Dietitian’s Secret Mindset Hack to Transform Your Health & Reach Your Full Potential at Work
Most busy professionals know what to do to be healthier- walk, eat more veggies, skip dessert- so why don't we actually do it?
Okay I’ll admit it- I’m a Tony Robbins fan girl. I have been since I was in college, and I drank the Kool Aid when I attended one of his live events in 2019. The influence Tony and his #1 best selling books have had on me is huge, and I use a lot of his teachings in my work as a registered dietitian and nutrition speaker.
One of the habits that has drastically improved my health, habits, and even career is really quite simple: ask myself better questions.
Sound too easy? That’s because it is! I am going to show you how.
“Quality questions create a quality life. Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.”
25 year old me at a 2019 Tony Robbins event. We walked on hot coals & yes, it was AWESOME.
Why Your Questions Matter More Than You Think
Your brain is an obedient little organ, so it will look for answers to the questions you ask it. If you think to yourself, why am I so tired? your brain will happily retrieve all of the reasons you’re exhausted like a dog bringing you the dead squirrel from outside.
I stayed up too late watching the finale of The Pitt.
I’m in my luteal phase.
It’s the weather, I’m always tired when it rains.
These answers are LAME. They don’t inspire any change, action, or decision-making. They make you want to doom scoll in bed, making you feel like crap while holding you back from your potential.
Instead of asking negative questions, I recommend my clients and audiences ask themselves empowering questions. Who cares if you’re tired? Ask yourself: What can I do to feel energized?
See how this question is motivating and offers possibilities? You can move your body, walk outside, or eat a balanced snack to keep you going. Heck, even drinking a matcha latte can give you the energy to hit the gym or crush a presentation at work.
Asking better questions fosters a positive and adaptive mindset. Not only is this crucial for physical and mental well-being, it significantly impacts work performance. Individuals with a growth mindset tend to be more resilient, adaptable, and persistent in the face of adversity, leading to improved health outcomes and career advancement.
Common Questions That Keep You Stuck
Playing the blame game never helps anyone foster a growth mindset. Examples of disempowering questions I hear busy professionals often ask are:
"Why don’t I have more willpower or discipline?"
"Why do I look after everyone else but not myself?"
"Why can't I stick to anything?"
“Why am I so fat?”
Remember, your brain will answer any question you ask it! These questions reinforce bad habits and feelings of failure.
How to Ask Better Questions for Better Health
Asking better questions starts with simple shifts.
Beginning any question with why is usually a bad idea. I picture a spouse nagging his wife- Why don’t you clean more? Why don’t you get dressed up like you did when we were dating? Why why why…
Annoying right? None of those questions would make me want to make meaningful change. They either make me feel ashamed or angry because they make me think of problems.
If you catch yourself beginning your inner dialogue with the word why, redirect! Think of a Power Question- a question that inspires a solution, not a problem.
"What’s one small thing I can do today to support my health?"
“Which breakfasts help me stay fueled and focused?”
"How can I make taking care of myself easier and more enjoyable, even with a busy schedule?"
"What habit would my healthiest, most successful self prioritize today?"
Notice how power questions are open-ended. Yes or no questions rarely inspire change.
Want to inspire lasting wellness at your workplace? I teach busy professionals how to unlock better habits, energy, and success- starting with the right questions. Book me to speak to your organization!
Real-Life Examples
Last month, I had a call with a high-achieving client named Johanne who has been stuck with her health and weight loss goals.
“Why can’t I just get it together?” Johanne told me, nearly in tears. “I know how to eat healthy, but I can’t stick to a diet or meal plan. What’s wrong with me?”
“Nothing,” I said matter of factly. “You’re not the problem, and there is nothing wrong with you. But- there is something wrong with your approach. You’re simply not asking the right questions to figure out what the actual problems are.”
For Johanne, we came up with better questions help her take action towards her health. She wanted to live in accordance to her values, not her mood. Since she valued health and success, here’s what we came up with:
What can I do less of so I have more energy to meal plan and cook?
Who in my life inspires me, and how I can live more like they do?”
How can I make more time for exercise?
Her answers? She wanted to spend less time getting drinks with people she didn’t really like because they drained her mental and emotional energy. She also wanted to spend less time on her phone because it distracted her from taking action,
Johanne told me she was inspired by a colleague who lived a very balanced life. She noticed this woman brought her own healthy lunches to work and carried a 64 ounce water bottle. Knowing she could do the same, Johanne committed to meal planning a simple lunch and ordered a Stanley cup off Amazon.
She also realized could leverage the 10-15 minute windows she had between consulting calls and Zoom meetings for walks and stretch breaks.
Within 20 minutes, Johanne had clear goals to help her feel her best! And as a result, she had more confidence, energy, and mental clarity at work.
Questions I am Asking Myself to Reach My Highest Potential
As an ambitious working mom who values her health, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. I ask myself things like, Why don’t I have enough time?” and “Why do I feel like such a bad mom?”
These questions leave me feeling stuck, and only reaffirm what I already know: I am stretched too thin.
If I want to be the most transformational wellness dietitian and speaker while having the energy to be a loving wife and mom, I need to ask myself solution-oriented questions.
What do I have to say no to so I have more time to devote to clients and my family?
Where can I make time for more movement, nourishment, and rest?
How can I be more present in work, home, and everything in between?
Wow! I get so much more clarity with these questions. I know exactly what I need to do less of, and how I can devote time to the projects and people who set my soul on FIRE!
Ready to Help Your Team Ask Better Questions — and Get Better Results?
The questions we ask shape the habits we build, the energy we bring, and the success we create. If your organization is ready to unlock healthier habits, boost performance, and lead with purpose, let's make it happen.
I deliver engaging, actionable workshops and breakout sessions that help busy professionals and leaders reframe their thinking, prioritize self-care, and create lasting results—starting with the power of better questions.
Book me to speak to your organization inspire real change and transform your teams health. Contact me to get started!
