When it comes to purchasing books I’ve got a strange habit.

When I hear about a book I want to read it gets added straight to my Amazon list.

I then order 9 or 10 books at a time and once I’m done reading those I’ll order the next ten on my list.

Currently, and after finishing Neil Gaiman’s epic, graphic and weirdly brilliant American Gods, I’m now reading one of Daniel H Pink’s books.

Daniel writes and talks about the changing workplace, motivation and how insights from the social sciences can make us more effective.

In the book I’m reading at the moment (called ‘to sell is human’) he talks about how the changing face of business is meaning more of us are ‘in sales’, why authenticity, buoyancy and clarity are fundamentally important as well as how the internet has revolutionised how business is conducted (moving from a ‘buyer beware’ to a ‘seller beware’ culture).

However whilst there are many interesting insights in the book which make it worth reading there was one which stood out as particularly insightful and therefore worth sharing….

Using statements are compelling.

Be it with children (“I want to go and tidy you’re room!” or “Have you done you’re homework”) or when considering you’re own financial future (“I’m going to be Ok” or “I know I haven’t got enough to retire on”).

However whilst statements are compelling the research tells us that asking ourselves certain questions has far more power to engage us to take action…

Now, whilst I’m going to be asking Charlotte some questions about her Homework and messy room I want to ask you something completely different.

So, let me ask you this….

“On a scale of 1 to 10, How prepared are you for the time in your life when you decide to cut down on the amount of work you do?”

Think about this for a little while….and once you’ve answered that. Think about this:-

“Why didn’t you pick a lower number?”

This question’s an interesting one. The answer is designed to help you clearly articulate what you’ve already done towards helping you prepare and might help clarify why you need to do more (the motivations behind saving long term).

“The why question” is also designed to avoid the defensive attitude we all take when it comes to money but to recognise that we can, and on many occasions already have, made plans to achieve our longer term financial goals.

I’ve found that asking myself these questions raises more internal questions which provide more insight into the action I can take to improve “my score” in a range of areas of my life (including financial).

So, let me ask you one final question…

“What can you ask yourself today which will help provide greater clarity, more focus and ensure you take action to put your financial plan on track today?”