Welcome to Question-a-Day, the podcast that dives into the power of a single question. Each episode, we explore one thoughtfully crafted question designed to make you rethink your business, career, or life. With ChatGPT adding snarky insights and surprising answers, and John Clifford bringing genuine curiosity, we dissect questions that can spark transformation and lead to better decision-making.

How can I measure progress today, rather than just outcomes?

In this episode, we explore the difference between measuring progress and simply focusing on outcomes. So often, we become fixated on the end results—sales numbers, project completions, or personal milestones—and forget to acknowledge the incremental steps that lead us there. But real growth is rarely defined by a single event; it’s the day-to-day efforts, small wins, and lessons learned along the way that matter most.

We discuss practical ways to measure progress in the moment: setting daily intentions, tracking consistent habits, and celebrating the small victories that often go unnoticed. John Clifford shares personal insights on the importance of recognizing progress in real-time and how shifting focus from purely outcome-based goals can increase motivation and reduce burnout. Meanwhile, ChatGPT adds a fresh, occasionally irreverent take on why it’s crucial to reframe success beyond just the finish line.

We dive into specific techniques like journaling, habit tracking, and self-reflection that help make progress visible. The episode also touches on the power of leading indicators—those actions and habits that, when consistently practiced, naturally lead to the desired outcomes. Measuring progress this way is all about paying attention to what you can control: the actions you take today, the improvements you make, and the intentions you set.

For business leaders, we explore how teams can benefit from emphasizing progress over outcomes. It can shift the culture towards continuous improvement, foster a growth mindset, and make challenges feel more manageable. When progress is recognized, employees feel valued, more engaged, and are less likely to experience burnout. We share examples of how businesses can use progress-focused metrics to drive team morale and productivity without getting lost in the stress of end goals.

For individuals, we discuss how measuring progress can change your relationship with personal growth. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by how far you are from the ultimate goal, you get to appreciate the journey, understanding that every action you take today contributes to your future success. Celebrating incremental gains can also improve well-being, allowing you to find satisfaction in the present moment rather than constantly deferring it to a future point.

Join us in this episode as we answer the question: How can you measure progress today, and why does it matter? You’ll leave with actionable strategies to start recognizing your daily wins, shift your perspective on success, and enjoy the process of growth—in business, career, and life. It’s time to rethink what success looks like and how the right question can bring clarity to the steps you take today.

Whether you’re a business leader, an entrepreneur, or someone on a personal growth journey, this episode will help you see that progress isn’t just about reaching a destination—it’s about valuing every meaningful step you take to get there.

Subscribe today and start your journey, one question at a time.