12 Ways to Make Today a Great Day
Begin the day by choosing to make it a great day. Don’t expect others to make your day great.
12 ways to make today a great day:
1. Pause, breathe, and focus.
Before you rush to the next thing take a moment to think about what you’re doing. Determine why it matters.
2. Eat healthy snacks.
3. Turn off notifications.
Help yourself focus. Find a short window of time and eliminate distractions.
4. Keep a done-list.
Record the stuff you got done the last hour. If you don’t have enough time to keep a done-list, arrange tomorrow’s schedule so you can.
Alternative: Make a to-do list for the morning. Put a checkmark beside the items you complete.
5. Choose one thing.
Write down one thing you want to complete before the day is done (beyond day-to-day responsibilities).
6. Go home on time.
If you had a funeral to attend, you’d quit on time. The world won’t stop if you leave work on time. If you can’t leave work on time today, figure out how to leave work on time tomorrow.
7. Begin interactions with compliments.
Set a tone. Don’t save kind words till the end.
8. Finish something in 30 minutes.
Set a timer and work like crazy to get something done in a short time. Let go of perfection. Just finish it.
9. Drink more water.
You know you should. Just do it today. Every time you let some water go, drink some more.
10. Plan something fun tonight.
Anticipation elevates happiness.
11. Put stuff away after using it.
Clutter is distracting. Put stuff in its place. Throw stuff in the trash.
12. Plan a mid-morning break.
Dedicate 10 minutes to something that rejuvenates you. Stretch. Phone a friend. Turn off the lights and breathe. Repeat in the afternoon.
How might you adapt the above great day list?
What suggestions do you have for making today a great day?
Still curious:
Distraction: Defeating the Beast that Contaminates Leadership and Dilutes Effectiveness
10 Ways to Start Your Day Like a Leader
How to Develop the Habit of Finishing Stuff
Great day image from: Pxfuel
Add value in each meeting and every interaction.
We could ask ourselves, “Will my contribution move our conversation toward the goal?”
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Let’s remember that sometimes the highest value we can provide in an interaction is to simply listen without responding.
Be grateful for the things that make you happy, for the accomplishments of the day, for waking up this morning and getting to have a fresh start.
Can’t beat a gratitude practice.
This is FANTASTIC advice! I recently started using a timer to help me leave work on time…or closer to one time 🙂 I set if for 30 minutes before I hope to leave and it really has helped me to get out closer to the time I should. I also make a conscious effort to walk away from my desk & work mid to late morning.
Brilliant idea, Erin. A time creates a sense of urgency for me.
Beautifully practical and focused list. I’m sitting at my desk reading and thinking, “I’d like to do all of those things today.” Thanks, Dan.
Thanks Blake. It’s interesting that small changes have big potential.
Dan, I LOVE the idea of a Done-List– I wear many different hats, work on multiple projects every day and writing these things down after I’ve done them (because sooo much comes up last minute) makes my heart happy. Thank you!!
I practice using a done list. This is so helpful for me to be able to focus. As a nurse, I am pulled away from a project often. The done list helps me know where to pick up at.
Wonderful practice. Getting refocused is a challenge after being pulled away. I bet you are often pulled away.