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Stuart Woods

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What one question, which you have never been asked, would have the biggest impact on your future?

I am interested in the art and architecture of questioning. I have been intrigued reading the threads of the TED conversations and how people respond and react to questioning. I am curious on how we answer questions but particularly here on our ability to frame them for ourselves. The 'never been asked' part of the question is crucial for this. I believe that deep questions, framed carefully, can unlock great potential. The TED is testament to our ability to do it for each other but can we do it for ourselves? Francis Bacon said 'A prudent question is one half of wisdom'.

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Closing Statement from Stuart Woods

Whatever question it takes to unlock our true potential, If we do our best work, nurture others and reward kindness then our legacy will live for eternity, not in things or places, but in the hearts of individuals who we hope are compelled to pass it on.

I have read everyone's responses with gratitude. Essentially what I noticed from the responses was that people who I have never met generously opened up their inner hopes and dreams whilst remarkably structuring them to allow others to gain from them too, inspirational! Many think that predicting or forecasting the future is impossible and yet over generations our willingness to try has not be diminished in the least. I find this fascinating and believe it is testament to our need for certainty and to hope for the best. I could tell by reading the responses (often in the inference to what would happen if we actually asked ourselves these questions) that we readily ponder our PURPOSE on this earth. I also noted those who chose not to add what their response, but I hope by responding everyone did think of their answer.To search for deeper meaning for our existence is a recurring theme, so too, the altruistic standpoint of first offering to others before ourselves; heartening indeed. Some of the proposed questions referred to 'leaving something behind'- a legacy. When we transcend egotism I surmised from the what we might really mean is the statement I opened with:

Whatever question it takes to unlock our true potential, If we do our best work, nurture others and reward kindness our legacy will live for eternity, not in things or places, but in the hearts of individuals who we hope are compelled to pass it on.

Thanks to everyone I now have a wonderful resource on which to draw when I need re-focusing and re-energizing. I hope you do too. I fully intend to pass your questions on to my students. Best wishes. Stuart

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    Mar 16 2012: How can I help (I mean actually help) you?*this individual is able to devote a portion of time to actually guide an individual through a certain path according to their answer* For the past few years of my life I have tried to be that individual. I hoped that from teaching others I could learn more about them and certain perspectives from the experience of helping others. Eventually, I could know much more about who I am and what path in life I will be pursuing.
  • Mar 16 2012: Have you met the love of your life?
  • Mar 16 2012: what is your next step, if you have to drop all the purposes of your life tomorrow?
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    Mar 16 2012: 9 HOURS TO GO! Any final responses out there please post them today! Many thanks for your incredible contribtions so far. Stuart :-)
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    Mar 16 2012: Thanks Clerk, great question. There is a book called 'Dear Me' compiled by Elton John for his AIDS Foundation on just this subject. Famous people writing to themselves at aged 16. It makes for very uplifting and often moving reading. You can contribute to the on-line blog at mydearmeletter.blogspot.com
  • Mar 16 2012: If you had only 30 seconds to send an audio message to your younger 18 year old self, what would you say?

    If you had only 100 words to write a letter to your younger 18 year old self, what would you write?
  • Mar 15 2012: Are you ready? Cuz it already started =)
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    Mar 14 2012: Dear Stuart, very interesting subject.
    " if you could size the love inside you, would you be able to give it all?
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    Mar 14 2012: Thanks again to everyone for your inspiring thoughts. The notion of purpose, destiny and legacy has come up time and time again. Really interesting.

    My question expires soon so any last responses would be gratefully recieved. :-)
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    Mar 13 2012: After my Matric, to be asked: What do you really want to do? ( instead of being forced).
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    Mar 13 2012: How do you want to be remembered?

    This question can cause you to think about the way in which you lead your life and make you re-evaluate everything!
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    Mar 13 2012: who are you ? or whats your purpose ?

    Just think about it !!! you can be a Artist, Scientist, philosopher a business man !!!
    ... we think we know who we are but the real truth is ... we are what we think we are, we are what we believe we are and what others believe we are .... we are what we project ourselves to be in the future ... this reality what you and i experience right now is not you... but the path to perfection of being you... what you truly will be !!! we always tend towards what we think we are !!! what we think we can be !!!

    this question made the biggest difference in my life !!! and i still ask this to myself... !!!

    Know thyself - Socrates !

    Cheers !!!
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    Mar 13 2012: ...


    What is your dream and how can I help?
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    Mar 12 2012: In answer to this question:
    If you could do anything in the world what would it be?

    If we use our perceived limitations we most likely will not go far. if we ask :" Of all the possibilities in the world which would you love to do? Which would make you happy?" Then you have opened up infinite possibilities which can only be limited by our thinking.
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    Mar 12 2012: yes Manue, there are a multitude of practical ways to make a difference. From my experience the practical ways that seem to be most effective with the most positive results come from giving of ourselves in time. An example could be "Habitat for Humanity". Or to hire a person to help you out instead of a giving them a "handout" . This invariably contributes to their sense of self-worth by not showing them off with a bill or 2.
    Not that donations do not have their place, they do and unless you are poor too, easy to do.
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    Mar 12 2012: What can you do in your community?
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    Mar 12 2012: why people Love the Hate most??????????
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    Mar 12 2012: Did you really need to buy that.
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    Mar 12 2012: Thanks for everyone's comments and questions so far......... Lisi, I believe that we begin to affect positive change on the world by starting with ourselves. I find your comment about ego very interesting, I hadn't thought of legacy in that way before.
  • Mar 11 2012: There are many technical solutions and ideas that can make an impact for the better.

    Ego aside, I think people can change the world in various good ways.... millions of children are starving, diseases that need curing, we may face water shortages, etc.
  • Mar 11 2012: The world can be changed for the better through technical solutions and ideas not yet invented that can help many, many people.

    Ego aside, I think people can change the world in various good ways.... millions of children are starving, diseases that need curing, we may face water shortages, etc.
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    Mar 11 2012: If you could do anything in the world , no limitations; what would that be? Then follow your heart!
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    Mar 11 2012: The real success is not achieving what the world challenges you to achieve, but indeed what YOUR HEART challenges yourself to achieve. WHAT DOES YOUR HEART CHALLENGE YOU TO ACHIEVE?
  • Mar 11 2012: Here are a few questions I struggle with now...

    "How can I change the world, to make it a better place for XXX number of people?" XXX is yet TBD.

    "What kind of legacy will you leave? What can you do to be remembered (in a good way)?"
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      Mar 11 2012: you cannot change the world, only yourself, your attitudes towards the world and by smiling, accepting others as they are, compassion and love you will make an enormous difference in the world.
      Only the Ego feels a need to be remembered.
      • Mar 12 2012: I like your attitude!
        I think that you are right in a way. Now, I do think that you can also make a difference in more practical ways like Dave said.
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      Mar 12 2012: Hi Dave, thanks for the response. I guess that the XXX element could start with 1,yes?
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    Mar 10 2012: This one stumped me so I have to give credit to my wife: In freshman year of college, "what do you want to do?" not what do you want to major in...
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    Mar 10 2012: What will your legacy be?
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    Mar 9 2012: Would you like a promotion? Seemingly selfish and wish-fulfilling, it is a question which is rarely asked these days. In an effort for equality, all jobs are advertised internally and externally, everyone with an "equal" chance. People's performances in the workplace no longer count...people's knowledge of you either...it's what's on your CV that counts. Introverts rarely go for promotion...they hate the trumpet-blowing, self-selling procedure which is a job interview. It is only the ambitious, power-hungry and extroverted who go for promotion. The world is full of quiet, unassuming individuals with enormous potential who are never appreciated. All of the credit goes to the loudest.

    Asking this question shows somebody that they have worth and are appreciated. It should be asked more.
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    Mar 8 2012: If you alone were in charge of shaping humanity, what would it look like?