Plenty of people in the workforce do “something.” Not as many, however, do what actually needs to be done.

Success depends on being among the few that others can count on to get the job done right—and that requires thinking. Ask yourself these questions to think your way to success:

What if this isn’t what my customer needs? What if you’re trying to force it, but it’s just not working? Most of us tend to push forward as fast as we can to come up with a solution. The goal is not to come up with any answer—it’s to come up with the right one. Slow down.

What if I put it aside and revisited it tomorrow? You need to write a letter, memo or article, but the clock is ticking and you can’t get started. You hate the assignment, your boss, yourself or all of the above. You tell yourself to keep a low profile so it won’t happen again. Don’t wrestle the task to the mat. Doing your best work requires “noodling”—putting it aside and letting your brain work on it for a day or so.

What if I asked them for their thoughts and ideas? At the heart of marketing and sales is problem solving and a “bring it on” attitude—but that can be a problem when it blocks other perspectives. Asking what others think is an effective way to test your idea or confirm the appropriateness of your solution.

What if I offered several options instead of just one? This may seem dangerous, but it’s sometimes more effective than putting people in a “yes or no” position. Offering several options creates a new dynamic where there’s room for give and take.

What if I don’t have all the information I need to make the right recommendation? We all make snap judgments—on-the-fly conclusions that get things moving, often incorrectly. Taking time to figure out what you’re missing separates you from those who are satisfied with just getting by.

What if I tried something new? It’s easy to get used to doing things a certain way and tune out anything that forces you to break existing patterns. But if what you do today is a constant replay of the past, you contribute little or nothing to help meet the challenges affecting your customers, industry and agency.

What if I became a go-to person? Staying under the radar helps you avoid getting noticed and reduces your stress. It’s also a good way to be passed over or be added to the “no longer essential” list. Get noticed for your innovative ideas and specialized expertise.

What if I asked more questions? It’s irritating if someone asks too many questions in a meeting. But not asking questions is a bigger mistake. Questions clarify issues, uncover valuable information, fill in the gaps and help prevent mistakes.

What if I came up with an idea that helped make my company more competitive? It goes without saying that most of us are willing, even eager, to invest time and thought into figuring out ways to make ourselves look good, get attention and advance our careers. But for some, that’s not enough. While they may work to advance themselves, they are also committed to finding ways to advance their employer. Ultimate success depends on both.

John Graham of GrahamComm is a marketing and sales strategy consultant and business writer.