100 Questions

I'm stealing a topic this week. I really have to share it with you because it & it's source have been so powerful for me.

One of my favorite websites is Think Arete by Brian Johnson. He covers a huge variety of Big Ideas on the site that provide "concentrated wisdom for the busy self-actualizer" (a statement I truly adore!).

Brian has an amazing knack for condensing the wisdom of many philosophers & bringing it to thousands through a variety of formats. His work has been an inspiration to me over the past 8 months & I'm excited to share one of my favorite Big Ideas with you.

Michael Gelb, in How to think like Leonardo da Vinci - Seven Steps to Genius Every Day writes, "Great minds ask great questions."

In Big Idea #37, Brian brings us Michael's wisdom of 100 Questions. He suggests we, "Find a comfortable place. Sit down. Write. Make a list of 100 questions you find interesting. Write about whatever’s on your mind."

Actually, this exercise is a bit daunting, but amazingly revealing & powerful!

So, go ahead, find a quiet place that you can remain undisturbed for at least an hour while you do this exercise & you'll be greatly rewarded.

Give yourself the freedom to brainstorm. Write whatever comes to mind...

"Why is the grass green?"

"What is my best talent?"

"What would I accomplish if I wasn't afraid?"

You get the idea. Run with it! If you get stuck, feel free to get silly for a moment or two. No question is a bad question. Just make sure you get 100. There will be a time (maybe more than one) when you feel like you're done & you can't come up with any more...don't quit! The best questions are probably still to come! Keep pushing through the exercise.

Now, once you get 100 questions, take a break.

Maybe a few hours later, maybe the next day, but not too long later, review your questions & look for themes. Are there meaningful themes that you wish to address in your life?

Now, pick 10 questions that are incredibly powerful for you. Rank these questions in importance from 1-10.

I still have all 100 questions from the day I sat down to do this exercise. Some are simple & silly. Others shake me to my soul. 10 spurred me forward towards commitments that have radically changed my life & relationships!

The really ironic thing is that none have been answered. I think I like it that way.

And...if you like this Big Idea & Think Arete, you'll LOVE PhilosophersNotes ! The easiest way to describe PhilosophersNotes: they’re kinda like mini-CliffsNotes for self-development books or “Concentrated wisdom for your hero’s journey.”

Blessings & Hope.

Kim