When faced with a decision or to overcome an issue, we need to be able to see options and to explore them. We need to be able to ask ourselves and others the appropriate question. One powerful question you can ask yourself is “What If?”.
What If question allows you to think outside of the box. It allows for “crazy” options and no boundaries to what you can and cannot do. Allow yourself the option to break through your current thought process and think about the possibilities.
For example, you are feeling that you are not moving forward in a certain project, too many stumbling blocks or resistance, ask yourself the following:
- What If I approached the challenge differently, what would that look like?
- What If I could do this or that to overcome the barrier?
- What If I could re-frame the issue?
- What if I reached out to someone else to help me figure the issue out?
There is no limit to the possibilities or options once you can the brainstorming hat on. Your mind will automatically help you generate all sort of scenarios and options and therefore help you to see beyond the issue to a possible solution.
Let’s take a look at how you might want to use the “What If”:
- Faced with Fear : Ask Yourself:
- What if my worst fear is not that bad? What if I did not let my fear stop me from doing A or B?
- What if I broke down the fear to smaller bits? Is it still as daunting?
- Faced with a decision: Ask yourself:
- What if I did A or B or C?
- What if I re-frame the challenge?
- What if I did not make a decision?
- What if the decision I made is wrong?
- What if I made the right decision?
You can use this technique in any situation to see other possibilities and to test out options in your mind. Once you have different options, it is always a good idea to talk it through a friend just to check and balance the ideas. Remember that its beneficial for the thought process to think of the “What If” scenario in the moving forward or positive path.
Lisa Lam : Coach | Trainer | Consultant 