Why Not Ask Questions?

There's an African proverb that says, "A stranger who asks for directions never gets lost." This is true` in every area of life. Whether you are visiting a national park, or just on an errand somewhere around town, asking questions makes life much much easier.

You probably don't ask questions because you are shy - yea an introvert - or simply like to discover things by yourself. And you've always thought that's the right way. Consider the following reasons why you need to have a rethink.

Asking questions...

1. saves you time

Your "finding out" process is fast-tracked when you ask questions. There are some "technical" issues you will need SOMEONE to provide you with a straight forward answer to, to be able to move to the next level. Without the relevant expertise, it would be a waste of time trying to figure out same all by yourself. Remember, "time is (more than) money."

2. saves you stress

Whenever you search for something and can't find it, you become impatient and possibly annoyed. Long searches could also be the cause of headache, anxiety and other forms of stress. Why choose to enroll in the school of hard knocks? Asking would simply do away with all the stress associated with searching.

3. saves you money (in most cases)

Imagine paying your transportation fare to a wrong destination simply because you did not ask questions at the bus station.

The amount wrongly spent will simply not be gotten back. Even worse is the fact that you received nothing in return.

4. saves you energy

When you don't ask questions, most times you finish by finding out that you did not follow the right procedure. The energy wasted by you not asking questions could be directed to other tasks. It is true that he who seeks, finds. But he who asks, "finds", with little or no energy spent in the process.

5. gives you an "expert" perspective

Searching comes about when we're in need of relevant information; when we are in need of an answer. When you ask questions, someone more knowledgeable on the subject matter might provide you with, not only the exact answer, but in some cases, insight that could open up your mind to other possibilities. As the saying goes, "knowledge is power."

6. prevents you from simply getting it all WRONG

Have you ever imagined what it would be like if "doing it all by yourself" led you to completely messing up things? What a horrible experience that would be!

To conclude

If asking questions saves us from a whole lot of consequences in our everyday life, why don't we practise same here at WA? The entrepreneurial lifestyle we have all subscribed to is not a traditional classroom where everyone is expected to do "independent work". Here, we are allowed to ask our "classmates" when we don't know the right answer. Here, the "do it all by yourself" way doesn't work. What works is the communal approach. Who knows? Your not asking questions could be the reason why things aren't as clear as they should be. Consider the above reasons, and begin asking questions. Your breakthrough could be just a step away.