There is one thing we all hold in common. We each start our day. From that point on, how we start our day is as unique as we are. However, I’ve concluded that at least one thing should be more common. Our day should begin with a question. The question you ask yourself every day is, “If this was the second time I was living this day, what would I do differently?”
This question isn’t my own. I’m borrowing it from Donald Miller, who wrote the book ‘Hero on a Mission.’ A couple of years ago, I took his online course by the same title, and he recommended this question. I’ll be honest, I don’t use it every day, but I use it more often than not. Here’s why.
When I ask myself this question at the beginning of the day, I’m putting into my mind a picture of how I want the day to go. I’m writing a story that I want to see come true. This simple exercise shapes the decisions I make during the day.
Here are some of the ways that I’ve answered this question recently.
- Read a book in the evening instead of watching a show.
- Be productive and accomplish my three primary tasks.
- Find joy in serving the Lord through my work and be content in all things.
- Resist the urge to be distracted from my primary tasks
- Be JOYFUL and PATIENT
- Smile when approached by someone, especially when they are interrupting me and asking for something.
Maybe you can see some patterns. I’m trying to keep myself on task while also shaping my character into the form that I think will serve me and others best. I’m reacting to things that I feel are not my strengths and telling myself that I want them to be my strengths.
Throughout the day, I’ll revisit my answer. It’s like coming back to an anchor that protects me from being carried away in a storm.
So, try it tomorrow. Ask yourself this question, “If this was the second time I was living this day, what would I do differently?” Let me know how it goes. My email address is mark@markjpeterson.com!