How can I set up a new business? How can I learn German? How can I run 5K in under 30 minutes?
What happens when you read these two sets of questions? By adding a simple word “How” – the questions become very different. The first questions may elicit a single yes or no answer, it may even bring up fears and concerns before you have even started. The second set of questions tend to bring up a different response, launching you into finding solutions.
It reminds me of one of my very early blog posts “How can I make it easier for myself?” (1). The brain goes into thinking mode and can get very creative. Marie Forleo, an American entrepreneur has the belief “Everything is figureoutable” and it is.
We can start with a google search and wham, you get lots of input straight away. If someone else has done it, you can learn from them and if someone else hasn’t done it yet, then you could be that pioneer. We can often apply principles in other areas of life to those that we are starting out in.
See what happens when you ask yourself a “How can I…” question and be open to what your amazing brain comes up with.
Footnotes
1) How can I make it easier for myself? Blog post