People want to Succeed. It is inbred in each one of us. Have you ever known anyone to get out of bed in the morning stating, “Today, I want to fail.”? People want to succeed. No one gets out of bed determined to fail. Since man’s basic nature is to succeed, there are many ways you can help others be more effective and fruitful. One of those is to assist by asking the right, encouraging questions.

Too often the questions we ask one another are more discouraging, and demotivating than uplifting and encouraging. Perhaps unintentional, and more out of a protection for the other person, yet they often serve to stifle one’s motivating forces to move forward. The questions we ask need to be encouraging. The following are the type questions needed to encourage others in effectively moving forward toward goals and achieving fruitfulness in his/her endeavors.

Instead of, “What are you doing?” try using, “I’d like to hear your end goal, or what you are desiring to achieve?”

Instead of, “And how are you going to do that?” Utilize, “What steps are you taking accomplish your desired achievement that might benefit others?”

Instead of, “What makes you think you can succeed?” Ask, “Based on your definition of achievement, what could lead you to achieve even greater success and fruitfulness?”

How can I help you be as effective and fruitful as possible?

While these questions are not all inclusive, they are meant to give you a positive approach to assisting others in reaching for goals and “success” (fruitfulness). How can you improve your line of questioning to assist and encourage others in reaching for the fruitfulness God created them for.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.