When we’re exploring any compelling direction, we move forward one question at a time, since the most constant and abundant asset is uncertainty. The more questions we identify and classify, the better the velocity and quality of our learning and momentum.
We classify questions into 4 categories: research, reflection, rejection and repositioning.
Research
These are questions we can search on, interview people with experience and expertise for or experiment with.
Reflection
These are questions we can't research but are better suited for our own creative and critical reflection.
Rejection
These are questions that, though interesting, are not actionable. They can be unknowable or speculative.
Repositioning
These are good questions, just premature and need to be timed for research or reflection down the road.
The key is to keep identifying and classifying new questions as they emerge along the way. Every step forward answers questions we have and raises new ones. This keeps us continuously wise, realistic and agile.