Better Questions, Better Results

Why Do People Assign Value to the Process? The journey is where identity, meaning, and mastery are forged.   Framing the Question Why do people assign value to the process—even when the end result is all that others may see? From software engineering to gourmet cooking, it’s not just about what gets made, but how it’s made. The keyword here is  “value the process” , and understanding that value reveals how we grow, persist, and find meaning. This post explores both the  beauty  and the  limits  of process—and how it can either elevate or obscure our purpose. From Assembly Lines to Masterpieces Imagine two cups of coffee. One from a vending machine—quick, convenient, impersonal. The other from a barista who grinds beans, steams milk, and perfects the pour. They may cost the same, but one carries  story, skill, and intention . That’s what the process adds—depth. We value the process because it’s where we demonstrate care, craftsmanship, and commitment. I...

When Does It Make Sense to Break the Rules? Why Strategic Rule-Breaking Is a Sign of Mastery, Not Rebellion   Framing the Question The surgeon who operates outside protocol to save a patient’s life. The software engineer who bypasses security guidelines to prevent a catastrophic system failure. The teacher who ignores standardized curriculum to reach a struggling student. These aren’t acts of rebellion—they’re calculated decisions where breaking the rules serves a higher purpose. But for every justified rule-break, there are countless others that backfire spectacularly. The difference lies not in courage or creativity, but in judgment. Understanding when to break rules requires confronting uncomfortable questions about consequences, ethics, and our own blind spots. The Paradox of Mastery: Learn the Rules First Before you break a rule, you need to deeply understand it. The most effective rule-breakers aren’t anarchists—they’re experts who recognize when their hard-won knowledge conf...

How can you deconstruct complex skills? April 3, 2025 | Education, Habit, Life Long Learning, Measure, Practice, Question a Day, Resilience, Strategy Question a Day How to Deconstruct Complex Skills for Faster Learning and  Mastery Mastering a complex skill can feel like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without instructions—overwhelming, confusing, and potentially ending in a meltdown. But fear not! By breaking down (or deconstructing) complex skills into manageable pieces, you can learn faster, build confidence, and eventually master the whole skill with finesse. This blog will walk you through the steps to deconstruct complex skills, providing actionable tips and insights to guide you on your learning journey. What Does It Mean to Deconstruct a Skill? Deconstructing a skill means breaking it into smaller, more manageable components. Instead of focusing on the entire skill all at once, you analyze it to identify its key parts and focus on mastering each one separately. This strat...