Guided by critical thinking

Questioning, guided by curiosity and critical thinking, is one of the most underrated life skills. In Flight Plan for Success: Navigating Life: 26 Skills from A to Z, I discuss making intentional choices rather than drifting through life. Questioning is one way to help you avoid drifting through life. Being curious and asking questions can protect you from confusion, manipulation, and regret, especially when the source seems confident or claims to be an authority. Beware of anyone who discourages your questions or rushes you into making decisions. That could be a signal that they do not want you to see the whole picture.

Curiosity is a skill that helps you learn, grow, and avoid costly mistakes. I would have liked to have asked an aviation mentor more questions about the expectations of flight training for someone changing careers in their forties. Unfortunately, we often do not know what questions to ask.

Apply critical thinking and common sense to what you hear, see, and read, whether it is coming from a boss, a friend, social media, or the so-called expert selling you the next big thing. As President Ronald Reagan said, “Trust, but verify.”

In a personal setting, people often want you to ask questions because it shows you care. When someone does open up to you regarding your questions, do not just hear their answers; truly listen to what they have to say. You asked the question; learn from it. The right questions deepen relationships, reveal needs, and can build trust. In professional life, asking thoughtful questions leads to better teamwork, clearer expectations, and fewer expensive do-overs. Do not think asking questions is a sign of defiance.

Questioning is not about arguing with everything you are told. It is about asking better questions, challenging assumptions, and refusing to accept things at face value when something does not feel right. When you practice questioning others and listening, you gain a clearer sense of who you are associating with. Questioning yourself will give you better direction so you can live a life with zero regrets.

Want more insights on navigating life skills? Grab Flight Plan for Success.