We only have one life, and it’s short. We want to make sure that we are making every day count.
But sometimes, we get lost in the busyness of our lives and thoughts and forget to remind ourselves that today matters. So we forget to enjoy the little things and be grateful for what we have.
Making every day count doesn’t mean you have to do something grandiose or life-changing every single day.
Making every day count means taking the time to appreciate the good moments, even when things are tough. It means being mindful of the present moment and savoring it. It means being grateful for what we have, even when we want more.
Moreover, it means working every day in order to achieve our goals and make our dreams come true.
There are ways that can help you make everyday count, but first, you need to be aware that:
- today is special and it matters
- the past is gone; it prevents you from making every day count
- you never know what is going to happen tomorrow, so make TODAY count
- every day is a new opportunity to make a difference
Once you have that mindset, you can implement some of the ways below to make every day count.
Also, it is important to mention that although we don’t have to think about the future all the time (like worrying about what is going to happen), we should still have a goal to strive for. This will help us make every day count because we will be working towards something and have a purpose.
Action Step
Make a list of your goals and priorities.
Then, for each day, ask yourself “What can I do today to move closer to my goal?” and do it.
By doing so, you will be able to stay focused and motivated and make every day count. Otherwise, if you don’t have a goal, it is easy to get lost in the mundane tasks of daily life and forget what really matters.
Examples of goals and priorities:
- I want to get a job that I love
- I want to save money
- I want to be more mindful and reconnect to myself
- I want to be fit and healthy
- I want to spend more time with my family and friends
- I want to make a difference in the world
- I want to travel more (Minimalist travel)
After you have your goals and priorities, it is time to take action and make every day count. Below are some ideas on how to do that.
Ways to make everyday count
1. Set daily intentions
Each morning, take a few minutes to yourself and set an intention for the day. This can be something as simple as “I will be more patient today”, “I will be more mindful of my spending today” or “I will be more present today”.
Again, it depends on your goals and priorities, but the important thing is to have an intention to guide your actions for the day.
This will help you be more mindful of what you are doing and why you are doing it. And as a result, you will be more likely to make every day count.
Also, don’t forget to review your intentions at the end of the day and see how you did. This will help you reflect on your day and learn from your experiences.
Thrive Global suggests that writing down your intentions is even more powerful, so don’t be lazy to do so!
Related: How To Set Daily Intentions?
2. Don’t sleep in
It is tempting to sleep in, especially on weekends or days off. But if you want to make every day count, it is important to make the most of your time and not waste it. Work towards your goals.
Instead of sleeping in, get up early and do something that you enjoy or that is productive. Research shows that waking up just one hour earlier can reduce bad moods and some more serious mental health problems by 23% (a little motivation for you).
By getting up early and starting your day off right, you will set the tone for the rest of the day and be more likely to make it count.
Also, mornings are beautiful. They are so quiet and calm and it is a great time to meditate, reflect, or get some work done.
3. Make a to-do list every day
A to-do list is a great way to stay organized and make sure that you are getting things done. And this is how you make every day count.
Sometimes we can feel like we are just going through the motions and not really accomplishing anything. I find myself scrolling through social media or just getting bored if I don’t know what to do.
Moreover, our brains love to-do lists because we remember better what we need to do and we feel on top of things.
That is why it is helpful to make a to-do list the day before so you know what you need to do the next day. This will help you focus and use your time wisely.
Also, as you check things off your to-do list, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, which will make you more likely to want to continue making every day count.
4. Be grateful
I can’t emphasize it enough. But being grateful can truly make every day count because it changes your perspective. When being grateful, you are not over there, you are here, in the present moment, in TODAY. And this is how you make it count.
By expressing gratitude, we focus on what we have and we don’t take things for granted.
Moreover, gratitude has been linked to happiness, health, and even stronger relationships.
Taking only a few minutes each day to express gratitude can have a profound impact on your life and it can certainly help in making every day count.
Related: 101 Things To Be Grateful For Even on Gloomy Days
How to Write a Gratitude List?
5. Spend time outside
When you are outside, you are more likely to connect with the world around you, to be mindful and in the present, and therefore make every day count.
Studies prove this idea. It can refresh our brains, make us happier, and improve our mood, and general well-being.
Spending time outside doesn’t mean that you have to go on a hike every day. You can simply sit in your backyard, go for a walk around the block, or spend some time at the park.
I need to point out this: You might think that spending time outside has little to do with making every day count. But if you think about it, it actually has everything to do with it.
When we are outside, we are more likely to appreciate the beauty of life, be mindful of the present moment, and connect with others.
And all of these things can make every day count.
So get some fresh air. Every day.
6. Reserve some “me” time
It is so important to make time for yourself, to do things that you enjoy, and to recharge your batteries.
“Me” time is not selfish. It is necessary. It is essential in making every day count.
Ast little as 30 minutes a day can make a huge difference. You can read your favorite book, make yourself a cup of coffee and drink it in silence, make a face mask, take a relaxing bath, or just take a walk.
Do whatever makes you happy and relaxes you. But no screen time. That is not “me” time, this is “vegging out” time.
And we are not looking to veg out, we are looking to recharge our batteries so we can make every day count.
If you want to read more about science-based reasons why spending time alone, Forbes has a comprehensive article on this sense.
7. Connect with others
As much as we need “me” time, we also need to connect with others. We are social beings and we need to interact with others to lead happy and fulfilling lives.
Make time for your family and friends. Have dinner together, go on a walk, or just spend some time talking. Call your grandparents, send a text to an old friend, or meet someone new.
Connecting with others is an important part of making every day count because it helps us feel connected, loved, and supported. Besides that, it improves our mood, and memory, and even prevents us from going insane.
So make time for others. Everyday.
8. Make time for mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. It sounds simple enough, but it’s quite powerful.
When you are mindful, you are in the present moment and you are not letting your mind wander off into the past or the future.
When you are mindful, you are more likely to appreciate the moment, be grateful for what you have, and connect with others. All of which can make every day count.
I would say that mindfulness is the queen of making every day count. This is due to the fact that mindfulness is the foundation of so many things that can make every day count. And there are so many more benefits of being mindful!
9. Be on top of things
Sometimes we can’t help but feel like we are falling behind. In our fast-paced world, it is easy to feel like we are not doing enough, or that we are not on top of things.
But when we feel like this, it is important to remember that every day is a new day. And we can start fresh.
So if you are feeling like you are not on top of things, take a deep breath, and start again. Make to-do lists and start working towards being on top of things.
10. Journal
Writing in a journal is a great way to reflect on your day, and it can be beneficial in making every day count.
Journaling makes every day count because it is a great way to reflect on your day, see what you can improve tomorrow, and it can help you to better understand yourself.
It can also help you to identify patterns and to set goals. It is also a great way to release any pent-up emotions and to just get everything out.
So if you are looking for a way to make every day count, consider journaling. It is an effective and simple way to do so.
I find this article in NY Times very helpful in regards to the benefits of Journaling. After you will read it, you will probably realize that journaling has tons of benefits and that it can truly make every day count.
11. Learn new things
When it comes to making every day count, improvement and growth is essential. One of the best ways to improve and grow is to learn new things.
It can be anything from learning a new skill to reading a new book, to taking a new class.
When we learn new things, we are expanding our horizons and we are making every day count. Learning keeps our minds active and engaged, and it allows us to see the world in new and different ways.
It also helps us to build confidence and to feel capable of tackling whatever comes our way.
That is why if you’re looking for ways to make every day count, remember that learning is one of the most important things you can do.
12. Get out of your comfort zone
How do we remember days? How do we make sure that they are special, and that they count?
One way to do this is to get out of your comfort zone.
When we step outside of our comfort zones, we are opening ourselves up to new experiences. We are also challenging ourselves to grow and learn.
Routines are sometimes boring and repetitive, so if you want to make every day count, don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. It is an essential part of making every day special.
Final thoughts
Making every day count doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it can be quite simple.
You can make every day count. And you can live a life that is full of meaning and purpose. In short, all you need to do is to be present, be mindful, and make the most of every day.
I hope that these tips have inspired you to make every day count. And I hope that you have found them helpful.
Have a mindful day!
Cheers!