Every morning we are given something incredibly valuable — another day. We may have plans for next week, next month, next year or even five years from now. We may have goals we want to reach, places we want to go and dreams we still want to pursue. But before any of those things can happen, we have to do something with today.
I believe each day presents us with an opportunity to move closer to our potential. Through the grace of God, we wake up with another chance to grow, learn, encourage someone, make a better decision or take one more step toward a worthy goal. We don’t have to accomplish everything in one day. We simply need to make good use of the time in front of us.
So, I have a question for you: What are you doing with today?
Sometimes we become so focused on tomorrow, we overlook the opportunity sitting right in front of us. We tell ourselves we will start next week, make the phone call tomorrow, work on the idea when things slow down or pursue the goal once we feel more prepared. Before long, days become weeks and weeks become months.
There may never be a perfect time. You may not have every resource you want. You may not have every answer. You may still have questions about where the journey will lead. None of those things prevent you from taking one meaningful step today.
A small step still moves you forward. One positive decision can lead to another. One productive hour can change the direction of an entire day. Never underestimate what you can begin with the time and resources already available to you.
Of course, moving forward also means learning from where we have been. We all have a yesterday. Some parts make us proud. Other parts include disappointment, missed opportunities, mistakes or decisions we wish we could change. We cannot rewrite yesterday, but we can learn from it.
Our experiences — good and bad — can become valuable teachers. A mistake can teach us to prepare better. A disappointment can reveal an area where we need to grow. A difficult season can show us strength we didn’t know we had. Instead of spending too much time asking, “Why did this happen?” sometimes the better question is, “What did I learn, and what am I going to do next?”
Your answer often begins with your attitude.
We don’t control everything happening around us, but we do have a choice in how we respond. There will be days when things don’t go according to plan. Someone may disappoint us. A business opportunity may disappear. A goal may take longer than expected. We may receive news we didn’t want to hear.
A positive attitude doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect. It means recognizing the challenge without allowing it to determine your direction. You can spend your energy complaining about the situation, or you can use your energy deciding what comes next.
I have always believed potential requires participation. Having ability, ideas, dreams or good intentions isn’t enough. We have to show up. We have to prepare. We have to practice. We have to make decisions. We have to keep moving even when progress seems slow.
Think about one goal you have right now. What have you done today to move closer to it?
Not last month.
Not last year.
Today.
Sometimes we wait for motivation before taking action. In my experience, action often creates motivation. Once you begin moving, you start seeing possibilities you couldn’t see while standing still. Progress creates energy. Accomplishing one small thing can give you the confidence to tackle the next one.
There is another reason your daily choices matter. Someone may be watching how you live.
Someone may notice how you respond to disappointment. Someone may remember how you treated them when there was nothing for you to gain. Someone may remember a few encouraging words years after you have forgotten saying them. Your children, coworkers, friends, neighbors and even people you barely know can learn something from how you approach life.
Living up to your potential is about more than personal success. Your growth can create a positive difference in the lives of other people. When you become better, you have more to give.
At the end of the day, ask yourself a simple question: Did I make good use of today?
You don’t need a perfect day to give a good answer. Maybe you learned something. Maybe you completed one important task. Maybe you encouraged someone. Maybe you made a decision you had been avoiding. Maybe you took the first step toward a goal. Maybe you simply refused to give up.
Those things matter.
Life isn’t lived someday. Life is lived one day at a time. Get up. Get moving. Use your gifts. Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep believing. Keep pursuing your worthy goals and ideas.
And most importantly, make good use of the day God has given you.
Ready to Get After It?
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Your opportunity is today.
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