16 Daily Choices That Can Help You Thrive NOW!

I love being asked questions that make me think deeply about myself. So I was thrilled when in a recent podcast interview the host said, “What are three choices you make each day that have contributed to your success?” The hard part was limiting it to three.

I thought about exercise, my morning quiet time, my daily walk with my wife, and even my choice to do intermittent fasting. Then there’s choices like only checking email 3-4 times per day, blocking out time for deep work, and reading for at least 15 minutes. Then I thought more altruistically, so choosing to be grateful and choosing to be okay with failure came to mind.

Since that interview I’ve been asking a modified version of that question to other people. It’s “What are 2-3 choices you make every day that help you to thrive?” Some people can immediately share their choices while others have to stop and think for a long time. And some keep it really simple with answers like, “Brush my teeth” (which we all appreciate) or “Get out of bed.” 😉

As I continue to ruminate on my own choices, I’m realizing that I need to be more intentional about asking myself what choices I need to make based on my current season of life, my work projects, or my own personal needs. For example, if you had asked me last week what three choices I needed to make to thrive they would have included:

• Choose to be disciplined

• Choose to be patient

• Choose to be uncomfortable

And when I think even more about it, I ought to be asking myself what choices I need to make on a daily basis so that I can best address my current circumstances, opportunities, or challenges.

What about you? If you want to achieve greater success at work, improve the quality of relationships in your life, or make your own needs a higher priority right now, what do you need to choose to do differently? Or if you simply want to put your head down on your pillow tonight and have a sense of peace about what you accomplished today, what do you need to choose to do between now and then? While there’s not enough time for me to write all the possibilities, I’m betting that choosing a few of the ones below could help you achieve more of your desired outcomes.

Choose gratitude. My days are always more fulfilling and productive when I start with an abundance mentality.

Choose to use your discretionary time wisely. In six years of coaching and casual conversation with others I am yet to find anyone who doesn’t waste some amount of time each day.

Choose your priorities. You may not have full control over your day, but what are 1-2 priorities that you could choose to act on that would move you or your work forward in a meaningful way?

Choose to focus. It’s a scary choice to be sure. Not because you can’t do it, but because you have to get clear about your priorities and create something.

Choose to be stretched. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be curious.

Choose imperfection. Think of all the mental energy you would free up if you were simply done with it.

Choose to celebrate your accomplishments. Don’t wait on a boss, coworker, or family to notice them.

Choose to grow. What do you need to learn or simply understand to thrive at work in a year?

Choose to be quiet. Ask better questions… and really listen to the answers.

Choose to delegate. What could be possible if you weren’t holding on to so much?

Choose to rest. Your highest obligation is to be your best for others. That can only happen when you are rested.

Choose to laugh. Make it a priority to read, watch, or listen to something every day that make you laugh out loud.

Choose to quit something. You’ve been on the fence way too long about it, right?

Choose to reflect. It might be while driving home from work or when brushing your teeth. Have a planned time that you think about the wins in your day, what you learned, and what you don’t want to forget.

Choose to surround yourself with positive people. Whether that naturally happens at work or you have to seek them out, don’t let yourself be limited by a lack of people who can encourage and support you.

Choose to do something for someone else. If nothing else happens in your day, someone somewhere is smiling because of you. That’s just cool.

The real work comes after you make the choice. I guess I should have added two one… choose to do the work and choose to own the outcome.

What choices can you start making to help you thrive in your current season of life?