Transcription
You know, I always told my children and grandchildren: "If you want to live longer, listen to doctors. If you want to live richer, listen to businessmen. And if you want to live smarter, listen to old people. Because an old person is not just a person with wrinkles. They are a library written by life itself." And here is one story. When I was about 25, I was hot-headed, ambitious, and, as they say in our parts, I thought I knew everything. I argued with everyone, proved my point, even if I wasn't completely sure of it. And one day my grandfather looked at me very intently and said: "You are smart, but foolish. Smart, because you know how to speak beautifully. Foolish, because you don't know when to shut up and think." Of course, I was offended then. And he laughed and added: "Do you want to be 60% smarter than everyone around? Teach your brain to ask the right questions. A question makes you smarter than a thousand ready-made answers." Back then, I didn't understand the difference between a question and an answer. Intelligence is knowledge, right? But over the years, I began to understand what my grandfather meant. And tell me, have you ever noticed that some people live life as if by instruction: school, work, family, retirement? And others discover new opportunities for themselves? They come up with unusual solutions, find ways out where others throw up their hands. What's the difference? The difference is not in money, not in connections, not in talent. The difference is in the ability to think. And now for the most interesting part. There is one very simple trick. So simple that you will probably even smile now. But it is precisely this that can change your life if you apply it for at least a week in a row. I've seen this method change my friends, my students, even random acquaintances to whom I once told it. After 7 days, they themselves came up and said: "Listen, I feel like I've become smarter. I've started to understand things that used to slip away. I've started making decisions faster, what kind of magic is this?" And it is precisely about this trick that we will talk about today. But before I reveal it, let me ask you one question. Why are you watching this video now? No, no, not just because the title says: "You will become 60% smarter." But deeper, what truly brought you here? The desire to change your life, to feel stronger, or perhaps you are afraid of falling behind others? You've thought about it. This is exactly the beginning. Real growth begins not with a ready-made answer, but with an unexpected question. And one more story. I remember once I was in Tel Aviv at a meeting with a very respected Rabbi. We were sitting, talking, and I asked him: "Rabbi, how can I become smarter? How can I understand people and life more deeply?" He looked at me, paused, and said: "Don't look for advice, look for questions." And again, I didn't understand anything. But time passed, and I noticed that people who seek advice always remain dependent on others, while people who seek questions begin to find their own answers, and it is they who become true sages. So, friends, today I will share this trick with you. It is as simple as a glass of water, but at the same time, it holds all the power of Jewish wisdom. This is not theory from books, not psychology from the internet. This is a practice tested by generations. My grandfather received it from his grandfather. I received it from him, and today I want to give it to you. But I warn you right away, if you watch until the end, you won't be able to rewind and live the same way as before, because your brain will start working differently. You will start noticing things that used to slip away. You will develop a habit that will accompany you throughout your life. And most importantly, you can apply it everywhere: at work, in family, in studies, even in the simplest everyday situations. And people will start to wonder, why has he become so smart? Why does everything work out for him? And you will know the secret. So stay with me, because in a couple of minutes I will reveal this trick to you. And if you follow my advice for at least a week, you yourself will be surprised how much your life will change. And what is the funniest thing? People often think that to become smarter, you need to read hundreds of books, learn encyclopedias, cram quotes from great philosophers. And then they wonder: "Why is my head full of facts, but nothing changes in my life?" Because intelligence is not a warehouse where you store other people's thoughts. Intelligence is a tool that must work every day. And this is exactly where the trick I talked about at the beginning comes into play. This trick is: ask questions always, everywhere, and on any occasion. It sounds banal. But now let's delve deeper. Paragraph. Why are questions more important than answers? My grandfather used to say: "An answer closes a door, a question opens a gate." When we get a ready-made answer, that's it, we calm down, we don't think anymore. But when we ask a question, a process starts in our head. The brain begins to search, compare, connect different pieces of knowledge. And the more questions, the stronger the brain works. Try to live for a week with a simple habit. Every day, ask yourself at least three questions. For example, why did I feel this way today? What could I have done differently? What did this situation teach me? After a few days, you will notice that you are starting to see deeper. You will stop living on autopilot and start noticing details. Paragraph. Personal experience. When I was younger, I worked in my uncle's small shop. The work was simple: sell, count money, smile at customers. And one day I noticed that my uncle always had higher sales than me. Although we worked in the same store and with the same people. I was offended, why is that? Maybe he's cheating? And then I asked myself a question: what does he do that I don't do? I started observing. It turned out that my uncle always asked customers questions: "And what do you need this fabric for? For a holiday, for home, for a gift." And while the person answers, my uncle already understands their needs and offers the best. I realized, the secret is not in the product, the secret is in the ability to ask questions. Since then, I have started applying this rule everywhere. And you know what? It always works: in business, in relationships, in studies, even when you haggle at the market for tomatoes. Third. The technique of the second and third answer. There is another Jewish habit: never be satisfied with the first answer. If you ask a question and an answer flashes in your head, that's good, but don't rush to rejoice. Tell yourself: "What could be the second option?" And the third? Believe me, it is in the second and third options that real discoveries are born. For example, my neighbor once complained: "I have no money, so I can't develop my business." This is the first answer. And the second answer: maybe I should find a partner. The third: "Maybe I should start with less than I planned, but at least start." And when he got to the third option, his business started to go. Fourth. Questions to yourself. Many people are afraid to ask themselves uncomfortable questions because the answer might be unpleasant. But it is in these questions that the power lies. Ask yourself honestly: why do I waste time on things that don't bring results? Why do I get angry at people who do what I myself would like to do? Why do I promise myself every day to start a new life on Monday and find an excuse every time? I asked myself these questions about 20 years ago. And you know what? Did I understand? That half of my problems were not with others, but with me. And as soon as I realized this, my life changed. Fifth. Questions to others. In Jewish tradition, there is a very beautiful rule: if you want to understand a person, don't talk, ask. People love to talk about themselves, and if you ask them the right questions, you gain access to their experience, knowledge, feelings. This is a priceless gift. I learned to ask questions to old people on the bench, to children in the yard, even to random fellow travelers on the bus. And you know, I realized, every person has their own wisdom. It's just that most people don't bother to ask for it. Sixth. How to implement this trick into life? Now the most important thing. How to turn all this into a habit. Here is my advice. Take a notebook. Every evening, write down three questions about the past day. Not answers, only questions. The next day, try to find answers to them. Sometimes it will take a minute, sometimes a week. But your brain will constantly work, search, compare. It's like a gym for the mind. In a week, you will feel that you are starting to think deeper. I know you might be thinking now. What nonsense? Three questions. But it is in this simplicity that the power lies. Believe my experience, I have seen people who, thanks to this habit, changed careers, saved relationships, found new business ideas. Seventh. Jewish wisdom and practice. We have a proverb: "A fool seeks answers, a wise man seeks questions." These are not empty words. A question is like a key that opens new doors in the mind. The more keys you have, the more doors you can open. Now imagine, in a week you will accumulate 21 questions, in a month 90. In a year, over a thousand. A thousand keys to new doors. Do you think your mind will change? Of course, yes. And now think, are you ready to live for a week according to this rule? Are you ready to try and see what happens? If yes, you yourself will be convinced, in 7 days you will become at least 60% smarter. So, my friends, let's summarize. We started with a simple idea. Intelligence is not a warehouse of knowledge, but a tool. And if you don't use this tool, it rusts. But if you use it correctly, even the simplest mind can become an instrument of genius. You have already understood the main trick – to ask questions. It would seem, what could be simpler, but it is precisely this that makes a person tens of percent smarter, literally in a week. I know some of you might think: "Well, it sounds nice, but it's too simple. But now let's be honest, do complex things really work in life?" No, only simple habits that you can do every day work. Wash your hands, brush your teeth, say thank you, ask a question. This is the real power. Paragraph. A small habit, big changes. I had an acquaintance, his name was Yitzhak. He was an ordinary guy, without special talents. He studied mediocrely in school, didn't stand out at work. But he had one habit. He always asked questions, wasn't shy, wasn't afraid of looking foolish. He could ask his boss: "And why do we do it this way?" He could ask his neighbor: "And how do you save on electricity?" He could ask his wife: "What did I do that you are angry today?" At first, they laughed at him, but then they started to respect him, because he always found unexpected solutions, knew how to negotiate, understood people. And after 10 years, he became the manager, although everyone considered him average. So, the power of questions made him a wise person. And if it worked for Yitzhak, for me, for my grandfather, then it will work for you too. Second. What will happen to you in a week? Let me paint a picture for you. You start practicing, you ask yourself questions every day. After 2-3 days, you notice that your brain seems to come alive. You start noticing things that used to fly by. After 5 days, you catch yourself thinking that it's easier to talk to people. You listen to them not to answer, but to understand. And after a week, you look at yourself in the mirror and think: "Stop, I've become different. I've started seeing the world differently." I've become smarter, and this is just the beginning. Third. Why will this change your life? Questions make us free. Someone lives because it's the norm. You have to work, you have to get married, you have to buy a car. But a smart person asks themselves: "And why do I need this specifically?" And suddenly realizes that you can live differently. Someone quarrels with loved ones over trifles, but a smart person asks: "And what is more important to me: proving my point or preserving the relationship?" And chooses wisdom. Someone is afraid of change, because what if it doesn't work out? But a smart person asks: "And what will I lose if I at least try?" And takes a step forward. You see, questions change your perspective. And when your perspective changes, your whole life changes. Fourth. Farewell. I want you to remember one thing. It doesn't matter how old you are. It doesn't matter where you live or what you do. Intelligence is not a privilege of professors and philosophers. Intelligence is a tool that everyone has. The only question is, are you using it? And I ask you, start today. Take a piece of paper, write down three questions about your day. Tomorrow, three more. In a week, come back to them and read them. You will be surprised. It will be like a conversation with yourself. Only deeper, you will see how you are growing. Fifth. Support and motivation. I know that life is not always easy. There are days when it seems, why all this? Nothing will change anyway. But believe my experience, small steps change everything. No one becomes wise overnight. But if you make a small effort every day, in a year you will become a completely different person. And one more thing: intelligence is not just for yourself. When you become smarter, everyone around you wins: your children, your parents, your friends, because you start to pass on the right thoughts, the right questions to them. You become an example. Sixth. Conclusion. So, my friends, here is a simple conclusion. Do you want to become 60% smarter in a week? Start asking questions. Do you want to become twice as smart in a year, keep asking questions. Do you want to become wiser than your entire street, never stop. Remember what my grandfather used to say: "Wisdom is a habit, and a habit can be developed in 7 days." Seventh. Call to subscribe. And now I want to address you. If this philosophy resonates with you, if you feel that these simple stories and advice help you change, stay with me. Subscribe to the channel. Not because it's the norm on YouTube, but because there will be even more wisdom, even more stories, even more little secrets that help make life easier, smarter, and happier. And I promise, every video will be like a conversation with an old friend who will always tell the truth and share their experience. So hit subscribe, turn on the bell, and let's build a life together where there are more questions, more answers, and most importantly, more wisdom. And, as we say, may your questions be wise and your answers useful. Take care. And see you in the next video.