Before Breakfast Instead of what's new
Oct 3, 2025
Discover the power of asking better questions to gather useful information. Instead of simply inquiring what's new, learn to ask what's coming up that you should know about for actionable insights. This technique can enhance professional pitches and keep personal responsibilities in check. Even seemingly non-actionable updates can provide value, enriching your understanding of those around you. Tune in to transform your approach to communication at work and home!
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Ask What’s Coming Up
- Ask people "What are you working on next that I should know about?" instead of "What's new?" to get useful, actionable information.
- Use this question with editors, bosses, spouses, or roommates to learn about upcoming events or projects that will affect you.
Editor Turned Freelancer Example
- Diana Kelly Levy used this question as a magazine editor and now uses it as a freelance writer to hear about future topics.
- This helped her identify feature packages and know exactly what to pitch to editors.
Why Focused Questions Work Better
- "What's new?" often yields vague or unhelpful answers like "not much," which stalls conversation and planning.
- A focused question surfaces information that is more likely to be actionable or relevant to you.