Making A Difference: "The Three Questions"

What Clients Say

"Coaching was tremendously helpful to me in moving out of a place where I felt stuck professionally, which was also affecting me personally. As a direct result of my work with Hanna, I was able to identify the next steps to take toward a new career direction. A few months of regular phone coaching with Hanna made a big difference in my career and my life. I'm moving forward on a path that feels right." – CR
“Instead of giving me 'the answer', Hanna asks the questions so I can find my own solutions. By coaching with Hanna, I am finally resolving situations that have lingered unresolved for years, as I discover I have the capacity within me to change my current and future outcomes. Coaching with Hanna has changed who I am and who I will become.” – CM
“Hanna asks honest, open questions that requires one to look deep inside to search for truthful answers - to move you past your layers of various identities and help you find your core being so that you can address your own questions in a truthful manner. She invites dialogue that helps one see oneself as a strong and capable individual. She is intuitive, welcoming and non-judgmental – it’s very easy to be open and honest with her.” -SGF

May 27, 2005

"The Three Questions"

When is the best time to do things?

Who is the most important one?

What is the right thing to do?

These powerful questions come from a wonderful children's book, The Three Questions. It's a re-telling of a Tolstoy story of a boy's quest for what is right, illustrated with beautiful watercolor pictures.

While I'd certainly recommend the book to anyone (a great gift for graduates, or any of us pondering a new phase of life) for the simple pleasure of the story and the illustrations, these three questions also help shed light on choices we have on how we want to spend our time and energy.

I don't think I'll ruin the book for you to tell you that the 'answers' that the story offers are:

the best time? -- now

the most important one? -- the one you are with

the right thing to do? -- to do good for the one standing at your side

I love the simplicity and clarity of this story, the questions, and the responses. They remind me of what's available to us in staying present in our lives, the difference seemingly simple acts can make, and the importance of working to do good.

What do you make of these questions, and the 'answers' offered? Where do they take you?

What questions guide you in your journey to make a difference?

Posted by Hanna Cooper, MPH, CPCC, ACC in Getting clear | Permalink

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Comments

Hanna, this has the potential to be a fabulous blog. I'm excited to see where it takes you.

Keep up the great posts, and keep it frequent!

Posted by: Curt Rosengren | June 01, 2005 at 09:13 PM

Curt, thanks for visiting, and for your comments! Your blog and your work is a great inspiration - I look forward to more opportunities to connect!

Posted by: Hanna | June 01, 2005 at 09:49 PM

Hi Hanna,

Thank you for these three questions. I was faced with a difficult situation over the last couple of days and wasn't clear on how to respond. After reading the three questions and the "answers," I realized not only what was important, but what would give me peace. One of the things I value is clarity, so to see my way through to the other side, with these three questions, was like a breath of fresh air.

Posted by: Carol Ross | June 25, 2005 at 06:32 PM

Carol,

Thanks for sharing the impact of these questions for you. Peace, clarity, and a breath of fresh air... aah!

Posted by: Hanna | June 26, 2005 at 11:05 AM

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