What helps you figure things out?

Caroline sat at a table with her chin propped on her hand. She is smiling and wearing a bright pink and red patterned dress. In front of her is a leopard print notebook, patterned mug, and various post-its in shades of pink.

When you’re trying to figure something out, what helps you find your answer?

✨ An open-ended question or some options to choose from?

✨ A blank sheet of paper or a framework to fill in?

✨ To create from scratch or have a menu of choices?

Life is made up of a multitude of decisions - big and small - from what to eat, to how to approach a difficult conversation, or even what to do next with our lives or work.

When we have a clear sense of what we want it can be easy, but often we don’t.

So how do we find our answer out of all the possibilities and options that exist? What’s the process that works for us, the type of question that helps us figure out our unique solutions?

For some of us it starts with spaciousness. An open-ended question and the time to explore it is a gift. We can close our eyes and tune into our imagination, or let our thoughts and words wander until they find the answer.

For some of us it starts with narrowing down. Some Yes or No questions, options or choices are a gift. They give us something to respond to and build on. We can find our feet and take it from there.

And sometimes it’s a dance between the two. Opening up and narrowing down, until the answer that feels right is ready to emerge.

So, if you’re trying to figure something out at the moment - have a think about what would be most useful.

Do you need a question to open up your thinking?

Or some to help to narrow it down?

Wishing you a week of figuring things out in the way that works for you,