Your Daily Real Estate Podcast with Tristan Ahumada

Episode 757: 6 Questions I Ask Daily to Stay Sharp
Date: December 26, 2025
Host: Tristan Ahumada

Episode Overview

In this quick-hit solo episode, Tristan Ahumada explores the power of asking yourself daily questions to maintain focus, drive personal and professional growth, and stay aligned with your larger vision in real estate (and life). Drawing on lessons from 22 years in the industry and insights gleaned from top thinkers he interviews on his other show, "Brilliant," Tristan shares the six core questions he uses to keep himself sharp as a leader, agent, and human being. Designed to be immediately actionable, these prompts are meant to cut through the noise and foster continual improvement for real estate professionals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Value of Self-Questioning

• Tristan emphasizes that regularly asking better questions helps individuals discover themselves, improve self-leadership, and show up stronger for others.

  “As I think about these questions and I answer them, I discover myself better and I can lead myself to where I want to get to.” — Tristan (00:12)

• He mentions drawing inspiration from brilliant authors and thought leaders, always listening for the questions they use to guide themselves.

The 6 Daily Questions Breakdown

1. What truly matters most today?

“Before we react into tasks or messages, identify the one or two actions that move your business and life forward. Everything else is noise.” — Tristan (01:13)

• Ask this in the morning to clarify top priorities before getting swept up by the day.
• Breaks priorities into self (“What truly matters, Tristan? Is it your emotions today? … Should you be learning a lot more?”), family (“Connect with my children… my wife, spouse, whatever it is…”), and business.
• Tristan’s framework: self → family → business.

2. Who needs my best energy right now?

“Who needs your best energy right now? Think about your team, your clients, your family, yourself, where your presence makes the biggest difference today.” — Tristan (02:34)

• Intentionally identify people (team, clients, family, even yourself) who would benefit most from your focused, positive presence.
• Leadership failure often stems from not showing up or guiding others proactively.

3. Am I leading with clarity or with chaos?

“I ask myself this question often because I’m always scared, like, am I all over the place? Am I clear about my messaging to all the different people that I’m connected with…?” — Tristan (03:15)

• Before important meetings or decisions, gauge if you’re communicating clearly or just scrambling.
• Tip: If you feel rushed or unclear, pause and reset before leading others.

4. What did I avoid yesterday that I should face today?

“What am I avoiding daily that I should have already done?" — Tristan (03:47)

• Use this at end of the day to identify avoided tasks, and make small, consistent progress facing them.
• Confronting avoidance is key to forward momentum.

5. What can I do to protect my peace and health?

“Sometimes it’s a short walk, sometimes it’s a quiet lunch… sometimes it’s having that conversation with that person that you’ve been avoiding." — Tristan (04:14)

• Prioritize self-care and emotional well-being, not just activity.
• Be intentional about breaks, boundaries, and difficult conversations.

6. Am I still moving toward my vision or just staying busy?

“Every day should connect back to your larger mission. If it doesn’t, you’re likely drifting, not leading.” — Tristan (04:47)

• Differentiate between productive work and mere busyness.
• Reflect: Are today’s activities aligned with your big goals, or are you just filling time?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On learning from other leaders:

  “Some of them are Stanford professors and Harvard professors, some of them are bestselling authors, speechwriters for the president… I’m always listening to the questions that they ask themselves and I’m always paying attention.” — Tristan (00:27)

• On taking inspiration from peers:

  “Along the same lines as those six questions… I think it was Margaret Andrews from that book that she wrote from that class she teaches in Harvard. It was a podcast we did like two weeks ago—Leading Yourself." — Tristan (05:38)

• On tracking your real focus:

  “There are times when I find myself just staying busy. And the more I track things, I realize, ooh, I was just staying busy. I was just wasting time there…" — Tristan (05:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:12 – The Importance of Asking Daily Questions
• 01:13 – Q1: What truly matters most today? (Self, Family, Business)
• 02:34 – Q2: Who needs my best energy right now?
• 03:15 – Q3: Am I leading with clarity or with chaos?
• 03:47 – Q4: What did I avoid yesterday that I should face today?
• 04:14 – Q5: What can I do to protect my peace and health?
• 04:47 – Q6: Am I still moving toward my vision or just staying busy?
• 05:38 – Reference to “Leading Yourself” and Margaret Andrews

Final Thoughts

Tristan reiterates how these six questions are central to sustaining both business growth and personal fulfillment in real estate. He encourages listeners to reflect on these prompts, tailor them to their own lives, and reach out if they'd like a list of the questions.

“These are the six questions. I would love for you to answer them on your own. It’ll give you a lot more clarity.” — Tristan (05:27)

For a copy of the six questions, Tristan invites listeners to contact him via Instagram.