Ask Questions That Empower, Not Entrap You
There are certain questions your brain loves to ask when you’re stressed, overwhelmed or doubting yourself.
Questions like:
“Why can’t I do better?”
“Why aren’t I good enough?”
They feel urgent and important. They feel like they should lead you somewhere useful.
But they don’t.
These questions don’t empower you, they keep you emotionally stuck instead.
Disempowering Questions
These kinds of questions are natural and normal but will never lead you to an empowering solution.
That’s because the question itself is based upon a disempowering thought.
When your brain asks “Why can’t I do better?” it’s based on the disempowering thought that you should be ‘doing better’.
When your brain asks “Why aren’t I good enough?” it’s based on the disempowering thought that you aren’t yet ‘good enough’.
These types of questions keep you stuck in disempowering rumination, worry and self‑criticism.
Let’s Intervene to Empower
Instead of letting your brain run wild with disempowering questions, we can teach it to instead ask questions that empower you.
Questions that open possibilities.
Questions that generate safety.
Questions that move you forward.
These are empowering questions.
Two Parts to Empowering Questions…
Empowering questions have two key ingredients:
1. They assume something neutral or positive about you.
2. They lead your brain towards empowering solutions.
Here are examples of empowering questions:
“How do I want to think about this situation?”
“What evidence do I have that I’m capable?”
“How can I make this easier for myself?”
Notice how each one gently guides your brain into problem‑solving, self‑support or emotional reassurance.
Your brain wants to answer questions so let’s give it questions that empower you.
Let’s Practice Together
Each week, we’re building your emotional empowerment step‑by‑step.
No pressure. No perfection. Just small steps that change the way in which your brain supports you emotionally.
Awareness is always the first step to any change. So, this week:
Notice a disempowering question your brain asks. Gently replace it with an empowering one.
Instead of: “Why can’t I ever get this right?”
Try: “What’s one small thing I can try next?”
Instead of: “Why does everyone judge me?”
Try: “How can I support myself when I feel judged?”
These small steps really matter. They allow your brain to notice its current behaviour and engage with gentle change.
Always remember, it’s the application and practice that makes emotional empowerment your everyday.
Let’s Build a Brain That Empowers You
Let’s move away from disempowering questions often rooted in self-criticism.
Through consistent, compassionate steps, we can enable your brain to work for you, not against you.