Every day, I start my morning with the question, "How can I?" It may seem simple, but this question packs a punch. It keeps me focused on what's in my control, and while that's often only less than 5% of what's at play, over time I've realized that's sufficient to turn the tide. I remember one particularly challenging project where everything seemed to be falling apart. Deadlines were tight, resources were limited, and team morale was low. It was a perfect storm of obstacles. Instead of succumbing to the pressure, I asked myself, "How can I...?" This question shifted my focus from the problems to potential solutions. Our leadership team put our heads together. We brainstormed ways to reallocate resources, streamline processes, and boost team motivation. One idea was to implement a flexible schedule that allowed the team to work during their most productive hours, which significantly improved both efficiency and morale. The result? We not only met our deadlines but also exceeded our customer's expectations. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of "How can I?" It’s a mindset that opens doors to creativity and resilience, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. In both personal and professional settings, this question keeps me proactive and solutions-oriented. It's been a cornerstone of my journey as a leader and a continuous learner. So, whenever you face a challenge, ask yourself, "How can I?" and see how it transforms your approach and outcomes.
The one question I ask myself everyday is, "What has to be completed today?" It helps me prioritize tasks and reduce any noise that may try to deviate my attention. By consistently asking myself this question each morning, I am able to reduce stress and maintain steady progress on my larger workload. On days where multiple things need to be completed, I prioritize the harder tasks, as I've found those are easier to complete earlier in the day, while saving some of the more menial tasks for later in the afternoon.
'How can I be 1% better than yesterday?' This is the question I write down in my journal every morning. Looking back, my biggest growth moments happened when I paused to assess: Where I used to be, where I am now and where I want to be. That gap between the 'now' and the desired situation can be scary, hindering and disheartening for many. I get it—it used to be for me, too. But everything changes when you realise that the gap is your roadmap and not your reason to stop pursuing your goals. I found out that reflecting on how you can improve daily, even by just 1%, is the most sustainable way to stay committed to following your plan. This worked for me, and I hope it can help others, too.
Chief Branding Officer + Co-Founder at The Foundry for Art Design + Culture
Answered 2 years ago
I try to ask myself every day if what I'm focusing on is serving my higher purpose which is to inspire and empower. This question helps me understand whether I'm truly aligned with my goals or simply getting distracted. It's been instrumental in ensuring that my mental and physical energy is directed towards what genuinely matters to me both personally and professionally. This daily check-in also helps me reassess and adjust my goals, keeping them relevant and aligned with my evolving vision. It keeps me grounded and intentional in my actions and not just slogging through the motions.
Visualising the future and asking myself, especially on the days that I don’t feel motivated, “What would a version of me that’s 10 years older do right now?” causes the biggest switch in my behaviour. It helps me detach myself from a current situation and realise that what I’m feeling right now will pass, but the results of actions I’ll take will stay. Everything I will do and every step I’ll take, no matter how stressful or boring, will bring results my way and shape my life - like a butterfly effect. Ever since asking this questions, I noticed a consistent shift in my personal and business growth, pushing me to do more than I originally planned or “felt like doing”. I always used to compare my progress to other accounts and creators I see online, but we all have different long-term goals that we’re working towards. Not comparing yourself to others is easier said than done, but ever since I became focused on what a version of me (that’s 10 years older) could be doing, it helps me concentrate on what I want my future to look like and how can I get there. No matter what your life looks like right now, writing down what you want it to look like, detaching yourself from the reality and reminding yourself of it every day will help to take steps relevant to your future. Whether it’s working with a business, collaborating with a certain brand, publishing a specific type of content on social media - the thought of who you want to become will help you decide what to pursue and that’s what you should focus on, the long-term picture.
The question I ask myself everyday is what are you going to do better today that you did not do yesterday? By asking myself this question, it helps me acknowledge my successes from the previous day and it helps me identify what I could be doing better in the future. Personal development comes from a deep desire of wanting to be more and do more every day. I have never been the type of person to sit back and accept the status quo. I have always been driven to be better and do better and set my own high expectations for the future. Has it been a struggle, yes, has it been rewarding absolutely. Having a strong mindset is the single most important thing you can work on and continue to work on daily. With a strong mind yiu can accomplish all that you set your mind too, and you can pull yourself out of dark places when you need to as well. From a business building perspective asking myself daily what can I do better than I did yesterday and acting on it is my driving force. If you are not willing to work on your business and build your business, who umis going to do it for you? Who wants your business to succeed more than you? No one!! So you need to identify what you need to do differently today that is going to bring you the greatest reward tomorrow. Be a forward and strategic Thinker. Make time to think. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and as yourself, what can I do differently today and will make me a better person and business owner tomorrow and watch the magic happen.
Founder, Career Strategist & Personal Branding Consultant at WeApply Canada Inc.
Answered 2 years ago
Every evening, I take a few minutes to reflect on the day. I ask myself, "What did I improve today, and where are there areas for improvement?" This question helps me break down my long-term goals into small, actionable steps. It's so easy to get stuck on what is not working but this approach helps build a sense of gratitude. It also provides me with the opportunity to pause and appreciate the progress I've made, even though there's still a long journey ahead. It is a constant reminder that growth is a continuous process, and each step, no matter how minor, is a step forward.
What's one question you try to ask yourself every day? “Is my team staying in-front of the wildly evolving gaming industry while keeping the authenticity and faith that we’ve established with our customers since the company was a start up?” Our ‘For Gamers, by Gamers’ ethos established the basis of our innovation and authentic relationship with gamers. As gamers ourselves, we constantly evolve our products to be ahead of player’s changing needs. Our Huntsman V3 Pro Gaming Keyboard, Viper V3 Pro wireless mouse and the 240hz OLED display on our latest Razer Blade gaming laptops were purpose-designed for competitive First-Person Shooter players, allowing true in-game advantage. In fact, we’ve segmented our PC gaming peripherals into an “immersive” line which provides the most stunning surround environment and feature set and a “performance” line focusing on pure performance for competitive players. The marketing and sales team runs at an epic pace to keep up with Razer’s innovation. We constantly strive to anticipate where our customers' needs us and seek innovation in better connecting our purpose-built products to the exact customer it was built for. We see AI, not just as a technology for productivity, but a transformative consumer engagement tool to make it easier to perfectly match a player with the right tool. We are embracing these advancements as they offer the ability to deliver a customer experience that is in-line with Razer’s innovative products. For example, keyword searches like “best gaming keyboard” will be replaced by natural language queries that allow a gamer to express a personal need like ‘fastest rapid trigger keyboard for counter strafing in Valorant.” How has asking this question helped with your personal or business growth? Questioning how we drive innovation while maintaining authenticity has been instrumental in the company’s growth. This line of thinking forces us to remain agile and proactive – all while ensuring we listen to our customers’ feedback and anticipate their needs. This mindset has not only kept Razer at the forefront of the gaming industry for many years but has fostered a company culture of continuous improvement. My recommendation is to never lose sight of your brand identity and to continuously drive innovation by listening and responding to your customers. Understand their needs and be prepared to adapt to new technologies and trends.
One question I ask myself every day is, "What value can I provide today?" This simple yet powerful question has significantly impacted both my personal and business growth. In my personal life, it helps me stay focused on meaningful interactions and activities that enrich my relationships and well-being. By considering how I can add value to others' lives, I foster stronger connections and cultivate a supportive network of friends and family. In my business, this question drives my approach to client management and service delivery. It prompts me to continuously seek ways to enhance the value I offer to my clients, whether through improving service efficiency, providing insightful advice, or staying ahead of industry trends. This focus on value has led to a 200% growth in client profiles within the first month, demonstrating the tangible impact of this mindset. Overall, this daily question keeps me aligned with my goals, motivates me to innovate, and ensures that my actions are purposeful and impactful. It’s a simple practice that yields significant results.
The one question I ask myself every day is whether my goals have shifted. When you're running a business, nothing is ever static. You always have to be reassessing, pivoting, and adjusting course. The same actions you took yesterday might not move you toward today's goals. If you don't stop and consciously think about whether those goals have changed for your (personal, professional, financial), that's when it becomes really easy to stagnate or plateau in your work.
QUESTION: What didn’t go so well today, and what can I learn about that experience? Like many business professionals, I have a tendency to be very future-oriented. I’m constantly planning, setting goals and going after those goals. But this process is never smooth and easy. There are many bumps along the way—obstacles, setbacks, disappointments. And if I’m not careful, I’ll start looking at those challenges in a negative light. Asking myself this question, forces me to look for the good in the bad. It enables me to find the hidden lessons that will make me stronger and give me a better perspective. And very often, this process helps me find better ideas and approaches to meeting my goals. Challenges and setbacks are there to guide us. We get to choose whether they’ll discourage us or teach us a valuable lesson.
"What’s the unconventional approach here?". I've found that this question allows me to break free from traditional thinking—in other words, find unconventional or often overlooked solutions. In marketing, the conventional path usually leads to predictable outcomes (and rarely works). By looking for unconventional angles, I'm able to see what others don’t and capitalize on those insights. In my personal life, this question helps keep life interesting. It encourages me to explore new perspectives and challenge my assumptions, which is one of the values I hold close. It's also led to richer experiences and unexpected opportunities. At the end of the day, this question is really about creativity and curiosity, which is what I'm all about.
Career Coach & LinkedIn Strategist at Digital Butterfly Communications, LLC
Answered 2 years ago
Did I accomplish my 3 priorities for the day? Before I begin my workday, I write down 3 things I need to accomplish. For example, it could be finishing a report, responding to important emails, and preparing for a meeting. I enjoy feeling a sense of accomplishment and energized to move on to the other items on the list. I’ve been asking myself this question for years and creating my top 3 priorities list. I determine these priorities based on their urgency, importance, and impact on my overall goals. Once I finish those tasks, I move on to the rest of the list. If I don’t list a few items that are a priority, as I go on with my day, other items will try to compete with the priority list and change my focus or make me lose focus of what needs to be done. It also significantly affects how I feel at the end of the workday if I don’t accomplish those 3 goals. The feeling of unfulfillment and the knowledge that I could have done better can be quite discouraging for an achiever. This question has helped me avoid procrastination because the longer I put off a task, the more it will stay on my mind and impact my growth. A short priority list also brings a sense of fulfillment as it helps me finish my day feeling accomplished. It’s a great way to pat yourself on the back because you achieve 3 daily goals. It’s a simple but very effective exercise because it puts you in control of your schedule and tasks, whether you work for yourself or a company.
Who in the team am I yet to hear from? I don’t always hear from everyone on the team every day. Over time, I have learnt that most high performers are always head down. They are always working and coming up with new solutions to challenges. Employees who appear independent and knowledgeable are the ones who need coaching the most. Therefore, at the end of the day, I pay attention to who I have talked to and who I have not. Then, I reach out to those I haven’t heard from. Often, they are always working on something they could use support with but won’t ask for it. Sometimes, people are quiet because they are doing the right thing, and I want to celebrate their milestones, however little, with them. Asking this helps me connect with everyone on the team, creating a culture where everyone feels comfortable to contribute. It improves team cohesion and performance.
International SEO Consultant, Owner at Chilli Fruit Web Consulting
Answered 2 years ago
Every day, I start by asking myself two important questions: "What do I want to achieve today?" and "What can I do to make myself and my family proud?" These questions guide me and keep me level-headed. When I ask, "What do I want to achieve today?" it helps me focus on my goals for the day. It’s like setting a to-do list in my mind, making sure I stay on track and productive. Breaking down big projects into smaller tasks makes them less overwhelming and more manageable. This habit has really helped me grow my business, Chilli Fruit Web Consulting, by keeping me on top of my priorities and moving forward every day. The second question, "What can I do to make myself and my family proud?" adds a deeper meaning to my daily routine. It’s a reminder to live according to my values and to think about how my actions affect the people I care about. This question keeps me motivated, especially when things get tough. It’s not just about achieving success at work, but also about being a good person and making a positive impact on my loved ones. These daily reflections help me stay focused and true to myself. They ensure that my actions align with both my professional goals and personal values, helping me make better decisions and lead a more balanced, fulfilling life.
I manage a digital marketing agency, and I've learned that staying productive is absolutely vital to my personal and business growth. It's clichéd (and even a little cheesy) but I've learned over the years that I'm always my most productive when I'm not stressed, sick, or tired. When I'm healthy and well-adjusted, everything becomes easier. So, to help uphold this healthy balance and stay productive I ask myself: "What don't I have to do today? What can wait until tomorrow, next week, or next month?" I find that by identifying what really needs to be done now to get results, I can prioritize my time effectively. Then, once I know what I have to get done today, I make it non-negotiable and I remove all distractions (and I mean all distractions). I close unnecessary applications, silence calls, and place devices like my smartphone far away. By creating this highly focused, task-based environment, I maintain my productivity levels without overreaching on my capacity, and this has helped me maintain steady professional and personal growth over the years.
One question I try to ask myself every day is, "How can we improve the candidate experience?" By focusing on this question, I ensure that our recruiting platform continually evolves to meet the needs and expectations of job seekers. This approach has significantly contributed to our growth by fostering a user-centric culture that values feedback and strives for excellence. It has led to the implementation of more intuitive navigation, more personalized job recommendations, and enhanced communication features, all of which have increased candidate satisfaction and engagement.
I start every day by identifying the top tasks I need to accomplish in the day at work. Then I look at what I can do to spark joy in the day. This is usually some type of workout or even a simple facemask. Finally, if time permits, I see what admin work and household chores I can squeeze in. Answering these questions leads to a balanced day of productive output and joyfulness. Oliver Burkeman, the author of "Four Thousand Weeks" calls this the 3/3/3 method of time management.
One question I try to ask myself every day is, "What can I learn from today's experiences?" This question has been instrumental in fostering personal and business growth. Reflecting on the lessons and insights gained from each day allows me to identify areas for improvement, celebrate successes, and make adjustments to my approach. This daily self-inquiry helps maintain a growth mindset, continuously learn from experiences, and adapt strategies accordingly. Embracing challenges as opportunities for growth, developing new skills, and making informed decisions are all outcomes of consistently asking this question. It encourages self-awareness, continuous learning, and a proactive mindset, leading to significant personal and professional growth.
For me, one question I always try to ask on a daily basis is: “What can I do today that will push me outside of my comfort zone?” Being willing to try new things, have new experiences, and stretch yourself beyond your current limits is absolutely critical for those who want to continuously grow and improve. It’s been my experience that this becomes easier with practice. The more experience you have with breaking your current routines and pushing beyond what you know and are comfortable with, even in small ways, the easier it is to put yourself out there and get out of your comfort zone in more substantial ways. This is why I try to stay in this habit of seeking out new experiences on a day-to-day basis, even if it’s in ways that are unrelated to my professional life or current growth goals. Something as simple as trying a new type of cuisine, for example, still broadens your perspective and keeps your mind primed to absorb new experiences and information, and I’ve found that’s very beneficial for ensuring I continue to grow both personally and professionally.