How to Make Every Day a Win With One Simple Habit

How to Make Every Day a Win With One Simple Habit - Photo by Philippe Leone on Unsplash

Every day, there is one thing that truly matters to you. If you do it, your day feels like a win. It could be something small or big, but it’s the one action that, once done, makes you feel satisfied and proud. The question is: what is that one thing for you?

I encourage you to write it down. Use a notebook, a piece of paper, your phone, or even a tablet. Personally, I use Sims 3, but the tool doesn’t matter. What matters is that you write down the one thing you want to accomplish today. The sooner you do it, the better, because you never know what the day will bring. Unexpected events, emergencies, or other tasks can easily take over your time and energy.

If you keep pushing this important task to later in the day, you might end up too tired or distracted. Maybe you have to cook, take care of your kids, or spend time with your partner. That’s why doing your most important task in the morning is so powerful. Once it’s done, you’ve already made your day count.

For some, this key action could be going for a jog, hitting the gym, meditating, taking a course, reading, or simply enjoying a coffee at your favorite spot. I used to love going to Café Nero in the UK or Starbucks when I was traveling. Maybe your thing is different, but the principle is the same: do something that matters to you, every single day.

How to Make Every Day a Win With One Simple Habit - Photo by nasro azaizia on Unsplash

Life is short. Sometimes your meaningful action takes an hour, sometimes just ten minutes. If it’s meditation, it might be quick, but it still counts. The point is to do something for yourself, something that you know is important. If you get that one thing done, you can already feel good about your day.

You can also write down two or three less important tasks if you want, but focus on the main one. You can do this the night before or first thing in the morning. When you wake up, drink two glasses of room temperature water. I talk about this in my self-help book on Amazon, where I share my morning routine secrets. Drinking water in the morning is a great way to start your day.

After your water, write down your most important task for the day. You can do it right away or after breakfast, but once it’s written, you’ve made a commitment to yourself. Writing it down is like signing a contract with yourself. You’re promising to get it done, no matter what else happens.

If you stick to this habit, it becomes part of your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth or taking a shower. Every day, you do your “one thing.” Over time, this simple habit can change your life.

There’s a famous Chinese proverb that says the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now. If you plant your tree today, in twenty years it will be strong and beautiful. The same goes for your daily habit. Start now, and you’ll be amazed at where it takes you.

The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.

— Chinese Proverb

How to Make Every Day a Win With One Simple Habit - Photo by Olivier Bergeron on Unsplash

Key Takeaways

• Identify the one thing that matters most to you each day.
• Write it down every morning or the night before.
• Do it as early as possible to make sure it gets done.
• Treat this habit like a daily contract with yourself.

Action Steps

• Tomorrow morning, drink two glasses of water and write down your most important task.
• Commit to doing it before anything else distracts you.
• Repeat this every day until it becomes second nature.

Reflection

• What is the one thing that would make today a success for you?
• Are you willing to make a daily promise to yourself?
• How would your life change if you started this habit today?