Shake Shack founder shares the ‘one question’ people should ask themselves daily for a happier life
In a world often overshadowed by negativity, Danny Meyer, the founder of Shake Shack, offers a simple yet profound question to shift our daily perspective: 'What could possibly go right today?' This question, as discussed in a conversation with journalist Katie Couric, encourages optimism, a mindset linked to happier and potentially longer lives, as supported by studies cited from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The idea isn't to ignore life's challenges, but to consciously choose a lens of possibility and hope, acknowledging that while our biochemical wiring might predispose us to certain outlooks, we can still steer our focus toward positivity.
Meyer's approach is not just a personal philosophy; it’s a call for a broader cultural shift, especially in an age where social media amplifies negativity. His suggestion is simple but impactful: starting each day with an open-minded inquiry into potential positives can incrementally train the brain to notice and nurture optimism. This practice, though not a cure-all, offers a pragmatic method for cultivating a mindset that could enhance overall well-being and longevity.
Constructive analysis
The constructive-journalism lens: not just what happened, but what works.
- The problem
- The pervasive negativity fueled by social media and societal challenges.
- The actions
- Danny Meyer and Katie Couric advocate for starting each day with a mindset of optimism by asking what could go right.
- Evidence of progress
- Scientific studies show that optimism can prolong life, with optimistic women living, on average, 5.4% longer.
- What we can learn
- Others can replicate this by incorporating daily optimistic inquiries into their routines to gradually foster a more positive outlook.
PERMA profile of this story
How this story scores across the PERMA dimensions.
- Positive Emotion
- 8
- Engagement
- 7
- Relationships
- 6
- Meaning
- 8
- Accomplishment
- 5
Character strengths in play
Top VIA strengths this story embodies.
Hope
If everyone only did one thing, and they started their day…by asking, ‘What could possibly go right today?’ I really think the odds are greater that something might [go right].
Perspective
Optimists and pessimists die the same way. They just live differently.
Curiosity
The question itself doesn’t matter as much as the potential for the glass to fill up.
Try this today
Tomorrow morning, as you start your day, pause and ask yourself, 'What could possibly go right today?' Note any small positive events or possibilities that come to mind, and see how this influences your mood and interactions throughout the day.