What you do every day is already important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. But today, I dare you to take it up a notch, pump some extra life into every hour, and really make your time count.
Today, I dare you to…
- Make someone else smile. – Ordinary people worry today and postpone their happiness for tomorrow. Intelligent people are happy today and postpone their worries for tomorrow. Wise people only wish happiness for all, today and tomorrow. If you wish to have a lifetime of happiness, dedicate time every day to helping others smile with complete sincerity and enthusiasm.
- Be imperfect. – Something that is really difficult, but totally worth it, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the journey of becoming your true self. The most beautiful part of this journey is simply returning to the peaceful feeling of being. This peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.
- Be enthusiastic about what you’re doing. – You’re not given a good life or a bad life. You’re given life, and it’s up to you to make it good or bad. So wake up and get motivated; not everybody made it to today. Don’t take your time for granted. Don’t waste time thinking back to what you could have done differently yesterday. Keep your eyes on the road ahead and do it differently today. Wherever the road takes you, bring your passion. Whatever you do along the way, do it with all your heart.
- Make the best of what happens. – More important than what happens to you, is what you make of what happens to you. The more thankful you are, the more beautiful this world appears. You must uncover the good in the bad, the happy in your sad, the gain in your pain, and what makes you grateful not hateful. Read Stumbling on Happiness
. - Forgive your past self. – Sometimes, good people like you make bad choices. It doesn’t mean you’re bad; it means you’re human. So get bored with your past; it’s over. Forgive yourself for what you think you did or didn’t do, and focus on what you will do starting now.
- Spend some time simply being and breathing. – The only way to live happily ever after is one day at a time. Just be, breathe, and think not about what you’re missing, but what you’ve been given. Happiness is something that comes into our lives gradually through the doors we don’t even remember leaving open. Read The Power of Now.
- Learn something new. – It’s important to remember that you cannot become who you are capable of being by remaining exactly where you are. If you are not willing to learn and grow, no one can help you. But if you are determined to learn and grow, no one can stop you. In the end, there are no permanent jobs on this planet; we are all interning here. Learn from everyone, evolve, remain humble, and don’t forget to have a good time.
- Look in the mirror, and tell yourself what you love about yourself. – What we see in the mirror is what we see in the world. Our disappointment in others perfectly reflects our disappointment in ourselves. Our acceptance of others perfectly reflects our acceptance of ourselves. Our ability to see potential in others perfectly reflects our ability to see potential in ourselves. Our patience with others perfectly reflects our patience with ourselves. You get the idea – you’ve got to show yourself some love first.
- Focus on the qualities you like about those around you. – Whenever we focus on a person’s wonderful qualities, we have a wonderful relationship with them. Whenever we focus on a person’s not so wonderful qualities, we have a not so wonderful relationship with them. What we focus on grows in our minds and hearts. Read The Charisma Myth.
- Say “yes” to a spontaneous opportunity. – Everything in life can’t be planned. Some of the greatest opportunities will knock on your door when you least expect them to. Be flexible, be spontaneous, and just say “yes.”
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.Photo by: Stuart Anthony
Andy says
I love this. It certainly made me smile this morning. And today, I dare myself to make as many people smile as possible… 🙂
Annelle Brown says
Truths and Dares to live by!
Thank you for lifting my spirits and setting me on the right track.
Yvonne N says
Love you guys – you are such an inspiration in my life. You two seriously contribute to my strength on a daily basis. Thank you!
Bina says
Love this post. Makes me want to go out into my day and make it count. Thank you!
RJ says
I enjoyed reading this and all the other posts on your site. But I kinda wish you started using more personal experience examples to make it more personal.
Browse Cart says
Thanks Marc for the great post!!!
Really if we adopt these 10 points before starting our day, then it will be just not a day, it will be a fruitful day!!!
Jia Ni says
Beautiful post. Thank you!
Jennza P says
Thank you :))
none says
really loved it 🙂
thank you for writing & posting it guys
Charles says
OMG! This is just what I needed to hear today. I tell you that I get more spiritual nourishment from you than I get from my pastor. I hate to say that but it is the truth. Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you.
Amandah says
Great post! I did make someone smile today. 🙂 No one is perfect so get over having to be perfect.
I am enthusiastic about what I’m doing. I was asked to submit book proposals based on my pitches and can’t wait until my books are published. Yes! I’m affirming that I’ll receive a contract that will be for the highest good of all and that my books will help and heal others.
Forgiveness is important if you want to move forward in life. Forgive you and everyone who hurt you. Let go, let God and move forward with your life. Be free…Be happy.
Lauren Beth says
Thank you… thank you… thank you. I can’t even express to you how many times you have helped me “save” myself. Whenever I need to find my center or get back on the right track I come to your blog. Your words have dried my tears, saved relationships, encouraged me to pursue new relationships, and essentially saved my life. I am so grateful to have found your blog. I wish there were a way to “pay you back” but for now I will continue to share your inspiration.
Forever grateful,
Lauren
Millie says
how do you do it…
everyday…
the perfect words.
Thank you.
Stacia says
awesome tips. I really enjoy reading all of your posts. I am going to try a few of these today.
Janis says
#7 is something I focus on everday. I work in healthcare with multiple different professionals & ancillary staff…it is fasinating to learn from others thru everyday occurances.
jes says
Thanks Marc…
It made a wonderful start for my day..
I’m now set to work again, having heavy heart with all the things to do in my office but this post really refreshed my motivation…to pursue my best effort to learn, to love myself no matter what, and make others smile…..
Bless you and everyone who reads your inspiring articles!
PAUL says
Loved the simplicity of this post. Just the dose of inspiration I needed.
rosun nepali says
Superb post !
You will not believe , but I try to follow your points every day. I start my morning with your posts. Thanks. You are there to inspire me and thousands of like me to live a better life…
Katya says
I love your posts.
They make me think about the simple truth of who I am and what I want.
It helps. A lot! Thank you! 🙂
Maggie says
Having just reached the milestone of 70 years, I totally understand the Get Motivated – everyone made it to today. It’s extraordinary that getting older is such a liberating experience, precisely because life is fragile and we are still here.
Thank you for reminding me of so many wise home truths.
Diana says
I would love to share your posts with friends and family that do not have a computer. Would you publish a book so I can share all your wonderful wisdom? If not, just keep it up. I love everything you do.
Rich says
Especially like number 4 – ‘spend some time being and breathing’. Not easily done with three kids and crazy job, but needs to happen! Great post, great blog, found you when one of my friends tweeted your post. Liked your list so much shared it on my own blog…. keep up the great work.
Susan Preston says
Love this article, especially # 8 Look in the mirror, and tell yourself what you love about yourself. It is so important to love ourselves, by doing so we can love others even more deeply. Thanks 🙂
Carmelo says
How about forgiving someone who wronged you and you’re not obliged to forgive them? Let them off the hook. Send them love and encouragement and see how they suddenly give back to you.
But, make sure you’re authentic.
Nice list … and post.
Sapna says
I love everything you write Marc and Angel.
The Ninja Baker says
Love your reminders, Marc to, “Be a good finder.”
By looking for the good, it’s easier to forgive and move forward with love and in service to ourselves and fellow travelers on this funny, sometimes strange road of life.
Kumbaya, Marc and Angel =)
Marc says
Thank you again, all of you. Angel and I continue to find endless inspiration in your positive ideas and comments. We’re truly moved that so many of you connect with our articles.
No get out there and make today count. I dare ya! 😉
Jenny says
It feels really good to be able to check some of these off 🙂 This is a wonderful daily list to have. Thank you so much for posting….grateful ~
Desislava says
These are really insipirational. I feel the energy in me now and I will make the day count. 🙂
Thank you for the ideas.
Free Spirit Butterfly says
I love this post. Back again to re-read over it carefully and ensure that all words are properly digested in my spirit.
Ara Bedrossian says
I’ll see that dare and raise it to help another.
Cheers!
Alps says
These are definitely ten rules that everyone should keep in the back of their mind. I think just sometimes we need a gentle reminder such as this. Just think, if everyone did these ten things then the world would be a better place. Even if we can’t make these changes in others, we can at least do these things ourselves and make the world around us a little bit better. Excellent post!
Cathy says
Five years ago my husband and mother died just 12 days apart. I went back to work a week later and everyone around me noticed that I was smiling. They all would say, “Oh my goodness, after everything you have been through, how can you smile”? I said,” After everything that I have been through that’s the one simple thing I CAN do……(smile).