Today Matters

I highly recommend reading John Maxwell's book, Today Matters. He has put some very important truths into simple language that are foundational for a successful life. The following posts will be my outline of his book.

Misconceptions about Success
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Judith Viorst)
What does a good day look like? How do you create one?
What you do today impacts what happens tomorrow
1) Impossible: Criticize it
Life is difficult. If you think it should be easy, then you will give up easily when you face difficulty. If it’s not easy we think its impossible
2) Mystical: Search for it
A big mystery. Silver bullet, magic formula, quick fix
You can’t win with a quick fix
3) Luck: Hope for it
Explain away success. 50 million to one you will become successful by luck
4) Productivity: Work for it
Hard work is not success. Need more.
5) Opportunity: Wait for it
Need a break. If only…. Won’t be ready if it does appear.
When opportunity comes it’s too late to prepare
If you aren’t ready even an opportunity wouldn’t change your life much
6) Connections: Network for it
Meet right person. But won’t guarantee success
7) Recognition: Strive for it
Often ends in disillusionment
8) Event: Schedule it
Events are helpful but have limited impact.
Inspiration, motivation, tools and knowledge, but success is a process
Three year strategy, many tools and resources
Success comes when you make decisions and follow through on them

Key: Success is determined by your daily agenda.
You will never change your life until you change something that you do daily.
Every day is preparation for the next. What you become is the result of what you do today.
John Wooden: Make each day your masterpiece. Improve on something each day.
Become a little better each and every day, and over time you will become a lot better.
How? Decisions and Discipline. Two sides of the same coin. One is worthless without the other.
Decision without Discipline: A Plan without a Payoff
Discipline without Decision: Regimentation without reward
Decision with Discipline: Masterpiece of potential
12 Critical Decisions
Do what unsuccessful people don’t like to do.
Two kinds of pain: self-discipline and regret.
Avoiding the pain of self-discipline is easy. But the pain of self-discipline is temporary while the pain of regret is life-long.
Exercise: 30 minutes makes you feel good for 3 hours, and it also helps you in the long run.

Getting started:
1) Be the change you want to see in the world (Gandhi). Become a model of change. You have to become something if you are to have something to share.
2) Start small. Small successes give you confidence. Prioritize. Don’t have to know all the steps to get started.
3) Get started early. Be proactive. Start early and you will have more options later on. Compounding effect on your life.