Activity of the week: The switch question

We spend a lot of time trying to find the right answer. Let’s do an activity in which we will do the opposite.

Your challenge is: Don't answer. Ask questions.

A. The rule:

1. There are no bad questions here.
2. The goal isn't to prove that you already know something but to find something you want to know.

B. The Instructions:

1. Look at something ordinary around you: a plant, your phone, the sky, your favourite song, even the chair you're sitting on.
2. Now give yourself one minute. Write down as many questions about it as you can. Don't worry about whether they're smart, silly, easy, or impossible.

For example, if your object is your phone, you could ask: Why does my battery drain faster sometimes? How does my phone know where I am? What happens when I turn on Airplane Mode?

C. Now switch the question. From the list of questions, pick one question that you find interesting. Don’t try to answer it immediately; ask: What would I need to know to find the answer? For example: Question: Why does my phone battery drain faster sometimes? Now think:

1. What do I already know? My phone uses energy when I use apps.
2. What don't I know? Which apps use the most energy and why?
3. What could I do next? I could check my battery settings, research how batteries work, or test different apps.

And just like that, you've gone from having a question → finding a knowledge gap → figuring out how to learn.

Your turn: What is one question you've always wondered about? Pick up the question and, just like explained in the example, try it yourself