Questioning the questions - A reflection practice

© Jenn Shallvey

Shared from the recent newsletter - a reflection practice.

As we soon turn the page to a new year it is a time to reflect and review. You may or may not be inclined to participate in such a practice. So before you are scared off with this suggestion note that this reflection practice is NOT about creating resolutions. Not at all. Instead it is about creating and pondering questions that will take you to places within that are meaningful, deep and empowering.

The practice allows you to revisit and recycle the questioning any time of the year, not just now.

For those of you who work in business you will already have established reviews. So many abound that this post would be pages. For example:

1. What worked well, not so well. Or what do we keep doing, change / adjust.

2. S.W.O.T. [Strengths. Weaknesses. Opportunities. Threats.]

3. Forces for and against.

4. Lessons learned.

My favourite process tends to be a mix of 5W’s + H (Who, What, When, Where, Why and How) combined with a deep exploration using the question ‘Why’ over and over again.

The challenge of the questioning is to get out of the ‘should say’ and ‘think this is right’ into the ‘feels right’ and ‘know what is right for me’ state.

Part one
Ask others to suggest a question. Perhaps a close friend, colleague, partner, mentor, even a stranger. Check in with your intuition who feels right. Then ask them this question:

What question(s) would you suggest to me that I ask myself, ponder and contemplate at this point in my life and work?

Let the other offer up a question or more. The only rule is that they do not offer ANY other qualifying information as to why they suggest a particular question. Also you are under no obligation to share your answers later. That is entirely at your discretion.

Then you take the question(s) away for your own reflection. Ask in your contemplation, meditation and / or journal writing.

Consider:

1. What is my answer to this question? Then ask why. Then ask why. Keep going until you exhaust the question.

2. Then ponder for a moment on more of a meta level why was this the question I was given. In this scenario try not to relate your answer to the persona / personality of the questioner. Instead simply see the person as wise messenger helping you out.

Part two
Two questions to ask yourself:

What is the one question I am afraid most to be asked?

Once you have it then contemplate both the question and why you are afraid to be asked.

Also reflect on and notice the feelings you have in association with this.

Conversely, what is the one question I am 100% ready to be asked?

Contemplate this question in it’s own right.

Then consider this question and how it relates or does not relate to the one you are afraid to be asked.

Other perspective

As you weave together your questioning process you will begin to see more clearly your world view. You will also begin to know from a depth of your self your own answers.

Objectively involving others in your questioning process also invites a connection to others without having them tell you what they think you should do.

You are free to share your insights, keep them personal or anything in between. The main thing is be self supportive, practice suspending judgement and have a sense of curiosity, even fun with the exercise.

Enjoy.