I often ask people this question, and I never define what I mean by the word “value.” I enjoy hearing the range of responses as the person quickly reviews in their head the times in the day where they added value.
No matter what you do each day, where you work, whether you’re paid for the work you do, whether you interact with lots of people, or toil in solitude. The question matters.
Did you add value today?
Did you improve something? Did you add a new idea to the world? Did you help someone else today? Did you listen? Did you motivate? Did you share? Did you forgive?
If you manage people, did you help your direct reports add value today? Did you congratulate them on the value they added?
Did you add value today?
A simple question. It’s most powerful when you ask yourself this question a couple of times a day.
Photo by Nathan Lemon on Unsplash
Encouragement is Personal 