Guest post - QBQ QuickNote

(This is an image from a few years ago of me. We were in Florida and I was navigating my way through a small pond when the next thing I knew I was in the mouth of this large reptile. I had to get a picture of it [of course]. A tourist standing off to the side snapped this shot of me.

{OK, it is a staged photo of me but it is a fun story. ha ha}

One of my all time favorite books is QBQ, [The Question behind the Question, by John Miller]. Below is a QuickNote written by John and used with permission. If you never read the book QBQ, then I highly recommend you pick up a copy and read it or download it from www.audible.com.


If you take the time and apply what you read, it will change you.


QBQ! (The Question Behind the Question) QuickNote

QBQ! QuickNotes™ may be forwarded by email to others or printed in their entirety with full credit given for personal and group use. © QBQ, Inc. 2008. All rights reserved.

What If Your Guy Loses?

Note: Please join John Miller and Dave Ramsey on Thursday, November 6th on The Dave Ramsey Show on FOX Business Network (TV) as they explore "Personal Accountability and the QBQ!"

Well, every four years in America we vote for the POTUS (President of the United States), and every four years on the day after there is weeping and gnashing of teeth by the losing side. And the truth is, the losing side is just about as large as the winning side. Amazingly, there could be 60 million people who vote for the ticket that does not win on November 4th, 2008. That's a ton of people who'll have a choice to make.

The choice to whine, complain, bemoan, and blame—or simply bring personal accountability to their daily walk by asking The Question Behind the Question (QBQ), "What can I do today to move on?" "How can I be my best on the job?" and "What can I do to serve people?" These questions enable those whose candidate remains a U.S. Senator, to avoid the humanness of finger-pointing, victim thinking, and discouragement.

And for the slightly larger winning side, where does personal accountability come into play? Will this group think that now all is right with the world? It's so easy to give a U.S. President too much power—in our minds—over our lives. It always makes me laugh when, with our massive, ever-changing, and complex economy, we think it's all about the man in the Oval Office. The truth is, economies go up and they go down—and then they go up again. By their very nature they are cyclical. When they're strong, the President gets too much applause, and when they slump he's buried in way too much blame. And so, in that vein, for the winning voters on Wednesday morning November 5, how dangerous these thoughts would be: "Yes! My guy won! Now I'll have a better job and more income and good finances and perfect health and a happier life and ... !"

Really? Does the POTUS have that much power, influence, and control? Would we, in a democracy, want him to? Can he give and take away joy? Will he help me get my personal finances in order? Will his tenure improve my relationships or keep me in shape? Do I really need my guy to be in the Oval Office for me to excel at my work, love and provide for my family, and contribute to the lives of others?

My wife, Karen, gave me a t-shirt that reads: It's All About Me! I don't think it was a positive statement the day she handed it to me, but in reality, aren't my successes and setbacks all about me? Isn't it about me taking ownership for my personal growth; me contributing; me setting and reaching goals?

Me loving life? Me loving my country?

Yes, regardless of who's in the Oval Office and what political party is in charge of Congress, it's really all about personal responsibility—individuals making good choices each day, and being accountable for those choices.

And for all of you who vote for the guy who doesn't make it, I say TAKE HEART! There'll be another election in 2012 and another round of advertising and debates. And that campaign will begin in January ... 2009.

Meanwhile, I recommend using what we call the Ultimate QBQ! - "What can I do right now to let go of what I can't control?" Remember, no matter who is elected as the next POTUS, for each American there is no debate: The answers are still in the questions, and personal accountability is still the secret to our success.

John G. Miller

Author of QBQ! and Flipping the Switch

Edited by Kristin Lindeen

QBQ! speaker/workshop facilitator

Please enjoy two QBQ!® interviews:

The Dave Ramsey TV Show QBQ! interview:



CBS-4 QBQ! interview:



QBQ, Inc.

Helping Organizations Make Personal Accountability a Core Value ™

11368 Nucla Street, Denver, CO 80022

303-286-9900, Fax: 303-286-9911

Email: info@QBQ.com