How to Have a Great Day

I get up every morning and it's going to be a great day. You never know when it's going to be over so I refuse to have a bad day. – Paul Henderson

Here's an interesting question:  How do you have a great day?  Is there a secret?  A special formula?  For that matter, what is a great day?

A great day is going to be defined differently by each person.  But, I think I can say one consistency of a great day for everyone is that it is satisfying.  You end the day and know that it was good.

So, what can you do to have a great day?  

First, a great day begins in your mind.  Your attitude determines how you approach the day.  It is your inner game and if your inner game is good, so is your outer game.  You get to choose your attitude and thus you get to choose to have a great day.  Every morning when you wake up, you have this choice.  Do this little exercise for one week.  Each morning, after you get up, write the following on a piece of paper, "What attitude will I choose to have today:  Great, Fair, or Poor."  Once you write it down, choose "great, fair, or poor" and circle the one you will have for the day.  I have done this for years and I can say I have never circled anything by "great."  As my day goes on, if there are problems, or challenges, and/or things don't go my way - and I start to think negatively, I just look at the attitude I chose for the day (great) and it snaps me out it.  

Second,  plan your day.  If you take the time to plan your day to know ahead of time what you are going to do, you will be much more efficient and effective.  Of course, the more you can accomplish will make the day more satisfying for you.  Planning your day will ensure you know what to do ahead of time, so you don't waste time or focus on things that are not important.  

Third, be grateful.  Take 5-10 minutes at some point during the day to practice gratitude.  Whether it is to someone or just with yourself, gratitude is a powerful thing.  Take 5-10 minutes and write down 3 things you are grateful for and you'll be amazed at how it gives your perspective and makes you feel.  Or take 5-10 minutes to give a compliment to someone or share why you are grateful for them in your life.  If you take the time to do this, it will go a long way in making your day (and theirs) a great one.

Having a great day, is not that hard.  It just requires a few key things to ensure it happens.  If you take these 3 actions each day, you will find that every day can and will be a great day!