The Magic of Open-Ended Questions
What if I told you that a single question could unlock a new perspective, spark a breakthrough, or help you move through a dilemma with more compassion?
Open-ended questions have that kind of magical power.
Whether you're a coach guiding a client through a conversation or exploring your beliefs and emotions in a journal, these questions invite deeper reflection, curiosity, and insight.
They’re the difference between staying on the surface and diving into the experience in a more meaningful way.
This week, I want to share why open-ended questions are so impactful—and how you can use them to up-level your journaling practice, personal growth, or client coaching sessions.
What Exactly Are Open-Ended Questions?
An open-ended question is a question that can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." For example:
Closed question: "Are you happy with your career?"
Open-ended question: "What would a truly fulfilling career look like to you?"
Closed question: “Do you want to forgive them?
Open-ended question: "How does forgiveness change this?"
Do you feel the shift?
Open-ended questions don't just solicit an answer—they invite more introspection.
They allow you (or your client) to explore what you or they think, feel, or want with fewer limitations of a yes or no.
They create more understanding and broaden perspectives.
Why Open-Ended Questions Work
Whether you're a coach, a mentor, or simply someone committed to personal transformation, open-ended questions can:
Create space for exploration. They allow you (or others) to untangle complex emotions and ideas. Often, answering the question reveals insights you didn’t know you had.
Encourage curiosity and creativity. Instead of jumping to conclusions, open-ended questions prompt you to think beyond your usual patterns.
Foster deeper awareness. In journaling, these questions help you uncover hidden beliefs, clarify your goals, and connect with your true desires. In coaching sessions, the client may access a new insight or perspective.
Using Open-Ended Questions in Self-Reflection
Your journal is one of the best places to experiment with open-ended questions because you can safely and compassionately explore your answers.
Here are a few prompts to try:
What’s one area of my life where I feel most aligned, and why?
What have I been avoiding, and what is it costing me?
If I trusted that I was exactly where I needed to be, how would that change how I treat myself today?
Try not to judge the answer when you sit with questions that reveal new information.
Let the answer just be.
Notice your curiosity about your answer and what else you want to know.
Tips for Creating Your Open-Ended Questions
If you’re ready to create your own prompts or use open-ended questions in meaningful conversations, here are a few suggestions:
Start with “What” or “How.” These words naturally open the door to exploration. For example, try “What can I learn from this experience?”
Keep it neutral. Avoid questions that feel leading or judgmental. Instead of asking, “Why didn’t this work out?” try, “What feels like the next right step for you?”
Stay curious. Sometimes, the most potent follow-up question is, “What else?”
A Gift to Help You Go Deeper
Because I believe in the life-changing power of open-ended questions, I’ve put together something special for you: my 80 favorite open-ended coaching questions.
Coaches, you’ll love that I included suggestions on when to use them in the coaching conversations.
They can also be used as prompts for self-reflection or to take your journaling practice to a new level.
Click here to download my Golden Coaching Questions.
I hope these questions spark meaningful and fun insights and help you uncover what’s most important to you.
With immense appreciation & gratitude. Always.
