As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.— Proverbs 27:17 NIV
This scripture is a statement calling each to understand that no one is alone. To improve yourself, there is a mutual benefit to making others better through mentorship, fellowship/follow-ship, and leading. Together we all get better; alone, we will never know how far we could go. To learn more about the scripture, if you have more questions, I have found a fantastic website to continue asking more.
Many times I have shared the importance of questions. In all aspects of life, we should ask questions. Questions are an essential part of learning; however, the right questions are the key!
Dr. Marilee Adams is the author of several books, and I had the privilege of meeting her in a virtual room while attending a conference with Barrett-Koehler Publishers. Her focus is questions! The Art of the Question is her first book and features the best quote; “with our questions, we make the world.” Her new book is the 4th Edition of Change Your Questions, Change Your Life. I highly recommend all of her books!
The release of Change Your Questions, Change Your Life also has a workbook to provide additional support for self-coaching. The focus of Question Thinking is explained to readers and is an approach with tools to not only help professionals in careers but in their personal lives. You will have the opportunity to meet Ben, the fictional character in the book, but at times you may find yourself replacing his name with yours.
Sharpen
In our life journey, we receive many messages from others on ways to improve, set goals, and just about any other advice you can think of as you reflect. I did some reflecting as well and thought about all of the things I have been told. What are the key factors to take away?
- Stephen Covey- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- The 7th Habit is Sharpen your Saw- Sharpen the Saw means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have—you. It means having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual. As you renew yourself in each of the four areas, you create growth and change in your life. “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax”-Abraham Lincoln. This quote refers to the physical part of the balance. If you prepare before doing the work by having the right tools, the work will be done in a timely fashion. Having a plan will help you meet this habit.
- Question Thinking
- Utilize the tools provided by Dr. Adams to change the questions we use to think, and we will find changes in our situations, interactions with people, ourselves, and relationships. The “negative talk” we may have will not occur, and relationships will improve. Changing questions changes our lives and our trajectory.
- Collaboration
- The scripture reminds us of the fact we were never to be alone. Many times we are reminded of this throughout when two or more come together actions happen. It is the support, lifting, helping, and working to sharpen tools together when great things are achieved.
Be the solution daily in a world that needs you to sharpen them up.