“Whenever something bad happens, keep calm, take a few deep breaths and shift the focus to something positive.”
Roy. T. Bennett
This was obviously said well before COVID, but it still applies. The question is how do you apply it. It is often so simple to get stuck. Questioning, why did this happen to me?
Being a high influencer, according to the Clifton StrengthsFinder®, asking and finding out why is inspiring. 
Combined with #9Analytical, asking questions is a habit. However when un-resourceful, asking too many questions or what may be considered ‘negative’ questions, can get me stuck.
Is the simple answer just focus on the positive? To some of us that may appear naive or simply annoy the crap out of us. In times of frustration and doubt, telling someone to calm down, breath and think positive can be the worst thing to say.
If you are the analytical type, there is stimulation in questions. It’s just a matter of asking the right questions. Reminding someone with an analytical mindset to ask resourceful questions is more inspiring and sounds a lot different to think positively. However, it will more often than not have a positive effect.
While studying the Analytical talent, we had the pleasure of interviewing strengths coach Page Patten and we asked her how Analytical can be ineffective and how you be more productive.
“I have learned that if I explain to others why I’m asking questions in the first place – or what my rationale is behind a specific question – it is received with more understanding and less frustration. Just a little proactive communication can go a long way. Another method I find useful is to write down my questions and then go back afterward and talk with the person about only a few of the most important ones. Taking a few minutes to assess on my own (which I already know comes easily) can save time and helps us reach an understanding together.”
Simply being aware Page needs to ask questions allows her to keep moving. She went on to say, asking too many questions can also get her stuck, or appear to others to delaying the process. It is simply about communication.
When I consider how my Analytical plays out, it is obvious when #1Maximizer gets involved, the need for excellence will go down the path of asking more questions trying to make things better. Analysis Paralysis becomes a victim of over optimisation because it may appear never good enough. Simple fix? Call on #4Activator. It may seem like a common solution, because it is. Dialling up and dialling down strengths is fun and inspiring and will get us out of the basement, better know as getting us unstuck.
If you want to learn more about the Analytical talent and read more about Page’s interview, we just re-released How to Analyze Success on Amazon. Or you may wish to read about all 34 talent themes and the interviews with over 32 strengths coaches in How to Reduce Stress and Create Success.
And remember, focus on your strengths.
