The Job Search Journal Questions: Morning Routine

When I set out to create The Daily Lift (fka The Job Search Journal), I wasn’t just looking to fill pages with feel-good prompts. I was designing a system - a daily practice that would help you stay grounded, motivated, and clear-headed even on the toughest days.

I tested and explored hundreds of questions and journaling techniques before selecting these five prompts for your morning routine. They’re designed to help you start your day with clarity, direction, and resilience - the things that make a difference when you’re navigating the ups and downs of job searching.

1. Something I earned or was given

Your attention is one of your most precious resources - it’s limited, just like your time. Luckily, as a human, you get to decide what we focus on. If you focus on positive things, you’ll cary that positivity with you throughout your day.

The challenge is that job searching can bring up a swirl of heavy emotions (self-doubt, fear, rejection, comparison). And no, your age, title, or years of experience don’t make you immune. These feelings are normal but they are distracting.

Expressing gratitude is a simple way to bring your attention to positive things in your life. Gratitude has been shown to increase happiness, boost optimism, and even improve physical health (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).

This prompt invites you to start the day by anchoring in something good. Something you earned or were given. That might be a compliment from a former colleague, a helpful lead from a friend, or the sheer fact that you got yourself out of bed to try again today.

By starting your day with gratitude, you’re starting from strength.

2. Something from yesterday that made me smile

Have you ever met someone who seems to bounce back from setbacks like they’re made of rubber? Maybe they’ve been ghosted by three companies in a row and still show up hopeful. You might think, “Well, they’re just built that way.”

But resilience isn’t a personality trait. It’s a skill. And like any skill, it gets stronger the more you practice it.

A 2004 study by Tugade & Fredrickson found that resilient people use positive emotions to rebound from stressful events. By recalling positive experiences you can reduce stress, lower cortisol, and boost your mood.

3. I could have made yesterday better by…

We often save reflection for “big” moments like at the end of a project or at the end of the week. But by then, the small lessons from day-to-day moments are long gone.

This question helps you catch them in real time. It’s like making a mid-hike course correction instead of waiting until you’re lost to pull out a map.

And the changes don’t have to be big. Maybe you realized you’re more focused when your phone’s in the other room. Or that your energy dips after back-to-back calls. These micro-adjustments create massive impact over time.

Reflecting daily, without judgment, builds self-awareness and adaptability, two cornerstones of a growth mindset.

4. I will set myself up for success today by…

You know the saying “80% of success is showing up”? Let’s update that to “80% of success is HOW you show up”.

This question invites you to pause and decide: How do you want to show up today?

Focused? Curious? Open-minded? Determined?

A 1999 study by Gollwitzer shows that setting intentions helps you prepare for the day by activating goal-oriented behavior and help you follow through more effectively.

By deciding how you want to show up, you aren't leaving your success to chance.

5. If I could complete 2–3 things today, I would…

There’s always more to do than time to do it. But not all tasks move you forward equally.

This prompt helps you cut through the noise and identify the right things - small, doable actions that align with your bigger goals.

Setting clear, specific goals improves focus, motivation, and performance (Locke & Latham, 2002). It’s how you get intentional instead of just being busy.

Think of it like setting your GPS for the day. You wouldn’t start a road trip without knowing your next turn. This is your way of saying: Here’s where I’m going today - and here’s what will make it feel like a win.