Simple Steps To Make The Most Of Your Day

“Success in life is founded upon attention to the small things rather than to the large things.” – Booker T. Washington

Not to seem glum, but our days are numbered. We can’t keep hiding behind negativity to keep us from living life fully. We need to take charge and make the most of every day.

Here are 19 little steps to make the most of your day.

1. Rejuvenate.
Start with the night prior by getting enough sleep and preparing for your day. Keep a journal to work through your thoughts. Moisturize your body and your face. You’ll wake up fresh and ready to have the best day ever.

2. Wake up early.
Early mornings are quiet, peaceful, productive, energizing.

Don’t hit the snooze button. If you need an extra 10 minutes, set your alarm later so that you can wake up right away. Getting up early will allow you time for a healthy, wholesome breakfast and to ease into your day. You’ll have time to leisurely sip your coffee, or preferred morning beverage, read the newspaper, practice yoga, or whatever else wakes your soul.

3. Smile.

The easiest thing you can do to make the most of every day is to wake up smiling. When you put a smile on your face first thing in the morning, you program your brain to think positively and you will attract that positivity throughout your day. Don’t sweat it if you forget; it takes time to build a habit. Smiling at strangers is another lovely way to make the most of your day.

4. Read something positive.
Keep the positivity rolling by reading something positive every day. Sign up for some positive AM alarm apps like Spirit Junkie or Affirmation Alarm to make things easy. Blogs, books, magazines, and newsletters are other great resources for positivity.

5. Set daily goals.
With your leisurely morning time, make a list of your daily goals and work toward accomplishing them. You can lay out an action plan with the baby steps you need to take and taking into account their timely deadlines. Your goals don’t have to be big. You could choose to feel a certain way or compliment a certain number of people.

6. Check your head.
You are in control of your mindset. Don’t let your ego take over the positive action you took in the morning. When you hear a negative thought encroaching, acknowledge it, challenge it, and replace it with positivity.

7. Eat Right.
The food we put into our bodies becomes the fuel on which it runs. We are wise to make sure it is the right kind of fuel at every meal.

Follow healthy diet practices by eating three daily meals and a few snacks. Remember that everything is okay in moderation, except vegetables. You can eat veggies in abundance. Don’t starve yourself, and don’t be so rigid you never enjoy a meal.

Just be sure to include some protein in your breakfast, your mind will be sharper and clearer because of it.

8. Take a break.
We can’t spend every day in a leisurely state of bliss. We work. We work hard. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take a break. Whether you feel drained or energized take a moment to unplug and breathe. Step out into nature or take a power nap. Whatever resets your soul.

9. Exercise.
According to studies, people who exercise regularly report to be happier, calmer, and better equipped to handle whatever the day decides to throw at them. Interestingly enough, the study seemed to indicate these benefits were experienced on a day-to-day basis, which means you can begin to experience them today by choosing to exercise just 20 minutes.

Move your body, especially when you’re feeling tired. Exercise releases endorphins, which makes you happy. Happiness helps makes the most of your day. You don’t have to get vigorous; try a brisk walk or meditative yoga if you’re not into heavy sweating.

10. Express your love.
Don’t go a day without letting those closest to you know how much you care. With our plentiful social media these days it’s really easy. But if you want to make the most of your day, write a letter, pick up the phone, or meet someone for a face-to-face chat.

11. Do something that excites you.
Don’t let a day go by without excitement. That doesn’t mean you have to sky dive or extreme mountain climb every day. It could simply be a quick skinny dip in the ocean (if you’re near one and secluded), calling that guy you think is cute, or trying a new skill.

Apart from the day-to-day requirements of living life, you have dreams, goals, and hopes. You have hobbies that you love and activities that breathe life into who you are. Embrace these life-giving opportunities. And do one thing every day that you love.

The possibilities are endless.

12. Express yourself.
Get creative to make the most of your day. Practice your art, your sport, your hobby. It’s important to keep these pleasures alive because they light up our lives.

13. Touch yourself and someone else.
We could all use a little more appreciation and what better way to do it than with touch. Give your best friend a hug, kiss your partner longer than you’re used to, touch yourself in places you feel insecure.

Put away distractions. Engage in conversation. Ask questions. Give time for answers. And look people in the eye when you do. Their eyes reveal far more than their words.

14. Unwind.
At the end of the day, when you’ve made the most of the sunlight, kick back and make the most of the evening. Create a routine to take care of yourself so that you can make the most of the next day ahead.

Rest is as essential to our bodies as food and water and air. Our bodies need to be refreshed on a daily basis and a weekly basis. Don’t neglect to schedule rest. And don’t feel guilty about it when you do.

15. Do what you want.
We make choices in our lives every day. It’s important to remember, especially when you feel trapped by a situation. If you want to make the most of every day you need to do what you want, and part of that is making difficult choices. Sometimes this means making sacrifices. When you accept that these sacrifices are your choice then you will be a whole lot happier.

16. Do what’s right.
The right thing isn’t always the easy thing, but it will help you make the most of every day. If something doesn’t feel right then you need to make the choice to fix it.

17. Be kind.
Spread joy wherever you go. Smile at strangers. Make a meal for someone. Donate your time. Call your mom. Pick up trash. Be nice to customer service. The little things make the biggest difference.

Your fullest joy in life will not be found living it selfishly for yourself. Rather, the periods of greatest joy and fulfillment are found in the moments and motivations when we are choosing to give to others. Invest your life in someone else every day. Mentor a child. Help a co-worker. Fund a local charity. Or just make that phone call to a friend who needs to hear from you.

18. Nurture your soul.
Our lives are more than flesh and blood. They are also mind and heart and soul. Find time each day to feed your soul by embracing gratitude, laughter, hope, and faith.

19. Reset.
Tomorrow is another day with great potential and opportunity. You’ll want to begin it with a clean slate and a fresh start. Take 10 minutes each evening to clear the clutter and refresh your home for the next day. Tomorrow’s self will thank you for it.

Remember: You will have bad days, but focusing on the positive ones will make the negative easier to deal with. Make the most of your day …today!