To Become Happier, Ask Yourself These Two Questions Every Night

The one-minute exercise can make a profound difference

Alexander M. Combstrong
Forge

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Asian woman writing a note while looking at her laptop with a smile.
Photo: skaman306/Getty Images

We often think the key to a happier life is to make big, sweeping changes to the one we’re currently living. But focusing only on grand moves — changing our careers or overhauling our personalities, for example — often just leaves us feeling overwhelmed. A better strategy is to make incremental improvements. Over time, small tweaks can lead to a profound difference.

Through solution-based therapy, I learned about a pair of questions that can help you identify exactly what you need to do to move forward each day. I’ve been asking myself these questions every night, right before bed — research shows that our brains can make creative connections while we sleep — and I’ve noticed an incredible difference in my mood and outlook. Try them yourself:

On a scale of 1–10, how happy are you with your life today?

Don’t dwell on the question too much. You don’t need to provide a list of reasons why — just give a number based on your gut feeling.

If your answer is 10, congratulations. There’s no need for you to be here.

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