Facebook Pixel
Searching...
English
EnglishEnglish
EspañolSpanish
简体中文Chinese
FrançaisFrench
DeutschGerman
日本語Japanese
PortuguêsPortuguese
ItalianoItalian
한국어Korean
РусскийRussian
NederlandsDutch
العربيةArabic
PolskiPolish
हिन्दीHindi
Tiếng ViệtVietnamese
SvenskaSwedish
ΕλληνικάGreek
TürkçeTurkish
ไทยThai
ČeštinaCzech
RomânăRomanian
MagyarHungarian
УкраїнськаUkrainian
Bahasa IndonesiaIndonesian
DanskDanish
SuomiFinnish
БългарскиBulgarian
עבריתHebrew
NorskNorwegian
HrvatskiCroatian
CatalàCatalan
SlovenčinaSlovak
LietuviųLithuanian
SlovenščinaSlovenian
СрпскиSerbian
EestiEstonian
LatviešuLatvian
فارسیPersian
മലയാളംMalayalam
தமிழ்Tamil
اردوUrdu
The Question Book

The Question Book

What Makes You Tick?
by Mikael Krogerus 2009 176 pages
3.38
500+ ratings
Listen
Listen to Summary

Key Takeaways

1. Self-Discovery Through Thoughtful Questioning

"We believe everyone has a good story to tell: you just need to ask them the right questions."

Power of Inquiry. The Question Book is fundamentally about uncovering deeper personal insights through carefully crafted questions. It serves as a tool for self-exploration, encouraging individuals to reflect on aspects of their lives they might typically overlook or avoid.

Purpose of Questioning:

  • Stimulate personal reflection
  • Uncover hidden perspectives
  • Challenge existing assumptions
  • Promote deeper self-understanding

Methodology. The book provides a structured approach to self-discovery, offering questions that range from surface-level inquiries to profound existential explorations. By systematically working through these questions, individuals can gain comprehensive insights into their personal experiences, motivations, and inner worlds.

2. Embracing Vulnerability and Honesty

"There are no right answers, only honest ones."

Radical Honesty. The book emphasizes the importance of authentic self-expression, creating a safe space for individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment. This approach requires courage and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.

Key Principles of Vulnerability:

  • Acknowledge personal limitations
  • Recognize emotional complexity
  • Embrace imperfection
  • Practice self-compassion

Transformative Potential. By encouraging raw, unfiltered responses, the book suggests that true personal growth emerges from confronting our authentic selves, including our fears, dreams, and contradictions.

3. Reflecting on Personal Evolution

"Something significant that has changed in your life in the last two years."

Continuous Transformation. The book recognizes that personal identity is not static but constantly evolving. By prompting reflection on past experiences and current perspectives, it encourages readers to understand their personal growth trajectories.

Dimensions of Personal Change:

  • Professional development
  • Emotional maturity
  • Relationship dynamics
  • Values and beliefs
  • Self-perception

Narrative Construction. The questions help individuals construct a coherent narrative of their life, understanding how past experiences shape current realities and future aspirations.

4. Understanding Career and Professional Identity

"Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become."

Professional Self-Exploration. The book delves deep into career-related questions, encouraging readers to examine their professional identities beyond mere job titles or salary brackets.

Career Reflection Areas:

  • Motivational drivers
  • Work-life balance
  • Professional aspirations
  • Skills and competencies
  • Workplace relationships

Holistic Career Perspective. By exploring career through a multifaceted lens, the book helps individuals understand their professional journey as an integral part of their broader life narrative.

5. Exploring Relationships and Intimacy

"Who believes in you?"

Relational Depth. The book provides a comprehensive framework for examining relationships, from romantic partnerships to friendships, family dynamics, and professional connections.

Relationship Exploration Dimensions:

  • Emotional intimacy
  • Communication patterns
  • Trust and vulnerability
  • Personal expectations
  • Interpersonal dynamics

Interpersonal Understanding. By encouraging honest reflection on relationships, the book helps readers develop more nuanced, empathetic perspectives on human connections.

6. Confronting Personal Fears and Aspirations

"What are you afraid of?"

Psychological Exploration. The book creates a safe space for confronting personal fears, anxieties, and deep-seated aspirations that often remain unexamined.

Fear and Aspiration Dimensions:

  • Personal limitations
  • Future uncertainties
  • Emotional vulnerabilities
  • Unfulfilled potential
  • Life goals

Transformative Potential. By bringing hidden fears and aspirations to the surface, the book enables readers to develop more intentional life strategies.

7. Examining Personal Values and Beliefs

"What do you believe in although you can't prove it?"

Philosophical Inquiry. The book encourages deep exploration of personal values, spiritual beliefs, and philosophical perspectives that shape individual worldviews.

Value Exploration Areas:

  • Spiritual convictions
  • Moral frameworks
  • Cultural influences
  • Personal ethics
  • Existential questions

Meaning-Making. By prompting reflection on core beliefs, the book helps individuals understand the fundamental principles guiding their lives.

8. Navigating Life's Transitions and Challenges

"What is the most difficult stage of your life so far?"

Resilience and Adaptation. The book recognizes life as a series of transitions, challenges, and opportunities for personal growth.

Transition Exploration:

  • Overcoming personal challenges
  • Adapting to change
  • Learning from adversity
  • Personal resilience
  • Emotional intelligence

Growth Perspective. By reframing challenges as opportunities for learning and development, the book promotes a resilient, growth-oriented mindset.

9. The Importance of Self-Awareness

"Take a look at your professional life: did you envisage it like this?"

Conscious Living. The book emphasizes self-awareness as a critical tool for personal development, encouraging readers to critically examine their life choices and trajectories.

Self-Awareness Dimensions:

  • Personal motivations
  • Behavioral patterns
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Decision-making processes
  • Life satisfaction

Intentional Living. By promoting deep self-reflection, the book helps individuals live more consciously and deliberately.

10. Personal Growth Through Introspection

"If you can dream it, you can do it."

Continuous Learning. The book presents introspection as an ongoing process of personal discovery, learning, and transformation.

Growth Strategies:

  • Embracing curiosity
  • Challenging assumptions
  • Practicing self-compassion
  • Remaining open to change
  • Celebrating personal evolution

Empowerment. By providing a structured approach to self-exploration, the book empowers individuals to take active roles in their personal development.

Last updated:

Review Summary

3.38 out of 5
Average of 500+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

The Question Book received mixed reviews, with an average rating of 3.39 out of 5. Some readers found it thought-provoking and useful for self-reflection, while others felt the questions were repetitive or underwhelming. Positive reviews praised its potential for self-discovery and as a conversation starter. Negative reviews criticized its lack of depth and guidance. Many readers noted it's more of a notebook than a traditional book, and some advised keeping answers private. The book's format and purpose were divisive, with opinions ranging from "brilliance" to "worse than I thought."

Your rating:

About the Author

Mikael Krogerus is a freelance writer who has contributed to various German and Swiss publications. He spent five years as a staff writer for NZZ FOLIO, the supplement magazine of Switzerland's leading newspaper, Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Before his career in journalism, Krogerus worked as a copywriter in advertising agencies. He is a graduate of the Kaospilot School, an institution known for its innovative approach to education and entrepreneurship. Krogerus has a diverse background, being a Finnish citizen who was raised in Sweden and Germany, which likely influences his perspective as a writer and thinker.

Download PDF

To save this The Question Book summary for later, download the free PDF. You can print it out, or read offline at your convenience.
Download PDF
File size: 0.20 MB     Pages: 12

Download EPUB

To read this The Question Book summary on your e-reader device or app, download the free EPUB. The .epub digital book format is ideal for reading ebooks on phones, tablets, and e-readers.
Download EPUB
File size: 2.93 MB     Pages: 7
0:00
-0:00
1x
Dan
Andrew
Michelle
Lauren
Select Speed
1.0×
+
200 words per minute
Create a free account to unlock:
Requests: Request new book summaries
Bookmarks: Save your favorite books
History: Revisit books later
Recommendations: Get personalized suggestions
Ratings: Rate books & see your ratings
Try Full Access for 7 Days
Listen, bookmark, and more
Compare Features Free Pro
📖 Read Summaries
All summaries are free to read in 40 languages
🎧 Listen to Summaries
Listen to unlimited summaries in 40 languages
❤️ Unlimited Bookmarks
Free users are limited to 10
📜 Unlimited History
Free users are limited to 10
Risk-Free Timeline
Today: Get Instant Access
Listen to full summaries of 73,530 books. That's 12,000+ hours of audio!
Day 4: Trial Reminder
We'll send you a notification that your trial is ending soon.
Day 7: Your subscription begins
You'll be charged on Mar 23,
cancel anytime before.
Consume 2.8x More Books
2.8x more books Listening Reading
Our users love us
100,000+ readers
"...I can 10x the number of books I can read..."
"...exceptionally accurate, engaging, and beautifully presented..."
"...better than any amazon review when I'm making a book-buying decision..."
Save 62%
Yearly
$119.88 $44.99/year
$3.75/mo
Monthly
$9.99/mo
Try Free & Unlock
7 days free, then $44.99/year. Cancel anytime.
Settings
Appearance
Black Friday Sale 🎉
$20 off Lifetime Access
$79.99 $59.99
Upgrade Now →