Do you suffer from interacting with people and not knowing what to ask them, so you resort to the generic, “How was your week?” question?

Is this oddly specific, and speaking to a personal pain point?

First, let’s understand the problem.

Our default questions are very general, like “How was your week?”.  A lot happens in a week – do you want me to give you a detailed breakdown or a very high-level overview?

9/10 times when you ask this question you’re going to get “Good” as your answer. 

To remedy this problem below you’ll find a running list of questions that can be used to replace the generic ask of “How was your week?”: 

• What was something you read or heard this week that changed a perspective you have?

• Have you eaten at any great restaurants lately?

• Perfect transition to a personal favorite question of mine: What weird food combinations do you really enjoy?

• What did you spend the majority of your day doing?

• Is that the same thing you’d like to spend more or less time doing?

• What’s something you would like to spend more time doing today?

• Will you remember any specific part of today a year from now? Five years?

• How can I make your day easier in five minutes?

• If you won $500 and had to spend it on yourself today, what would you buy?

• What did you do to take care of yourself today?

• What made you laugh today?

• Did you see anything beautiful where you didn’t expect to?

• What’s one word you’d use to describe today?

• Did anything surprise you today?

• What are you most excited about right now?

• What is something you know you do differently than most people?

• What are you (un)secretly good at?

• Is there something you need help with at this moment?

• How do you contribute to a better society?

• What are the 3 most important aspects to support your lifestyle?

• What always makes you smile?

• What are 3 words that describe you best?

• What cheers you up?

• What is one life lesson that you think everyone should know?

• What’s your biggest fear that you’ve overcome?

• What was the most dangerous situation you’ve been in?

• What’s the most unbelievable thing that’s ever happened to you?

• What’s the nicest compliment you’ve ever received? From who?

• What talent do you wish you’d have?

• How do you feel about taking risk?

• What’s your most (un)healthy habit?

• What’s your favorite word?

Here’s to more fruitful conversations! 

And if you enjoyed this, you’ll likely enjoy Questions Good Friends Ask.