To start making dramatic changes in your life, transform the way you use questions that begin with "why." IBM Founder Thomas Watson, Sr. is quoted as saying "the ability to ask the right question is more than half the battle of finding the answer." "Why" questions are uniquely powerful in that they already contain an answer themselves.

Implicit in every "why" question is a statement of fact. For example, consider the question "why is the sky blue?" You agree the sky is blue. You're merely seeking the explanation of what makes it so. As much as you try, you'll never change the color of the sky. Hidden in each "why" question is an affirmative statement.

If not used effectively, "why" questions keep you stuck. I used to have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. I'd ask myself "why do I stay in bed when it's time to get up?" Each time I asked, I always returned to the *fact* that I didn't get out of bed when it was time. My "why" question affirmed that I stayed in bed when it was time to get up, and it kept me stuck in that pattern.

Begin looking at the "why" questions you ask yourself. If you're chronically late for appointments, maybe you ask: "why am I always late?"

If you experience financial lack, maybe you ask: "why am I always broke?"

If you seem to lack enough time, perhaps you ask: "why is there never enough time in my day?"

If you don't feel so confident, maybe you ask: "why am I such a loser?"

Wherever you experience undesired results, look at the "why" questions you may be asking yourself in that area.

Transform your "why" questions into "how can I" questions. Instead of asking "why am I always late?" Try "how can I be on time for all my appointments?"

Instead of asking "why am I always broke?" Try "how can I earn/save/have more money?"

Instead of asking "why do I oversleep?" Try "how can I get out of bed on time each day?"

Instead of asking "why am I not getting visitors to my website?" Try "how can I get more visitors to my website?"

Begin using afformations. Notice I did not say affirmations. An afformation, according to author Noah St. John, is "an empowering question to which the human brain must try to find an answer." In his excellent book "Learn How and Why to Give Yourself Permission to Succeed," Noah devotes several pages to afformations. Pick up a copy of the book or visit his website at .