The people who grow the fastest are usually the ones who aren’t afraid to ask.

Every time I’ve had the chance to spend time in a business, shadow someone, or meet an entrepreneur, I’ve walked away with one goal: learn something I didn’t know before. That’s exactly how I’ve approached building my t-shirt business. I definitely don’t have all the answers, but I’ve learnt that asking the right questions can save you months of trial and error.

If you’re lucky enough to visit a workplace or meet someone in a career you’re interested in, don’t waste the opportunity by sitting quietly the whole time. Most professionals enjoy talking about what they do, especially when they can see you’re genuinely interested.

Instead of asking questions you can Google later, ask about their experiences.

Questions like:

• What do you enjoy most about your job?
• What has been your biggest challenge?
• If you could go back to high school, what would you do differently?
• What skills helped you get to where you are today?
• What advice would you give someone my age?

Those conversations often teach you more than a textbook ever could.

I’ve also learnt that listening is just as important as asking. Sometimes people answer one question, but hidden inside that answer is another lesson you weren’t expecting. The more you listen, the more you’ll understand how different industries really work.

And don’t worry about asking the “perfect” question. There isn’t one.

People won’t remember whether your question sounded clever. They’ll remember that you were curious, respectful and genuinely interested in learning.

Every successful person you admire started out knowing very little. The difference is that they kept learning. So the next time you’re in a new environment, don’t be the quiet person standing in the corner hoping knowledge somehow rubs off on you.

Be curious. Be confident enough to ask. You never know which answer could change the way you see your future.

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