Do not be afraid to ask dumb questions. They are easier to handle than dumb mistakes.-Unknown
Speaking up with the tough questions
Many people ask the wrong questions, which can hinder their work. That’s why it is so important to ask the right questions–to get the right answers! Everyone fears looking stupid in front of other people. No one wants to ask a silly question and get laughed at. But not asking a question that needs an answer can have consequences that might be just as embarrassing or detrimental. If you’re thinking about it, chances are that someone else is curious too. Your own fears can paralyze you, but deep down if the shoe were on the other foot, you probably wouldn’t make fun of someone else for asking questions. Don’t take the hard way and suffer through mistakes, speak up and clear up any confusion!
Sparkpeople-Healthy reflection-SPARKPEOPLE
I really like this reflection. I think many of us, do not speak up out of fear. I can raise my hand high. I have gotten better as I’ve gotten older. But still……I wonder, what are we so afraid of?
It reminds me of a gym story. A lot of people think when they go to the gym, people are watching them. Truth is, most people, are working out and thinking only about their workout and no one else. After I heard that, my gym experience changed and I realized, you know, they are right. Why did I think all eyes were watching me. What is my fear? Aren’t we all there to do the same thing? There is no reason to feel dumb. The heaviest weight at the gym? The door.
I’ve also been known to ask a few dumb questions in my time. I don’t regret them. Guess what? I learned something out of those dumb questions. I am all about learning, whenever I can. *I probably asked the dumb ones more than once meh*
Most likely, it has helped me do my job better. Live my life better. Make better decisions.
If I hadn’t asked a question to Jason, one day, I might not have ever met him. I am so glad I spoke up.
So clear out all the misgivings and fear, Do you have a question? Just ask!
Happy Sunday! May your day be especially blessed.
Living, Loving, Laughing.... 
I too had trouble asking questions because people do snigger and as I was busy with making impressions that I thought were the right ones, I forgot to impress myself.
Now I do care less what people are thinking about me and there is so much freedom in that.
And now I am creating good impressions because people like that I dare to aks questions. And guess what, I no longer care about those positive impressions either.
Oh the freedom when ego is getting smaller and smaller.
Now of course I want to know what qustion you asked Jason 🙂
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Ah Wilma, beautiful lady, that answer is coming real soon 😉
I love your life attitude and how it reflects outward. Self-consciousness can be such a determent to our freedom to learn, to dance, to play.
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Sorry it’s taken me so long to get over here and comment. As I look through my reader, it appears as if I have some commenting to do here!
Anyway, I do find that as I’m getting older and more mature, I’m less intimidated to ask questions. I used to sweat just at the mere thought of having to stand out in a crowd, but now I hardly flinch at it. Yeah, sometimes I ask dumb questions or my question shows that I really didn’t understand something. But hey, at least I’ve cleared it up for myself.
Good reflection. I like that one!
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Hi Carolyn! Thank you for your sweet comment. Asking allows us a different perspective to be heard, opens up doors, hearts, and minds. It feels good to speak up. Like you said, clears things up. Maybe, even opens up discussions (never a bad thing). It’s nice to see you’ve overcome your standing out.
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Hi Angelia,
Oh…I’m raising my hand high with you, too! Fear can be such an inhibitor. And yet, why not ask. Usually, if one person has a question – there’s someone else with that same question. I’ve gotten better, too, as I’ve grown older (maybe the older we get, we finally start to realize it’s better to look dumb and get the right answer than to look dumb and never get the answer)…. Anyway, a great reminder for me…someone who can sometimes have a hard time stepping out of that box, and asking those questions…
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Hi happy Lance! I am glad you step out of that box now (age rocks). I guess no one likes to look “dumb”, but I can’t help but think-if everyone NEVER asked-what would the world be like? Would we ever have any alternate opinions? Would anything be “new and improved”? Makes you think! And whoops, I just asked a few questions. LOL.
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I appreciate the ring of truth presented here. My analysis is that the hardest questions to answer are the silly ones. Most of our life we focus on things that does not challenge our understanding and avoid things that pose as a threat. 🙂
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Hi Walter!
I agree, those are the hardest, who wants to sound silly and people look at them funny? But we really could be missing out. What’s the worst that could happen right? New knowledge, maybe braver the next time a question comes up. Thank you for your comment, very insightful.
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Good reminder! Love this.
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Thank ye! Thank ye!
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I used to hate asking the questions. I hated raising my hand. I hated interupting. And even worse, I hated trying to figure it out on my own but asking, I thought, made me look stupid.
Now I don’t mind looking stupid. In fact, I’ll even say in meetings, “I just have to ask the stupid question here…”
I don’t know what I don’t know and if asking helps me know a little more, then I’m doing ok.
Ask and you shall receive!!
xxoo
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I always feel like I’m the only one asking questions. Hey, am I the only dumb one here??? *lol*
Thank you Peggy, glad I’m not the ony stupid one. 🙂
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I love asking questions. How do things work? Who are you? Why? All of them. Gaining more knowledge hasn’t disappointed me yet, even when I don’t like the answer. It is a wonderful quest!
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Jaymie, sometimes the answer you don’t like, spurs many reasons to understand that, and how to make it better to like. Brainstorming at it’s best! Very good stuff.
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My desire to know has always been greater than my fear of looking dumb. I’ve always been the first to raise my hand and say What? Where? When? How? Maybe that’s why I’m the Bold One!
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Oh Tess! I don’t doubt that for a minute. It’s because of BOLD folks like you, that the shy ones learn something. 🙂
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