourself through situations and events in an empowering way.

Diane Corriette
http://www.inspirationalguidance.co.uk
http://www.passiveincome.typepad.com