THINKING AS QUESTIONING

What is thinking? One answer is that it is representation. That’s because you think by representing something in your mind by using the sensory-systems so that you see, hear, sense, smell, taste, or give words to your thoughts. The representational systems comprise the human code of “thought.” Do you want to change a thought? Change how you represent things.

Another answer is that it is questioning. True enough, we mostly conceptualize thinking and thoughts in terms of answers and yet where there is an answer, there is a question. Now we know that ideas, concepts, beliefs, understanding, etc. that you come up with, and think in your mind, are representational statements. Yet what is a statement but an “answer” to a concern (a question) that you are thinking about? So regarding these propositional statements (ideas, beliefs, premises, etc.), how far fetched would it be to consider that they imply answers?

Test it. Take a definitive statement such as, “That’s the way to the mall.” Could that actually imply a question like, “What is the way to the mall?” Or consider this one, “Wow! He really slugged that ball when he hit it.” Could that imply questions such as, “Did he hit the ball?” “How well did he hit it?”

Now while I don’t know that we can say that all thinking involves questioning, its obvious that a lot of thinking is actually questioning. Maybe even most thinking is actually an internal questioning that seeks answers. Given this, then to think is to question. What we call thinking inherently asking and answering questions. It’s what we do in our minds. Yet this facet of thinking is mostly outside of conscious awareness. Focusing, as we do, on the answers— we hardly notice the questions that call forth the answers. Yet they are there and they are directing our focus, our perceiving, our understanding, and our answers.

Let’s now get personal. What hidden questions are you asking-and-answering in your mind as you “think?” Do you know? Do you know how to know? Whatever it is— that meaning- making process is actually key to all of your experiences and the very quality of your life. In NLP we say that “questions directionalize the brain,” that is, questions give your brain a direction in which to go. “What model of car is that?” “Are there more women then men in that room?” We also know that questions create your focus— what you pay attention to. They define the very meanings (understandings, beliefs, values, etc.) that you are creating.

But all questions are not created equal. Some questions are empowering and bring out your best and some questions are dis-empowering and undermine your effectiveness. Questions can be terrible and toxic and they also can be brilliant and enlightening. What are yours? Here are some examples of dis-empowering questions that if you give these to your brain— you’ll create

lots of misery and pain: It never works out for me, so what’s the use of trying? Why do these kinds of terrible things always happen to me? How could he do that to me? Why does life have to be so unfair and cruel?

Conversely, here are some examples of wonderful questions that you’re brain will love answering and in the process will mobilize your creativity: What am I learning from this that will build up new resources? What can I do today that will increase my effectiveness and productivity? What can I enjoy today and use to be happy about? How can I add more value to what I’m doing? Who do I love and how can I be a better lover? What changes would I like to make that will make me a more grateful person?

It is precisely because questions are so powerful in creating meaning, establishing a direction in life, accessing internal and external resources, etc. that we put a lot of emphasis on the quality of questions in NLP and Meta-Coaching trainings. After all, what is the Meta-Model but a set of questions? Questions that are designed to enable a person to think critically and creatively and thereby generate a mental model that is more accurate, precise, and effective.

In the movie, The Matrix, Trinity said to Neo, “It’s the question that drives us.” That’s what questions do— they establish a drive within us. Because of that we use “the core question” (a NLP technique that arose in the 1980s) in our Trainers’ Training to provide trainers a powerful personal direction when training Core Question. This is a process for flushing out the driving questions currently in the back of your mind. Then you can run a quality control on the question.

To elicit a core question, ask, “If your presentation was the answer to a question, what’s the question?” Unuseful and even toxic questions are like these: “How can I impress my audience with my brilliance?” “How can I avoid making a mistake and looking like a fool?” More useful and empowering questions are like these: “How can I present this so everyone learns easily and has lots of fun?” “How much more value can I add to this presentation?”

The bottom line? To change your life, change your question. Take on new empowering questions that will establish a new orientation and give you more joy and peace and love in life. Questions are that powerful. Or maybe I should write, “Do you know how powerful questions can be? Are you ready to develop some truly brilliant questions that will orient you in new and exciting ways? What would be the most fascinating question that you could plant in your mind today that would unleash you to be more authentic, caring, and committed?”

For Meta-Model questions, get the book Communication Magic (2001) and for Critical thinking, get Executive Thinking (2018). See www.neurosemantics.com to order.