The Six Questions That Define an Uncommon Day

September 26, 2025

“The greatest tragedy in life is not what perishes, but what is never born.” – Coach John Gallagher

Happy Friday, Brew Nation!

I was recently blessed to attend the annual meeting for The Fellowship of Companies for Christ International (FCCI) in Sarasota, Florida. To make the experience even more special, my wife of 31-plus years, Chris, was able to join me. She rarely gets to travel with me, so that made a great experience even better.

As I reflected on our time there, I found myself going back to three simple questions that a speaker at a past conference once talked about: What makes me laugh? What makes me cry? What do I dream about?

These aren’t just questions for a commencement speech; they’re triggers for a life review. I found that I was laughing with wonderful leaders like Daniel Harkavy, CEO of Building Champions. I was inspired and brought to tears (good tears!) by the worship led by the Dove Award-winning band Tenth Avenue North, and I was dreaming about what’s next for Growing Champions. I found myself dreaming about hosting an event like this one that could have so much impact, or emceeing an event like this from the stage, or sharing my faith journey as powerfully as Tyler Vinyard, pastor at church of the Highlands, who shared a devotion with us each morning.

But as I looked back, I thought, why should an experience like this be a rare event? Why can’t the reflections of a great conference be the reality of a great day, every day?

The Problem with the “How Was Your Day?” Question

How many times have you asked or been asked, “How was your day?”

The question is so common it’s almost meaningless. We usually answer with a canned response like “fine,” “good,” or “busy.” But that kind of answer leaves no room for genuine reflection or growth. It lets us off the hook.

I’ve learned that a great day isn’t about what happens to you; it’s about what you do. It’s about being intentional with your time, your energy, and your influence.

As I reflected on the lessons from the FCCI conference and the three questions that stirred my soul, I was led to develop my own “Uncommon Day Assessment.” It’s a set of six questions—three for yourself and three for those you lead—that can transform your daily “fine” into a genuine “great.”

The Uncommon Day Assessment: Six Questions for Leaders

The first three questions are about your personal growth:

Was I Inspired? Did you find yourself inspired by a conversation, a podcast, or a book? Did you take a moment to be in awe of a mentor, an idea, or a moment of beauty? Inspiration fills our well so we have something to draw from.
Was I Encouraged? Did you have a conversation that filled you with hope or gave you the courage to keep going? This is a reminder that we all need community and support to sustain us.
Was I Equipped? Did you learn something new? Did a challenge teach you a lesson? Did a moment of humility give you a new tool for your leadership toolbox? Learning is the fuel for our future.

The next three questions are about your leadership impact:

Did I Inspire someone? Did you share a story, a vision, or an idea that helped someone see a new possibility? Your words and your actions have the power to light a fire in others.
Did I Encourage someone? Did you offer a word of affirmation or support that helped someone believe in themselves? A little encouragement goes a long way.
Did I Equip someone? Did you share a piece of wisdom, a tool, or a resource that made someone else more effective? Your job as a leader is to grow more leaders.

These six questions serve as a daily assessment. They give you a real, tangible way to evaluate your day. The three personal questions (Inspire, Encourage, Equip) are about filling your own cup. The three leadership questions (Inspire, Encourage, Equip) are about pouring that cup into others. The most impactful days are the ones where you can answer “yes” to all six.

Inspired by Biblical Champions

The principles of inspiring, encouraging, and equipping are as old as the scriptures themselves.

Daniel, the Man of Discipline. In the Old Testament, Daniel demonstrated a daily, disciplined commitment to his faith (Daniel 6:10). His consistent prayers and unwavering integrity inspired a king and saved his life. Daniel reminds us that daily faithfulness in the small things equips us for the big challenges.
Barnabas, the Encourager. His name means “Son of Encouragement” for a reason (Acts 4:36). He was known for his generous spirit and for consistently encouraging others, most notably when he vouched for Paul to the other apostles and later took John Mark under his wing. Barnabas reminds us that true leadership is often quiet and behind the scenes.
Paul’s entire ministry was centered on raising up and equipping the next generation of leaders. He didn’t just preach to crowds; he poured his life into a few key individuals, most notably Timothy and Titus. He was a mentor who gave his mentees not just knowledge, but practical tools, strategies, and even an entire theology for leadership.

His letters, especially 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, are essentially leadership manuals. In them, he is constantly equipping these young leaders for the challenges they will face. Paul’s goal was not to make himself indispensable, but to make himself obsolete by empowering others to carry on the mission.

A great verse that sums this up is 2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” This is the ultimate call to equip—to pass on what you know so that the work can multiply.

These are not just abstract ideas; they are timeless principles lived out by champions of faith. Just as “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17), we are called to be a source of inspiration, encouragement, and to equip one another for the good work we’ve been called to.

Quote of the Week

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
— John C. Maxwell

Being effective as a leader means consistently choosing discipline over distraction. It’s about deeply reflecting on what’s working, humbly learning from what hasn’t, and courageously course-correcting in relentless pursuit of uncommon growth. Leaders don’t just drift into success—they evaluate, decide, and act. At Growing Champions, we equip leaders with the precise tools and vision to do just that—because real leadership is about consistent, deliberate alignment between your values, your habits, and your desired outcomes.

What’s a leadership lesson you’ve learned in an unexpected place?

Email me at coachjohngallagher@gmail.com with the subject line “DAY” and share your story. I’m excited to read all your messages!

What you need to do:

Your Call to Action: Take the Uncommon Challenge

The biggest barrier to growth is the one we allow ourselves to build. It’s time to take ownership of your personal and professional development by moving past “fine” and striving for “great.”

Do you want to become a Champion of uncommon days? Are you ready to stop settling and start living with a purpose? This week, challenge yourself to ask these six questions at the end of each day. Write them down and be honest with your answers.

You’ve got the time. You’ve got the tools. Now it’s time to make this year your most intentional, inspiring, and uncommon year yet.

It’s an honor to be your trusted Friday Coffee Guy. Each week, I bring what I’m learning and living in the trenches of leadership. If this edition challenged or encouraged you, share it with someone who leads, stays faithful, or learns alongside you, then click subscribe. Let’s grow Brew Nation together!