The Mighty Power of “Focusing Questions”

Hey there, fellow knowledge seekers! Today, let’s dive into the surprisingly entertaining world of “focusing questions.” Now, I know what you’re thinking — questions? Entertaining? But stick with me here. Imagine you’re an author, and you ask me the age-old, worn out, question “How do I sell more books?” Sounds simple, right? But here’s the catch — it’s as vague as asking a chef how to cook food. You’re likely to get an answer as helpful as a chocolate teapot.

You see, vague questions are a bit like asking a GPS for directions without a destination — you’re going nowhere, fast. You might get a generic response like “effective marketing,” which, let’s be honest, is as enlightening as realizing water is wet. Or, you could end up in a 120-hour marathon session on book marketing, emerging more confused than a chameleon in a bag of Skittles.

But fear not! There’s a superhero in the world of questions, and it’s called the “focusing question.” It’s like a magnifying glass that brings clarity to your confusion. Start with, “What’s keeping me from selling more books?” Suddenly, you’re not just wandering in the wilderness; you’ve got a path.

Imagine an author scratching their head, saying, “I don’t know where to promote my book.” Aha! Time for another focusing question — “What’s keeping me from knowing where to promote?” It’s like peeling an onion, layer by layer, except with fewer tears.

The answer might be, “I don’t know where my ideal readers hang out.” Keep digging with, “What’s keeping me from knowing where my ideal readers are?” And then, “Who even ARE my ideal readers?” Now, we’re cooking with gas!

Finally, you land on a goldmine of a question, “How do I discover who my ideal readers are?” It’s specific, focused, and miles ahead of our original, vague SOS signal.

But wait, there’s more! Just when our author thinks they’ve hit the jackpot, they realize there are more questions. It’s a never-ending game of intellectual whack-a-mole. The key is to focus enough to take one step at a time. It’s like building a bridge over a river of confusion, one plank at a time.

So, next time you find yourself with a “How do I…?” type of question, channel your inner detective. Narrow down with a few rounds of “What’s keeping me from…?” questions. It’s like sharpening a pencil — the finer the point, the clearer the writing.

Remember, the more focused the question, the more valuable the answer. Now go out there and ask away — your answers await!

Stay curious and take care!

Ready to Unleash Your Potential? Connect with Us!

If you’ve found this journey through the power of focusing questions enlightening and you’re eager to take your next step, why not reach out for expert guidance?

Connect with Eric G. Reid, the Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief at Skinny Brown Dog Media. Whether you’re a budding author, a curious entrepreneur, or simply on a quest for personal growth, Eric and his team are here to help you zoom in on your goals.

🌐 Discover more at http://SkinnyBrownDogMedia.com

📧 Drop us an email: Eric@EricGReid.com

Don’t let your questions remain unanswered. Let’s focus, discover, and grow together!