The Most Powerful Word in Our Language
I recently shared a Max Moment about The Most Dangerous Word in Our Language. So what I thought I would do today is juxtapose that with one of The Most Powerful Words in Our Language...
Before I do let me give you a little context. As a coach to high performers, I am constantly searching for ways to help the people I work with look at their situation in a different way and through a different lens. Because what got you to where you are today might be the very thing holding you back from where you want to go. This often takes a different level of thinking.
With that said I was recently having a conversation with a very successful leader who was sharing some of the problems they were facing in their world at the moment. To challenge them I asked a question that would require a different level of thinking. The answer they gave is for me one of The Most Powerful Words in Our Language...
After I asked the question, their response was simply this "Hmmm"...and after a long pause followed up with..."I have not thought of it like that before".
"Hmmm" is a powerful word because it is a natural response to the brain having to think in ways that challenge us to search for the answers we seek. It is the sound you make when you are genuinely wondering about something you really want to know.
This takes asking challenging questions. Questions that generate a sense of curiosity, wonder and next level thinking. The reason these questions are important is because when you inquire into something your heart and mind really wants to know, you create a space for your passion, creativity and true self to appear.
Asking challenging questions challenges the status quo, and we need that in order for us to grow. For instance I remember the first time I read this quote from Buckminster Fuller:
"What is my job on the planet? What is it that needs doing, that I know something about, that probably won't happen unless I take responsibility for it?"
What do you think was the first word I said after I read it..."Hmmm!"
For me, it was a moment of wonder because I did not have the answer, but my heart and mind was curious to figure it out.
So my encouragement for you is to notice the next time you use The Most Powerful Word in Our Language..."Hmmm". Then find out what your heart and mind is curious to figure out, because it will help you unlock the NEXT LEVEL in your life!
Choose to make today a GREAT day and always choose to Live Life 2 The Max!
Wishing you well on your success journey...
Max
