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
Coach Tony says
These are awesome questions! I think I am going to add a few, and send it to my Coaching clients to have them explore on their own, and then pick a few that they don’t like the answer to and then work on those areas.
Anon says
’34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?’
Can I add ‘could of ‘ to this…….?
Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you could of just had the best conversation ever?
Yes.
Larry says
Yes! My wife and I meet by a direct act of God 44 years ago. We saw each other across a gymnasium floor being used for my office Christmas party. We talked and danced the whole evening, and we’ve been together since.
Nika says
Really awesome questions. They actually surprised me. I didn’t expect that. Thank you for making me think, but most of all for reminding me of my happy memories.
Tye says
“When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?” That’s mind blowing… Thank you for making me pause and reflect! Some of these questions can be life-changing.
Merri says
I stumbled upon this while searching for “brain fuel” in my English class. These questions stop and make you think, which is what I liked best about them. They are simple questions that I would normally overlook. But today was a great day to find your post. On those days where all you want to do is sleep and forget the world, it is important to ask questions such as these. They make you feel better and motivate you to be your best. Thank you for fueling my brain.
deepti says
Nice questions… increased thinking level.
Vikas Deshpande says
These questions really made me think!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
andre says
great questions.
hardest for me were :
15, 44, 46,
the ones that really made me think more were:
29, 49
Tom Siddle says
Hi I am from Australia and I would just like to say you guys are a real inspiration . When I get up for work I use to eat my cereal and look at the internet before going to work always looking at the latest news from around the world. But now I read articles you have written and it has made a big difference to me . There is too many bad things going on in the world so it is not good to fill your head with it at the start of each day. Your articles create positivity and joy. Thank you
Nick says
I’ve had a lot of questions on my mind lately, and didn’t really know what to do with them. So many big decisions have to be made in my life right now, and the support of my best friend would come very helpful. After reading all these question, and came across #41, I busted out in tears. can’t remember the last time i let my emotions go like that, but it was more the thought of: “would i mean as much to him as he does to me?” planning on asking him this question in the nearby future, just need to know if this friendship is still worth fighting for after all that has been done.
Thanks so much for this list, it really really helped me get a better vision on everything!
Greetings from Holland.
Caroline Callow says
#28 asks if your worst fear has come true. Just a thought on that. If the answer to that is yes for you, why are you still afraid of it?
Kesseley says
I just came across this site while doing my LIB 214 assignment. I think this site is a light in the dark. And I can not leave without saying thanks. Thank you again. Thank you so very much.
Kia says
This really made me think! I need this for my self reflection time! Thank you!
YeyDaily says
Which is worse, failing or never trying?
This is the question I always ask myself every time I see myself almost failing. Very helpful indeed.
Lary says
There were few questions that I could not really answer as direct as I have been trying. But all of the questions were good stuff to ponder every day. Question numbers 26, 27, and 38 touched my very bones. Thank you MARC, take good care of your hands.
ANKIT Dixit says
In process of reading.. I asked all these questions to myself.. And I was amazed to hear answers.. 😀
Victoria says
Wow. This made realize that I really do need to stop worrying about others and just do what I want.
Amber wood says
I receive almost daily emails from you and everyone of them inspires me. I have shared your wisdom words with my dear friends and each time they ask me ” where did you find that quote” or often ” wow I needed that right now” . I thank you both so very much as do my friends. X
Kari says
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about living life by design and not default. It’s really true about that last one – if you are not making the decisions for yourself in life, then someone else is. Obviously making your own decisions is going to lead to more happiness and fulfillment!
Jala Goddessa says
I love lists that promote people to talk about ideas, and not about each other.
Tucker says
I really enjoyed this post! I recently posted something similar on my blog as I felt the same need to pause and ask some soul searching questions. It has changed my life
Helen Conrad says
Amazing. I looked at myself and learned so much. I shared this site with all my friends and they love it. Thank you.
Mel says
Your site is food for the soul, all day everyday…
Blessings, Light and Love to You!
Tracey Mathis Jr. says
#49 is big! If you won’t remember what you did today 5 years from now then you may have a problem. Excluding days of relaxation, try to better yourself everyday! At the end of the day, write down the date and a summary of what you have done that truly adds value to your life. Wake up better than the day before!