What questions are you asking?

Our mental patterns and way of thinking often becomes habitual and when we feel stuck it feels like we are reasoning in circles. You can break the pattern by asking better questions. This is a technique used in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and is also used by Anthony Robbins.

State The Issue

Get out a piece of paper and write down what the issue, belief or problem is that you are facing. When we start asking questions about the issue, we are changing our way of thinking to enable us to solve the issue we couldn't resolve with our old way of thinking.

To address the issue and find a way out, we now need to direct the questions we ask ourselves related to this issue. There are two axis or dimensions along which to direct your questions.

Axis 1: General - Specific

The problem statement might be: "I'm not as proactive as I'd like to be."

This statement is a very general statement that seems to apply to my whole life. When we are moving along the General-Specific axis, we are trying to identify the particular area in which the problem actually lies.

So we ask questions to get details.

• When? When do I feel like I'm not as proactive as I'd like to be? After routine work is done.
• Where? Where do I feel like I'm not as proactive as I'd like to be? At work.
• With what? With what do I feel like I'm not as proactive as I'd like to be? Marketing my business.

Any question that narrows a broad problem statement down to specifics can be used.

Axis 2: Abstract - Sensory

You can also explore the issue along the axis of visual-, auditory-, and kinaesthetic sensations (VAK).

Asking these types of questions brings out what things are like for your senses and can make it clear what needs to be done to resolve it. For example, let's use the same example above: "I'm not as proactive as I'd like to be."

Questions we can ask to get more sensory details:

• Visual: What do I see as being proactive? Always on the phone, or writing an email for my business.
• Auditory: What would a proactive person hear? Nothing, he's busy working.
• Kinaesthetic (Feeling): What would being proactive feel like? Feel alive and full of energy.

Again, we've got more details that gives us something to work with.

Change your mind, change your life

By asking better questions about a problem or issue that we are facing we got clarity on what exactly the issue is. We've moved from something general to something more specific, and also something where we can see, touch and feel it.

Instead of an invisible demon that was holding us down, we've got a tangible concern that can be addressed more easily.

So whenever you feel like you are stuck in a rut, just stop. Ask yourself better questions. What is stopping you?

Wealthy thoughts:
For the journey - Inspired by Paulo Coelho in The Alchemist

His journey is a long one and it has many detours. But in the choices and circumstances he has to face, we have a look into our own personal journey to follow our dreams.

To take the risk

The choice isn't as clear cut as it is often told afterwards. Your life as it is now is satisfying and you are content. Why take a chance on something that might not work out?

In the book, Santiago is told that his dream tells of his own Personal Legend. And that one's purpose in life is to pursue your own legend. And that is what makes him sell everything and take off on his journey.

I'll take you there

There are many products, offers and salesmen out there that will sell you the secret of how to get rich. But they want the money up front, and the small print says 'Results not typical'. Wanting to learn how to become rich is a dream many have, and there are even more who will sell you the dream, but are not measured by the results you achieve.

Right off the bat, in the first city Santiago gets to, he gets scammed out of all his savings. A person in a bar promises to lead him where he wants to go, if he gets paid up front. But then the guy disappears with all his money.

Moderate Success

You start getting paid for results and results are good. This means that you have more money than you have ever had before. If possible, you are even more content than before. Why fix something if it ain't broken?

After having lost all his money, he finds a job working for another merchant. After making a success of the merchant's shop, he has made enough money to return to his idyllic life as a shepherd with an even bigger flock than he had before. Yet, the dream hasn't been realised yet. Go on or be satisfied with what you've achieved so far?

Love

This is something few people can plan, but it happens all the time. You fall in love with your soul mate. You were meant for each other. You get married and settle down. Or do you?

Santiago sets off through the desert to find his treasure. While traveling with a caravan, he falls in love with a girl at an oasis. As his affections is reciprocated, he is again faced with a choice. Stay with the love of your life, or chase an uncertain dream, perhaps never to return?

Doing the impossible

When you reach a place you've never thought you'd reach, you often get asked to do things you've never thought were possible. So when your journey leads you to such an impossible place, who are you to say that what can't be done?

In the desert Santiago and his guide (the alchemist) is beset by armed men. And the alchemist negotiates their freedom if Santiago can change himself into the wind. After struggling with how to do this, he finally does it and is set free to find his treasure.

The dream is different from the destination

Coming to the end of your journey, when your dream is within reach, you might realise that this isn't where you'd thought you'd be. Though the dream has stayed the same, the destination might have changed.

When Santiago at last reaches the spot where his treasure should be buried, he is accosted by robbers who force him to search for the treasure so they can take it. But he finds nothing and the robbers leave him. One of them tells him that he is foolish to have chased his dreams as he had a similar dream on this spot about a treasure near sheep in Andalucia. So Santiago goes back to his home and finds the buried treasure there.

There are many lessons in parable of The Alchemist. And on your own journey, you can associate with many of them. Or none of them. And to then ask should you continue on your journey or turn back. I'd like to answer by paraphrasing a T.S. Elliott, quote, that even if after all your travels you end up back where you began, it would all have been worthwhile for you'll know the place for the first time.

1. Buy bulk. Per item cost of things go down when you buy in bulk, but only if you would have used that much anyway.
2. Declutter. Decluttering gives you less things to worry about and if you sell some of your junk, you can get some pocket money.
3. Diversify your income streams. Getting money only from a salary? Try getting a savings account to earn interest, or invest in property and get rent. It all ads up.