The questions we ask

 

“I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers which can’t be questioned” Richard Feynman

My 6-year-old daughter is going through the “How?” phase in life. She is constantly asking how everything works. A recent question she asked is how do airplanes fly? With the aid of technology, I was able to show her a video that explains in detail how airplanes fly. I learned a valuable lesson from my daughter—asking “How?”.

We are familiar with the usual who, what, when, and where questions. These questions are very useful because they are tools that help us zero in on a topic.

In learning something new I use these questions to organize the information. For example, if I were to look at information on financial advice:

Who?

Look at the author’s background and credentials. Is it someone I trust?

What?

Note what the author is talking about. Is it Saving? Investing?

When?

Ensure the information is relevant. Is it advice from the 90’s or pre-2008? Or is it current?

Where?

Where can the information be applied? Do i just need online access, or is a trip to the bank or local investor’s office needed?

Why?

Should I follow the advice, the authors track record, not just because they called themselves “experts” means that they are.

How?

This is the secret sauce question, this question leads to action. How does it work? How do I start investing? How can I be doing things differently?

Next time you are trying to learn new information, ask ‘why’ and ‘how’ instead of just the usual ‘what.’ It’s by asking these questions that leads to growth as individuals and progress as a society.

Thank you,

Rogelio H. Charles