What If You Asked “What If?”
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know my favorite question is “Why?”—it’s how I get to the root of any problem.
But a very close second?
“What if?”
If “why?” gets us to the truth, then “what if?” opens the door to possibility.
And possibility—when combined with action—is how people and businesses leap forward.
“What If?” Unlocks Possibility
“What if?” is a powerful tool for:
- Creativity
- Strategy
- Problem-solving
- Innovation
- Planning for the future
- Breaking out of stuck thinking
It’s used in design thinking, strategic planning, scenario development, and personal reinvention.
But it’s also simple enough to use in everyday life.
“What if I stopped doing what doesn’t work?”
“What if we doubled down on what does?”
“What if the obstacle is the opportunity?”
“What if?” isn’t about fluff. It’s about opening new doors.
My Personal Take
I’ve used “what if?” to:
- Rethink roles I was stuck in
- Start businesses that didn’t exist before
- Coach people who were boxed in by fear or routine
- Invent new ways of working, thinking, and solving problems
It’s one of the fastest ways I know to break out of false binaries.
We’re often told it’s either this or that. But “what if?” shows us a third door.
Sometimes a fourth.
Strategic, Not Silly
Let me be clear: “what if?” isn’t fantasy.
It’s strategic imagination.
It says:
- Let’s suspend judgment.
- Let’s consider the edge of possibility.
- Let’s reverse-engineer what would need to happen.
In business? This is how pivots happen.
In life? This is how people reinvent themselves.
How to Use It
Here are three practical ways to start using “what if?”:
1. During brainstorming or decision-making
Ask:
- What if we stopped doing this?
- What if we started charging more?
- What if we let go of what’s not working?
Let yourself explore. Don’t filter too early.
2. To reframe fear
Most people say:
- What if I fail?
- What if people laugh?
- What if I lose money?
Flip it:
- What if it works?
- What if it’s worth it?
- What if this changes everything?
That simple reframe can change your mindset instantly.
3. For scenario planning
Ask:
- What if a competitor enters the market?
- What if we lose a key employee?
- What if demand doubles overnight?
Use “what if?” to stress-test your plans and prepare for multiple futures.
Business Example
Problem: Business growth has plateaued.
Ask:
- What if we focused only on our most profitable offer?
- What if we served a different customer segment?
- What if we partnered with someone stronger where we’re weak?
These are not fantasy questions. These are entry points into strategic change.
Personal Example
Problem: Feeling stuck in a draining job.
Ask:
- What if I don’t need to leave right away?
- What if I start building something part-time?
- What if I downsize temporarily to buy time?
- What if I treat this as a launchpad instead of a prison?
Now you’re not stuck. You’ve got options. Options = power.
Avoiding the Trap
Be careful: “what if?” can go dark fast.
- What if I fail?
- What if I look stupid?
- What if it’s too late?
We all go there sometimes. But you need to counter it with optimism:
- What if you succeed?
- What if you’re exactly on time?
- What if this is your moment?
Balance realism with possibility. That’s where smart risk lives.
Use It with Teams
Instead of shutting ideas down, try this:
“What if that actually worked? What would need to be true?”
It shifts the energy from skepticism to problem-solving. That’s how you build better teams and better ideas.
Final Thought
“What if?” is how every bold move starts.
What if you asked it more often?
What if you used it this week?
What if the future you want isn’t waiting—but ready to be built?
Try This Today
- Write down 5 “what if?” questions about your business, life, or goals.
- Pick one—and map out what would need to be true for it to happen.
- Flip one fear-based “what if?” into an opportunity-based one.
And remember—asking “what if?” doesn’t commit you to anything.
But it does open the door.
You can’t walk through it if you never knock.
So…
What if you asked the right question today?
Want to readthe full article? Find it here.
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