The Most Important Question to Ask Is: And Then What?

When I was a kid, I loved building towers with my blocks. I’d stack them high, one by one, until they wobbled. But every time I got too excited and added just one more block without thinking, the whole thing would crash. I learned pretty fast that I had to think a few steps ahead, not just about the block I was holding, but what would happen after I placed it. That’s when I started asking myself, “And then what?”

This simple question is like a flashlight in a dark room. It helps you see what’s coming next, so you don’t trip over your own plans. Let’s say you want to eat a giant bowl of ice cream for dinner. Sounds awesome, right? But if you ask, “And then what?” you might realize you’ll feel sick or get in trouble with your parents. That question makes you think about the after part of your choices.

It’s not just about ice cream, though. This question works for big things too. Like, let’s say you want to skip doing your homework to play video games. You might think, “I’ll have fun!” But if you ask, “And then what?” you’ll see that you might not understand the next lesson in class, or you could get a bad grade. Asking this question is like hitting the pause button to check if your idea is as good as it seems.

The question helps everyone, even people making big decisions. Like when someone wants to spend all their money on a cool toy. If they ask, “And then what?” they might realize they won’t have enough left for something else they need. It’s like when you’re playing a board game and you plan your moves to avoid landing on someone else’s trap.

The cool thing about “And then what?” is that it’s not just about avoiding mistakes. It can help you make things better. Say you want to make a new friend. You could just say hi and hope it works. But if you ask, “And then what?” you might think to ask them about their favorite game or invite them to play at recess. That question helps you build a stronger plan, like adding extra supports to your block tower so it doesn’t fall.

Sometimes, asking “And then what?” feels like extra work. It’s tempting to just do whatever pops into your head. But when I ignore that question, I usually end up wishing I hadn’t. Like the time I decided to jump off the swings at the park without checking the ground first. Spoiler: I landed in a muddy puddle. If I’d asked, “And then what?” I might’ve noticed the mess waiting for me.

You don’t need to be a genius to use this question. It’s just about looking a little further down the road. Next time you’re about to do something, whether it’s eating a snack, starting a project, or arguing with your sibling, try asking, “And then what?” It’s like giving yourself a superpower to make better choices and avoid big messes. And who knows? Maybe your block tower will stay standing longer than mine ever did.