Four Questions (4Q)

What went well?

List all the things that went well in your project, presentation, relationship, life or whatever else you wish to evaluate. In our culture there is a strong tendency to only look at what went wrong.

This question asks us to celebrate the things that did go well, in spite of any setbacks.

What would I do differently?

We cannot change the past, we can only change the stories we tell about it. This question asks us to explore alternatives: alternative responses, alternative solutions, alternative perspectives and alternative stories.

Sometimes you win. Sometimes you learn. — John C. Maxwell

This question also points to this: what lessons did we learn from our so-called failures? How can we turn our failures into valuable lessons for ourselves and others? Are they then still failures?

What is my vision?

Is this good enough for now? Is my curiosity satisfied, or do I want to pick this up again at some (yet to be determined) later date?

How do I want to apply what I learned? Can I maybe apply this in other areas, in other projects?

Do I maybe want to repeat the same project with a different strategy to see how this changes the outcome? In broad strokes: what will I change in the execution?

What is my next step?

Lofty visions are worthless without action. This question asks us to consider a concrete first step to get going. As the saying goes: "A good beginning is half the battle" or:

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. — Lao Tzu