Q is for Questions

I can't believe we're on Q already. As you can see, I'm hanging in there with this annual A-to-Z Blogging Challenge. And believe me, it hasn't been easy! For more information on the challenge and its creator visit:   http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com.

I've covered this in all my posts I think, but Q can be for nothing other than Questions. No matter whether you're renovating a house, interviewing for a job or determining where you're going on vacation, it's imperative that we ask the right questions. I believe communication has diminished considerably. Why are people so lackadaisical about asking questions these days? Do they feel they're prying? Maybe they feel all the right answers will be forthcoming. Not so. If you don't ask ALL the right questions, you will not get all the right answers. What do I mean by right answers? The answers that matter to you--those that directly affect you.

Example: I know a lady who's dad was in the hospital. She noticed he didn't get a particular medication that he'd been getting days before. If she had assumed the doctors had changed his meds, hadn't bothered to ask WHY, then she wouldn't have learned that it was an oversight on the part of the staff.

Another example might be: you're signing with an agent. You're thrilled that one is taking you on but you haven't asked many questions. If you don't ask if there are hidden fees, charges or up-front costs, then you'll probably be surprised a little later down the line. 

When it comes to asking questions, don't worry about stepping on toes or sounding like you're hard to get along with. We can't expect our doctors, lawyers, contractors, dentists, agents, publishers, editors, nursing home staff, wedding photographers, caterers (and the list goes on and on) to actually remember to tell us all we need to know. ASK QUESTIONS! If you don't know what to ask, get some advice from Facebook friends or Google "What to ask a contractor?" Knowledge is power. Don't be caught off guard.