Make Today Count by John C. Maxwell

In today's world, we face conflicting priorities and it's very easy to get caught up in the rat race of future goals that we overlook the importance of living in the present.

In his book 'Make Today Count', John Maxwell reminds us that our lives are ultimately the sum of our daily choices and actions, and by focusing on making the most of each day, we can build a life that is not only successful but deeply meaningful.

The 12 Daily Dozen

John Maxwell believes that success is built through consistent daily disciplines rather than random bursts of effort, which was why he introduced the concept of the "Daily Dozen" - twelve critical areas of life that we should focus on every day to create a well-rounded and fulfilling life.

These areas include attitude, priorities, health, family, thinking, commitment, finances, faith, relationships, generosity, values, and growth.

John Maxwell believes that by identifying these essential areas and developing positive habits in each one, we can lay the foundation for a well-lived life.

Attitude and Mindset

Based on personal experience, John Maxwell believes that having a positive attitude not only makes a difference in our own lives but also has an impact on other people.

Contrary to popular belief, he emphasises that our attitude is not set. Rather, our attitude is a choice, and it can be changed. We must think, act, and conduct ourselves like the person we want to become.

?? If you desire to change yourself, then start with your mind. Believe that you can change into the person you desire to be. - John Maxwell

By consciously adopting a positive mindset, placing a high value on people, developing a high appreciation for life, and managing the discipline of attitude, we can rise above the ordinary and impact others positively.

Priorities and Focus

After reading about the Pareto Principle, which states that by focusing our attention on the top 20 percent of all our priorities, we would get an 80 percent return on our effort, John Maxwell made the decision to prioritize his life. He resolved to give focus and energy to those things that give the highest return.

John Maxwell urges us to also be practitioners of the Pareto Principle by asking ourselves these three key questions:

1. What is required of me?
2. What gives me the greatest return?
3. What gives me the greatest reward?

In a world filled with distractions and competing demands, it's easy to get sidetracked by urgent but ultimately unimportant tasks. By putting first things first and learning to say no to the nonessential, we can ensure that we're making progress on the things that truly matter.

?? Time is the most valuable coin in your life. You and you alone will determine how that coin will be spent. Be careful that you do not let other people spend it for you. - Carl Sandburg.

Health and Self-Care

After surviving a heart attack at a Christmas gathering for his employees and their spouses, John Maxwell urges us to commit to taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

For those finding it difficult to commit to living a healthy life, John Maxwell offers the following advice:

1. Have a purpose worth living for so that you can make the right choices and stay disciplined.
2. Do work you enjoy that plays to your areas of strength and aligns with your values to prevent debilitating stress.
3. Find your pace to avoid the two extremes of becoming lazy or burning out.
4. Accept your personal worth. A strong positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success in life.
5. Laugh.

Relationships and Family

For John Maxwell, success means having those closest to him love and respect him the most.

Strong, supportive relationships are the foundation of a fulfilling life. We must place high value on people, learn to understand people, give respect to people but expect to earn it from others and commit to adding value to others.

John Maxwell emphasizes the importance of nurturing connections with family, friends, and loved ones. By investing time and effort into our relationships, practising open communication, and expressing appreciation and support, we can create a network of love and belonging that sustains us through life's ups and downs.

?? People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. - John C. Maxwell

Thinking and Personal Growth

John Maxwell explains that when it comes to good thinking, eleven different thinking skills come into play. These are big-picture thinking, focused thinking, creative thinking, realistic thinking, strategic thinking, possibility thinking, reflective thinking, questioning popular thinking, shared thinking, unselfish thinking and bottom-line thinking.

While we may be better at some than others, John Maxwell encourages us to maximise our strengths and staff our weaknesses.

To manage the discipline of thinking, we must set aside time daily to think, be determined to think on the right things, capture these thoughts, and put our thoughts into action quickly.

Continuous learning and personal development are essential for staying relevant, adaptable, and fulfilled in an ever-changing world.

?? Growth is not an automatic process; we must be strategic and intentional in crafting our personal growth plan.

John Maxwell challenges us to uncover our potential, set growth goals, and put ourselves in growth environments. We must prioritize growth and make time for daily reflection, reading, skill-building and application.

By embracing a growth mindset, seeking new challenges, and stepping outside our comfort zones, we can expand our knowledge, creativity, and potential for success.

Commitment and Follow-Through

The power of commitment and follow-through cannot be overemphasized. According to John Maxwell, we must count the cost, determine to pay the price and always strive for excellence.

We must commit to doing what's right even when we don't feel like it, keeping our promises, honouring our commitments, and persisting in the face of challenges. By consistently showing up and doing what we say we'll do, we build trust, credibility, and the resilience necessary to achieve our goals.

??Commitment makes you capable of failing forward until you reach your goals. - John Maxwell

Finances and Generosity

John Maxwell and his wife made a joint decision to sacrifice today so that they can have options tomorrow. To them, that means living by a 10:10:80 financial formula (i.e. 10% to church/charity, 10% to investments, 80% to living expenses). He encourages us to create a formula that works for us and adopt this.

?? The difference between the rich and the poor is that the rich invest their money and spend what's left, while the poor spend their money and invest what's left.

John Maxwell also highlights the profound impact of generosity and service. We must live not only for ourselves but for others. We must seek opportunities to add value to others by contributing our time, talents, and resources to help others.

We cannot wait to be super rich before practising generosity. We must find a reason to give every day and find people to receive every day.

By incorporating acts of kindness and generosity into our daily routines, we can create a ripple effect of positivity that extends far beyond ourselves.

Values and Faith

Living a life guided by our core values and a strong sense of purpose is the foundation of true success and fulfilment.

John Maxwell encourages us to clarify our values and use them as a compass for daily decision-making. We must make a list of good values, embrace those good values and make a decision to live those values daily.

By aligning our actions with our deepest beliefs and principles, we cultivate authenticity, integrity, and the courage to stand up for what we believe in.

Moreover, to live a life of faith, we must embrace the value of faith, put God in the picture, associate with people of faith and explore and deepen our faith by exercising our faith muscles.

?? Try not to become men of success. Rather, become men of value. - Albert Einstein

Actionable Takeaways

Now that you've discovered the secrets to living a fulfilling and bedazzling life, it's time to put them into action. Here are some practical tips:

?? Start each morning by setting clear intentions and priorities for the day ahead. Focus on your most important tasks first.

?? Develop a daily routine that includes self-care, reflection, and learning time.

?? Practice gratitude and positive self-talk to maintain a healthy, resilient mindset.

?? Invest in your relationships by being present, communicative, and supportive.

?? Embrace continuous growth by trying new things and learning from challenges.

?? Look for opportunities to practice generosity and make a positive impact each day.

?? Regularly reflect on your progress and adjust your habits to stay aligned with your values and faith.

Conclusion

"Make Today Count" offers a powerful blueprint for living a successful and fulfilling life, one day at a time. By focusing on the "Daily Dozen," cultivating a positive mindset, prioritizing what matters most, investing in relationships and personal growth, and practising generosity, we can make each day count.

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