These questions have no right or wrong answers.
Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.
- How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
- Which is worse, failing or never trying?
- If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
- When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
- What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
- If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
- Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
- If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
- To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
- Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
- You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
- If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
- Would you break the law to save a loved one?
- Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
- What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
- How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
- What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
- Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
- If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
- Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
- Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
- Why are you, you?
- Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
- Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
- What are you most grateful for?
- Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
- Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
- Has your greatest fear ever come true?
- Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
- What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
- At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
- If not now, then when?
- If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
- Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
- Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
- Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
- If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
- Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
- Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
- When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
- If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
- Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
- What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
- When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
- If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
- What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
- When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
- What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
- In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
- Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
And check out these books for more thought-provoking questions:
- The Book of Questions
- If… (Questions For The Game of Life)
- The Complete Book of Questions: 1001 Conversation Starters for Any Occasion
Photo by: Sanctuary
gratis geld says
Nice list, they are good questions!
Siby says
Usually these lists are stupid and unoriginal, but for the most part, I liked this one.
Mike says
If I could add #51: How would you change your life if you knew retirement was not an option?
Too many people sacrifice current happiness for a ethereal someday that may never occur. Quit working so hard, concentrate on the things that matter.
(question via Tim Ferriss)
Casey says
I really love this post. Thank you!
Will says
Wow, just wow. Thanks for these deep and probing questions! Most things rarely make me think this hard about myself. 🙂
Alamar Fernandez says
RICHLY PROVOCATIVE.
Brijesh says
Amazing set of questions — I want to publish the same in my ‘infant blog’ (with the appropriate credits to you, of course)
May I do so — will act post approval.
Alexis M. says
It took me two days, but I answered every single question with a personal response and posted it on my blog. It can be read here- http://confessionsofsomeonealmost18.blogspot.com/2009/09/50-questions-that-will-free-your-mind.html
Jill says
Your blog continues to push the boundaries of my world.
Thank you? Is that even appropriate for life changing thought processes?
bob says
This reminds me of the lessons in some of Alan Watts’ books. Good read.
Feller says
If you free your mind than you have real freedom.
Gabe says
Thank you so much! I am an English teacher and often start class with a journal entry. Any one of these spark great writing and wonderful discussion. This is fantastic!
Amrita says
Amongst one of the most beautiful set of questions and ideas I have chanced upon.
Made me smile (a lot).. and think (even more).
And I found answers to questions I never even knew I was asking for 22 years now.
Was a lovely read. Thank you for sharing it with us. Looking forward to more such.
Take care.
Love.
(Mind if I paste this on my page along with complete credit to u and a link to your blog?)
Emily says
Recently I’ve been missing more and more school and work because I’ve been so sad. Today was one of those days. But today after reading this, it’s time to turn things around. Thank you so much.
caf says
I love the list and bookmarked it for later.
That said, I haven’t decided if it’s inspirational or depressing.
Alex91 says
Good morning! 🙂
I was looking for a way to send you guys a message hihi i didnt know we can leave comments here hahah now i know i just want to thank you for inspiring me to continue living. 18 years of having no friends, i alienate people for the promise of trivial success.. only to realize that i failed on both accounts. i was wondering if i could start over again. my life feels so empty i just want it to go away. then i stumbled on one of your articles and i was amazed with the thoughts on this site. truly inspiring. Thank you Marc and Angel and more power!
toby says
If you keep chasing the dollar, and only the dollar, you will always be broke. But if you chase your dreams, you’re doing something that makes you happy in the end.
Great read.
Ehsaan says
There’s some sort of motivation behind each of these questions… and I mentally answer them, acknowledging those notions. I think from now on, I’ll practice one of those answers per week and see where I go.
Benjamin says
Can you say thoughtgasm?
Donna says
Great questions. My husband died last year and many of these questions have crossed my mind. Life is very short, and that’s why I like #4 best. When all is said and done, will you have said more than you have done? In this hectic, busy world we live in, I’m afraid that many of us say a lot more than we do. I’m going to answer one of these questions each week, and see if it can make a difference in my life. Thanks for the article!!
Jo says
Read the questions about 5 times… pasted them on a document… and began answering… I didn’t stop to think, or analyse… I just wrote what I “FELT” in that moment… Thank you…
mirry says
I wish I could start my life all over, recently, I have been getting the feeling that I missed a door somewhere and I am going in the wrong direction but I have gone too far…
Yvonne says
Hey! Thanks a lot for posting these questions. They really made me think. These questions came to me in time for the new year and making my new year’s resolutions. Thank you so much again.
~Yvonne
Terrin says
Filling this out and really thinking about these questions made me realize some of my hypocrisies and makes me motivated in improving my character.
Leah says
Marc,
These questions really made me think about some of the double standards in my own life. I will be marking them down in my journal and trying to improve what I didn’t like. Keep up the good work! I love getting your blog in my in box. It always touches my heart.
bertjeNL says
I love these questions. I have never thought like this before… it’s opening my eyes.
Thanks.
simplistic thoughts says
Awesome list. “We will have said more than we have done”. Sad, but true.
Business Gas says
Great stuff. Really inspiring and thought provoking.
nizzle says
i am going to go to college
you good sir have asked the right question
Drania says
These are amazing! They made me think hard and realise some things, as well. I’ll be posting my answers on my blog and linking back here to you, so I hope my friends will have their minds engaged and their eyes opened as I have!
Nicoline says
This is the greatest thing ever written!
I am abolutely stunned!
I just realised so many things, so many things I want to do differently.
Thanks for the wake up call!
Give out love, it’s free. Peace!
KEVIN says
The way I was raised lest little room to let myself ask these questions. I dropped out of college to pursue a life in music. Since then I have never been happier with myself and what I do everyday. At some point you have to follow what you love no matter what. You must live and breath what you want to become before you can step back and see that you have arrived at your dream.
-Kevin DePree
adrian says
#23. No, I haven’t. But now, thanks to you, I am aware of the change I need to make to make the change I need. Thank you very much.
Alex says
#50. It’s hard to make your own decisions sometimes, when theres so many influences in your life. I always end up letting other people make my decisions, and instead, I’m going to start doing what I need to, instead of letting them decide.
Thank you, Marc
Matches Malone says
#50 sort of speaks for the other 49, if you ask me. And you did 🙂
Need Inspiration says
This is really good stuff. I love to think and these questions are exactly what I needed to get started on a random night 😀 thank you!
deewench says
This questions are so thought provoking. This made me reflect upon my actions and decisions in life. Thank You!
Truly this questions lead to what i really want in my life.
Ben Koshkin says
I hope more people read the questions and ponder their answers.
Ben Koshkin
Joyce says
Great questions, answering them now, and sending more people your way!
Matt Ingram says
If u never attached yourself to anything would you ever lose yourself? would you ever second guess anything? or would you just exist. worry free pain free. if we put immortality on a pedestal is that why it is unattainable? but if u already believe that it is in us could it not be there? if the thought is there is that not enough? only if we second guess it.
egzon says
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THESE QUESTIONS.
Monty says
I completely forgot what I started doing after I read the first 4 questions. I stopped right there. I wanted to make sure I don’t forget myself, lol 🙂
Candace says
I love these questions! They’ve really opened my mind and change my life. Thank you.
Dimitrios says
I love these questions. So much to think about now!!! I completely forgot what I started doing after I read the first 4 questions. I stopped right there. I wanted to make sure I don’t forget myself, lol. I love these questions! They’ve really opened my mind and change my life. Thank you
Vic says
Those are 50 deep questions that can really give us deep wisdom and insight if we will be able to answers them with concrete basis. In our site, we try to answer those type of questions with the help of the Scriptures.
pradeep pote says
This Question will actually make difference in my life from today. And I will try to make difference in other lives as well.
Ben says
i think the question why are you, you? makes u think alot
harshvardhan rane says
if thank you was the biggest word, i would say that to you 🙂
# 50 is xtremely layered 🙂
Lisa says
Thank you soooo much for posting this 🙂 it really made me think and reflect on my life… #21 is my mindboggeler. I’m a big geek in school but your post made me realize, I’m not a happy one : (