A simple word swap can make you more successful on a daily basis

By Shana Lebowitz

In her new book, “Insight,” the psychologist Tasha Eurich argues that the more accurately you see yourself, the more successful you’ll be.

To that end, she offers a bunch of strategies for getting to know yourself better, each one characterised by extreme efficiency and a focus on problem-solving over rumination.

One such strategy is the somewhat counter-intuitive “What Not Why” tool. When you’re facing a difficult situation, or you’ve screwed up in some capacity, Eurich writes, ask yourself “what” questions instead of “why” questions.

When she visited the Business Insider office in May, Eurich shared an example of a situation where this tool would work: You’ve just given a horrible client presentation.

Here’s Eurich:

“You might ask yourself, if you’re a well-intentioned, successful person, ‘Why did I go so wrong in that meeting?’ or, ‘Why did I mess that up?