You know what’s more exhausting than having too much to do?

It’s the cognitive burnout that comes from having too many tabs open in your brain.

As managers and leaders, you’re carrying more than most. Every direct report, every “Can I run this by you?”, every unresolved conversation becomes another open tab. Over time, those tabs quietly drain your clarity, your focus, and your capacity to think strategically about what matters most.

In today’s always-on world, communication is nonstop. New tabs open constantly, while old ones rarely get closed. No wonder so many managers feel overwhelmed, scattered, and mentally fatigued.

But what if one small shift could help close a few of those tabs?

The Question to Start Asking Daily

Start asking this question. Often.

“What’s your next best step?”

Or it may sound like:

“What’s one action you could take?“

Or even:

“What’s in your control that could help here?”

That’s it.

Coaching is becoming a critical leadership skill, not because managers need more to do, but because the demands are too high not to help people think and act more independently.

Without getting into my favorite simple coaching method (I’ll save that for another post), this question alone is a powerful place to start.

Why This Question Works

Routinely asking “What is your next best step?”:

• Reduces the mental load of carrying everyone else’s problems
• Decreases unnecessary follow-up conversations
• Encourages ownership and accountability
• Builds more confident, self-directed team members
• Creates teams that don’t rely on you for every answer

Instead of absorbing the problem, you’re helping someone move it forward.

bonus: This Works Outside of Work, Too

This question isn’t just for managers and teams.

It also works in everyday relationships. Especially with friends or family members who unintentionally take up a lot of mental space.

We all have people in our lives who come to us repeatedly with the same complaint, the same frustration, the same story… without ever moving toward change. Over time, those conversations become another open tab in your brain. You care, but the loop is exhausting.

Put It Into Practice

This week, try using this question daily.

• Ask it in quick check-ins
• Ask it when a team member brings you a problem
• Ask it when a friend is venting about the SAME repeat issue

And if you don’t get the chance to ask it of someone else, ask it of yourself the next time you feel overwhelmed.

You don’t need to solve everything at once.

You just need to identify the next best step, and close a few mental tabs along the way.