The Power of Asking: One Simple Habit That Supercharged My Week

The Power of Asking: One Simple Habit That Supercharged My Week

Have you ever noticed that sometimes the smallest changes create the biggest impact?

This week, I made one small shift that gave me massive results: I committed to making one #ask before tackling any #task each day. It was such a simple concept, but the results were eye-opening. Let me walk you through what I did—and how you can start doing it too.

The #Ask Before the #Task: How It Changed My Week

Every day, before diving into my usual to-do list, I focused on one intentional ask. Here’s how it went:

  • Monday: I asked for a referral.

  • Tuesday: I sent an email to a stranger asking for their time.

  • Wednesday: I asked a question in front of a room full of high achievers, even though it seemed like a "low-hanging fruit" question.

  • Thursday: I requested to move a meeting time to one that suited me better.

  • Friday: I asked a team member if she wanted to take on more responsibility.

What did I learn? Each #ask made the next one easier. More than that, I realized that these small, daily requests created opportunities I might have missed otherwise.

Here’s what I want you to take away: Asking opens doors. Whether it’s asking for help, time, advice, or feedback—those little moments of bravery can lead to huge results.

So, what’s the one #ask you can make today? It doesn’t have to be big. Just start with something small and watch how things unfold.

Smart Productivity Isn’t Laziness: Using ChatGPT to Your Advantage

Earlier this week, my friend and mentee Phil Pallen posted something that hit home: "Using ChatGPT isn’t laziness—it’s smart productivity."

He’s absolutely right. As business owners, leaders, and creatives, we need every tool we can get to stay ahead, and ChatGPT is one of the most powerful tools out there. But here’s the thing: It’s not just about asking it random questions or getting quick answers. The real power comes when you create custom GPTs tailored to your exact needs.

Imagine having a digital assistant that knows your goals, your preferences, and can help you knock out tasks faster than ever. Sounds great, right?

Here’s how you can create your own custom GPT in 10 steps:

  1. Sign up for ChatGPT Plus.

  2. Define a role (e.g., social media manager, content strategist, or brainstorming partner).

  3. Access the GPT customization options in your settings.

  4. Outline the tasks you want your custom GPT to handle.

  5. Set its tone and personality—friendly, formal, direct, whatever fits your style.

  6. Name it—make it feel like part of your team!

  7. Test it out with a few specific prompts.

  8. Refine its responses by giving feedback and adjusting settings.

  9. Integrate it into your daily workflow.

  10. Create multiple GPTs for different areas of your business.

Using ChatGPT strategically isn’t just about saving time—it’s about freeing yourself up for higher-level thinking. So, how are you using AI to optimize your workday?

The Power of a 10,000-Foot View

I often refer to one of my biggest strengths as my “10,000-foot view.” It’s the ability to step back, remove emotion, and see the bigger picture—whether it’s in my business or helping others with theirs.

What does this look like in practice? It’s being able to identify long-term trends, recognize patterns, and help people map out a path to sustainable growth. It’s also a skill I’ve cultivated over time, and it’s allowed me to help businesses become more focused, profitable, and, ultimately, sellable.

But here’s the thing—you have a superpower too.

Maybe it’s not the ability to see things from 10,000 feet, but everyone has something they’re uniquely great at. If you haven’t figured out yours yet, here are five steps to help you start:

  1. Reflect on what comes naturally to you. What do you do effortlessly that others might struggle with?

  2. Listen to what people consistently ask you for help with. This can be a huge clue to where your strengths lie.

  3. Notice what activities make time fly by. What are you doing when you completely lose track of time?

  4. Consider how you approach problems. What’s your unique way of solving them?

  5. Experiment. Try different activities and projects, and pay attention to what feels right.

Finding your superpower is a process, but once you do, you’ll see just how much it can transform your life and business.

Celebrating This Week’s Wins

It’s important to take a step back and celebrate the wins—both big and small. Here are two that stood out to me this week:

  1. Ashton and Lincoln’s Homecoming Win
    This week, my sons Ashton and Lincoln had an amazing homecoming. They danced, hit Denny’s at 1 a.m., and came home smiling from ear to ear. In today’s world, where high school looks very different from what we experienced, it made me so happy to see them enjoying themselves. In a world of heads-down in phones, this connection and joy was a true win for me as a parent.

  2. Chrissy’s Networking Success
    My mentee Chrissy took a bold step this week. She went to a brand-new women’s networking event completely solo. Before the event, we worked on her power pitch and nailed down the steps she needed to take to make the most of it. She crushed it, made valuable connections, and already has follow-up meetings in place. Watching her take this step was a major highlight of my week!

Lifestyle Flex: Our Dream Home Is Happening

On the personal front, we’re moving forward with our dream home! In two weeks, we’ll be closing on our construction loan, and I just received the permit to ethically relocate our gopher tortoise neighbors to their new homes in Ocala National Forest. (Yes, really!)

The best part? I can already imagine waking up every morning with a view of the marsh from our bedroom windows. I’m excited about this next chapter, and I can’t wait to share more as we continue this journey.

What’s Your #Ask This Week?

Asking has the power to unlock so many doors. Whether you’re asking for help, advice, feedback, or opportunity, it’s the act of putting yourself out there that creates momentum.

So, what will your #ask be this week? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear what bold moves you’re making!

Here’s to making big asks, embracing smart productivity, and discovering the unique superpower that only you can bring to the world.

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