Asking active questions changes everything.

Simple, yet misunderstood, active questions can change our behaviour because they reveal (1) where we are succeeding and (2) where we need further improvement.

And in doing so, they rivet our attention on what we can actually change.

The Daily Questions

In his book, Triggers: Sparking Positive Change and Making It Last, Marshall Goldsmith outlines six active questions that fully engage us in life and work. He calls these, “The Daily Questions”.

There are six daily questions in total. Let’s look at each in turn.

1. Did I Do My Best to Set Clear Goals Today?

If you have concrete goals, you’ll have greater engagement than people who don’t.

As Goldsmith writes,

If you don’t have clear goals and ask yourself, ‘Am I fully engaged?’ the obvious follow-up is, ‘Engaged to do what?’ [1]

If you don’t commit to something, you’ll be distracted by everything. Ask yourself, “Am I doing the easy thing or the right thing?”

2. Did I Do My Best to Make Progress Toward My Goals Today?

In her book, The Progress Principle, Teresa Amabile writes,

Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work. [2]

Setting big, hairy, audacious goals isn’t enough: we need to see ourselves moving from where we are to where we want to be as well.

Focus on the next play and remember: success is a process, not a destination.

3. Did I Do My Best to Find Meaning Today?

Finding meaning and purpose improves our lives. And it’s up to us, not anyone or anything else, to provide meaning.

You can find meaning in anything you’re doing. Yes, even doing the dishes: it’s an opportunity to build self-discipline.

4. Did I Do My Best to Be Happy Today?

If your work is meaningful but you’re still unhappy in other areas of your life, you’re going to feel unfulfilled.

And although we’re able to forecast our future emotional states (i.e. what we think will make us happy), we’re unable to estimate them correctly. [3]

Remember: happiness is a choice. And it’s your responsibly to choose what makes you happy. You don’t need to wait; you can decide to be happy, now.

5. Did I Do My Best to Build Positive Relationships Today?

Relationships need nurturing. Not only online, but in person. And when we’re in good company, we must be actively engaged.

Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”. Are you spending your time with the right people?

If not, reconsider your social circle. Brainstorm positive people in your life, in person or online, and contact them. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

6. Did I Do My Best to Be Fully Engaged Today?

To increase our level of engagement, we must ask ourselves if we’re doing our best to be engaged.

You’ll be more engaged at work and with your children/friends/spouse if you consciously try to be more engaged and count the right things.

Actively listening to your friend instead of checking your mobile phone, reading to your children without thinking about the email you haven’t replied to, asking your spouse how her day was instead of assuming, etc. These are the things we must concern ourselves with.

The Daily Questions In Practice

The Daily Questions are immensely useful for three reasons:

They help us identify what we really want, not what we think we want. They motivate us in areas where we need it, not where we don’t. They shrink our goals into manageable and achievable “chunks”.

I journal my answers every evening before bed, but you can combine yours with an existing habit like brushing your teeth or flossing.

They’re easy to do and take less than 30 seconds to answer—so make time for them. You’ll be amazed what you learn from your answers.

By asking The Daily Questions, we remind ourselves we’re not victims of circumstance after all: we are in control of our lives.