What if you think you can?

Tony Robbins says that the difference between successful and unsuccessful people is in the questions they ask themselves. Successful people ask empowering questions, and unsuccessful people ask non-empowering questions. Why is this important to know? Because, this means that you have the power to overcome any obstacle in your life.

What happens to most people when life presents an obstacle, challenge, difficulty, or problem is that they usually start asking non-empowering questions.

For example, when you get to the point where you see the need for an action that looks difficult, do you ever say to yourself, “What if I can’t do this?” Then all the negative scenarios and fears come up. And that usually stops most people from taking the required action—which does not lead to success. It’s not a very empowering question, is it?

So what would happen to that situation if you changed the question to, “What if I can?” Yes, what if you think you can do something difficult? What if you could really do whatever it takes to make your business or life a success?

The next time you find yourself stuck, or experiencing a situation that is difficult, take a look at the questions you are asking yourself. Are they non-empowering ones like…

Why is this (awful thing) happening to me?

Why can’t I make this (good thing) happen?

Why is this person doing this?

Why can’t I do this right?

What if I can’t complete this assignment?

What if I can’t do this?

I can’t do this because what if ___________(your fear) happens?

Now that you notice what you are asking, you can turn the situation around by asking better, more empowering questions like…

What can I learn from this situation?

What do I need to make this happen?

What am I afraid of?

How can I make this happen?

What do I need to believe to succeed at this?

What can I do to feel better about this?

You’ll never be able to solve a problem from the level of the problem. That doesn’t happen until you shift your mindset. That means that the best way to approach a problem is to shift your mindset first, then go to work on the problem. And the fastest way to shift your mindset is by asking empowering questions.

Start asking questions such as, “What makes you think you can?” Why can you do this difficult thing? This kind of question reminds your brain of all the resources you have available to you.

Here’s a simple exercise you can do as a morning ritual to start your day with a success attitude, and start turning around any uncomfortable or undesirable situation:

1) Get centered in a quiet place with a notebook or journal

2) Write down these 3 empowering questions:
How can I use my current situation as an opportunity?
What is one thing I can do today that I will feel good about at the end of the day?
What in my life can I be happy about right now?

3) Now close your eyes and meditate for 5 minutes and when you’re done, write down what comes to mind in your journal or notebook.

Remember that the brain is your servant—it will answer any question you ask. So be careful about what questions you ask it—make sure they are empowering. And my question to you is, “What if you think you can?”

Leave your comment on what empowering questions you use.