Better Questions

What’s in it for me?

How will this benefit me?

Who is helping me out?

What do I get out of this?

Have you found yourself asking these questions before? It’s an interesting approach to life, but one that is pretty self-centered. These kinds of questions are common when people feel they are the most important ones in the room.

There was a time, many years ago, when I was home alone with my little kids and Brian was in his residency training. I felt ignored, unappreciated, and undervalued. I remember calling my mom and telling her all about my pitiful situation. Like my mom often did, she pointed out the errors in my thinking. At first, I was annoyed at her lack of loyalty. However, I reluctantly pondered her advice and have kept her wisdom close to my heart ever since.

Sometimes—our truth is just our perception. And one of the best ways to change our perception is to look at our thinking. More specifically, we should be aware of the questions we are contemplating.

Personally, I think there are better questions to ask.

What am I doing to become the best version of myself?

How can I serve others?

Am I providing any value in the world?

What have I done for someone else today?

A simple shift in focus can make a world of difference in our lives. Try it.