The Three Questions

10523574_10154416948040352_5482798350173074326_nNow that May is over and June is here the excitement of a new adventure grows. As I get ready for training for my new job as  part-time faculty at Quinnipiac University, I’ve been going over the textbook for the Inquiry Based Learning course I’ll be teaching A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger. It is a very interesting book which explores the habit of questioning. It presents three questions shaping the process of change and applicable to many areas of life. The three questions are:

  • Why?
  • What if?
  • How?

The first question “Why?” establishes conscience of the status quo and questions it. We get used to the status quo and continue living in it without taking time to ask ourselves “why are we doing this?” or “why are we doing this way?”. We can question the question itself. Without questioning the status quo we can’t perceive the possibilities of change and there is where the second question comes into place. “What if?” paints a picture of a desired scenario. “What if things were different?” “What if we could change what we have now to what we need?” We can think of opportunities for change with that question. Of course, we need a bridge between the current and the preferred scenario.

We can’t stop at dreaming of a different situation. It is necessary to move into action. Many won’t get pass the “What if?” but some will. “How?” is the process of connecting the “Why?” and the “What if?”. Here is where change happens. It is a process and it requires effort and hard work. That is why many don’t cross the bridge. Those who dare to cross the bridge achieve the realization of their dream.

June is here with new opportunities to question and start crossing the bridge. We get that opportunity each day. I want to invite you to give yourself a chance and try something different. Check out the sculpting and painting parties. It will help you disconnect to connect back and change your perspective on challenge and these parties are a lot of fun too. I want to invite you to also join the conversation Wednesday, June 3 for a live chat broadcast of the Creative Chat Cafe. You might find something inspiring and motivating to make your way across the bridge.

Comments (2)

  1. Ian Trevor Martin

    Beware the Socratic method ,repackaged as “critical thinking”..artists do this quite naturally ,” analysis does NOT Necessarily, lead to wisdom…”Data is NOT information !,Information is NOT Knowledge,!,Knowledge is not WISDOM !. for that you needs must ZEN (Buddhism),Whirling Dervishes,Dumb Luck !
    YMHS Ian

    • I believe there is a difference between the two. At the same time, there is a difference between critical thinking and the 3 question method.

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