Unlock Your Potential with a Better Question:
Leanne Terrace, MBA
Executive Leadership Coach | AI Strategist & Consultant | Investor | Speaker on AI | AI Powered Executive Search | Birkman Certified | High Performance Leadership Team Training
How Changing the Questions You Ask Can Lead to New Actions, New Results, and a More Fulfilling Life
I’ve seen firsthand how one small shift in the questions we ask ourselves can lead to significant changes in focus, emotions, actions, and ultimately, the results we experience in life and business. It’s a core strategy I use myself and advocate with my clients to help them get unstuck and unlock their full potential.
Tony Robbins famously said, "The quality of your life is a direct reflection of the quality of the questions you are asking yourself." It all starts with one simple step: changing your questions.
Here’s how one new question can lead to a cascade of new possibilities, new results, and ultimately, a whole new life.
1. A NEW QUESTION Creates a NEW FOCUS
What you focus on expands.
?? When we ask ourselves questions like, “Why do I always fail at X?” or “Why does this always happen to me?” our brains go to work to find answers that reinforce these beliefs. We unintentionally condition our mind to seek out more of the same. As Marshall Goldsmith says, "What got you here won’t get you there." If we want to move beyond our current outcomes, we need to focus on new possibilities.
?? I recently worked with a senior executive who was struggling with team engagement. His question had been, “Why can’t my team get motivated?” This focus only led to frustration and blame. After reframing his question to, “How can I inspire my team to perform at their best?” he started looking for ways to connect with their deeper motivations. His renewed focus and energy led to improved communication, and the team’s performance turned around within weeks.
By changing the question, you change your focus, and by changing your focus, you change what you notice and pursue. It naturally shifts your energy and your subconscious seeks alignment with your focus.
2. NEW FOCUS Creates NEW EMOTIONS
Focus influences feelings.
?? When we focus on what’s not working, it’s easy to feel frustrated, anxious, or even defeated. Our emotions follow the negative narrative we tell ourselves. Tony Robbins teaches, “Where focus goes, energy flows.” If our energy flows toward negative outcomes, our emotions will mirror that.
?? I often encourage my clients to ask solution-based questions that evoke curiosity and creativity. One client, a tech leader, was overwhelmed with the constant pressure of deadlines and team conflicts. I guided her to shift her focus from “Why is this so stressful and feel so hard?” to “How can I make this process more efficient and collaborative?” That one shift in focus brought her a new sense of control and excitement, allowing her to implement innovative team strategies and reduce stress.
3. NEW EMOTIONS Create NEW ACTIONS
Emotions drive behavior.
?? When you’re energized and optimistic, it’s easier to take bold action. Positive emotions open up possibilities and push you to take steps you wouldn’t take otherwise. You feel more resilient, you try new strategies, and you take bigger risks—all because your emotional state is one of possibility and excitement.
?? Imagine the difference between taking action when you’re frustrated versus taking action when you’re energized. The quality and intensity of your effort directly impact the results you achieve. As a result, your new emotions push you to act differently—persist longer, experiment more, and engage more fully.
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4. NEW ACTIONS Create NEW RESULTS
New actions bring new outcomes.
?? When you take inspired action—actions born from positive emotions and clear focus—you generate new results. These results may not appear overnight, but they compound over time. Whether it’s landing a new client or job, developing a new skill, or simply feeling more in control of your life, these small wins build momentum.
We all know that success is often driven by doing what you know you should do, even when you don’t feel like doing it. And that drive starts with asking better questions that create the emotional and behavioral fuel you need.
5. NEW RESULTS Create A WHOLE NEW LIFE
Step by step, your life transforms.
?? By continuing to ask better questions, you create a feedback loop: new questions lead to new focus, which leads to new emotions, which leads to new actions, which create new results. The more you practice this, the more your life begins to change in ways you couldn’t have imagined.
?? It all starts with that first new question. Imagine the power of consistently asking yourself, “How can I approach this with ease and joy?” or “What’s the opportunity here that I’m not seeing?” Your mind will shift, and so will your life.
How to Start Asking Better Questions Today:
Conclusion:
Could creating a more joyful, impactful, and peaceful life really be this simple? Yes, it’s about asking the right questions. When you direct your brain toward new possibilities, you unlock a cascade of positive focus, emotions, actions, and results.
Start today by changing the questions you ask—and watch your life change. ??
About Leanne Terrace:
Leanne Terrace is an accomplished executive leadership coach with over two decades of experience guiding leaders to achieve breakthrough results. She has worked with senior executives, tech leaders, and leadership teams across the U.S., Canada, and Northern Africa, helping them navigate complex challenges, implement strategic shifts, and accelerate growth. Known for her practical yet transformative approach, Leanne combines deep expertise in AI-leveraged leadership and team dynamics with an intuitive coaching style that helps leaders unlock their true potential.
If you're ready to ask better questions and create the results you want, Leanne is the coach to help you get there. Reach out to her today or book a free consult and start your journey toward a more fulfilling, empowered life.