READ THE MONEY MIRROR
ISSUE #25
Learning to Ask Better Questions
Mary sat quietly for a moment.
“Breed, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“We've talked about a lot of things since my husband died. Money. Fear. Decisions. Why people sometimes do things that don't seem to make sense.”
Breed nodded.
“And the more we've talked,” Mary continued, “the more I realize how much I still don't know.”
“Does that bother you?”
Mary smiled. “Honestly? Yes. I thought the more I learned, the more answers I'd have.”
“Maybe learning isn't always about having more answers.”
Mary looked at him.
“What else would it be about?”
Breed smiled.
“Learning to ask better questions.”
Mary thought about that.
“Better questions?”
“Think about where you started. When you felt overwhelmed, what did you want to know?”
Mary didn't have to think long.
“'What am I supposed to do?'”
“Exactly. But before you can answer that question, there may be others you need to ask first.”
“Like what?”
“What are you trying to accomplish? What do you understand? What don't you understand? What information might you be missing?”
Mary nodded slowly.
“And maybe why I'm feeling uncomfortable about the decision?”
Breed looked at her.
“That might be one of the most important questions.”
“Because fear can influence the decision?”
“Fear. Past experiences. Assumptions. Sometimes we react before we understand what we're reacting to.”
Mary was quiet for a moment.
“So I don't have to know everything before I can move forward.”
“No one does.”
“But I do need to be willing to admit what I don't understand.”
Breed smiled.
“And then?”
Mary smiled back.
“Ask a better question.”
We often think the goal is to find the right answer.
Sometimes the better place to begin is with the right question.
Before making an important financial decision, ask yourself:
What am I trying to accomplish?
What do I understand?
What don't I understand?
What information might I be missing?
You don't need all the answers.
But better questions can help you find the answers that matter.
Reflection
The next time you're facing an important financial decision, don't begin with:
What should I do?
Try asking:
What do I need to understand before I decide?
Sometimes the path to a better decision begins with a better question.
Richard Sowa, Founder – Read The Money Mirror
FINANCIAL DECISIONS ARE NEVER JUST FINANCIAL.
Disclaimer: this newsletter is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
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