Three years ago, I almost hired a productivity coach.
The price?
$10,000 for 12 weeks.
Not because I was lazy.
Not because I lacked motivation.
I was drowning in decisions.
Every morning started the same way:
Too many tasks. Too little clarity. A brain already tired before the day even began.
Then something unexpected happened.
Instead of hiring the coach, I asked a better question:
“What decisions would a great coach force me to answer every day?”
That question changed everything.
I turned those decisions into five simple prompts.
No meetings. No accountability calls. No pressure.
Just answers.
Today, these prompts run my work, my schedule, and my energy—every single week.
Here they are.
Prompt #1: The Clarity Prompt (Kills Mental Noise)
“If I could only complete ONE thing today that would make the day a win, what would it be—and why?”
Most people work hard on the wrong things.
This prompt forces priority. Not urgency. Impact.
Answer it honestly, and your day instantly has direction.
Prompt #2: The Time Truth Prompt (Exposes Reality)
“What am I underestimating about today—time, energy, or difficulty?”
Productivity coaches don’t plan optimistically.
They plan realistically.
This prompt prevents overbooking your future self—and burning out by noon.
Prompt #3: The Elimination Prompt (Creates Space)
“What can I delete, delegate, or delay without real consequences?”
Productivity isn’t about doing more.
It’s about removing what doesn’t matter.
Every high performer I studied mastered this skill.
This prompt trains it daily.
Prompt #4: The Focus Lock Prompt (Protects Deep Work)
“What will I say NO to today so my best work actually gets done?”
Distractions don’t disappear.
They must be rejected intentionally.
This prompt builds boundaries before chaos begins.
Prompt #5: The Review Prompt (Compounds Growth)
At the end of the day, ask:
“What worked today, what didn’t, and what one adjustment will I make tomorrow?”
This is where progress compounds.
Tiny daily corrections beat massive motivation bursts.
Why These Prompts Work
A $10,000 coach doesn’t magically make you productive.
They:
Ask hard questions
Force clarity
Prevent self-deception
Prompts do the same—without the price tag.
The difference between busy people and effective people isn’t effort.
It’s better questions.
Final Thought
If your days feel full but unfulfilling, don’t look for a new app.
Look for a better prompt.
Because when the question changes,
everything else follows.