Three Simple Ways to Make Every Day a Perfect Day

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Honestly, the word “perfect” really irritates me.?

It’s incredibly shortsighted and limiting to think there’s one single definition of an ideal.?

That narrow-mindedness was underscored for me when I asked people about their perfect days. The answers were so varied: a beautiful breakfast, hanging out with friends, surfing in the morning and skiing in the afternoon. All different —?and all perfect.

There’s no right answer.

So what if, instead of thinking about the perfect day as a day when everything goes right, we approach it differently? That’s the question I posed on Tuesday’s livestream : How can we make every day a perfect day, even when we’re not waking up on a yacht, enjoying a spectacular sunrise, and sipping on an exquisite cup of coffee??

This is what a perfect day really looks like

Let me be clear: There’s nothing wrong with waking up every day with the intention of having a good day, no matter what.

The way you approach a day, your mindset, and your attitude have a huge impact on how things unfold — not just for you but for your family, friends, colleagues, and community.?

But what happens when things go terribly wrong? When nothing works out or goes according to plan? When you have a horrible, rotten, no good kind of day??

It’s really hard for every day to be perfect when it’s centered on actions and specific outcomes. And that’s why I like to think of the perfect day differently. For me, it’s about living fully in my purpose and values.

When I look at things through that lens and place my purpose at the center of everything I do every single day, well, every single day becomes a perfect day. Because I set the intention to focus on my purpose and values, I’m making very strategic choices about what will (and won’t) help me achieve my purpose — and that grounds me in my “why” and reinspires me.

Yes, even when obstacles are thrown at me!

How to make every day the perfect day?

When we’re intentional, conscious, and present, we can turn any day into a fantastic day — no matter what’s happening. You could be smack in the middle of a dust storm and everything would be absolutely perfect. ??

So how do you construct your days? How do you purposefully create the perfect day for yourself and the people around you? Here are three ways to make the best of every day.

1. Define your perfect day. How can you have a perfect day if you have no idea what it involves? The first step to living every day in alignment with your purpose and values is to simply imagine what it looks like for you. Remember, it looks different for everyone! But there is a lot of research into what it could look like. If you’re designing your perfect day around the three levels of happiness, it might include things that are fun and pleasurable, opportunities to exercise your talents and have an impact, and experiences that are meaningful to you. Try to think less in terms of specific things and more in terms of moments that are important to you.
2. Surround yourself with the right people. You’ve probably heard we’re the sum of the people we spend time with, so who are the right people? They’re the ones who hold you accountable and remind you to focus on what’s really important so you can live your purpose and values. I encourage you to look at your calendar. Are the people you’re meeting with, gathering with, and spending time with helping you achieve your purpose and values? Are they moving you forward and lifting you up? Are they the people you want to be around? If not, what do you need to change about those relationships? It’s not always easy, but so much of the day is dictated by who we surround ourselves with!
3. Align activities with your purpose and values. Take another look at your calendar. Are the activities filling your days aligned with your purpose and values? Or are you substituting imaginary wins for real outcomes? Sure, Inbox Zero is aspirational (and something I’m always working toward), but does it really move you forward? Does it help you reach your goals ? To help you decide if these activities match your perfect day, try an activity and time audit. Every time you start a new activity, write it down. Mark when you’ve finished it and note how you felt. At the end of the day, review your log and ask yourself, “Are these activities moving me forward?” It’s really easy to lose sight of the big picture and get enamored with your to-do list, so be honest!

Is this a simple concept? Yes. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy! All too often, leaders talk about purpose and values, but it’s little more than sayings splashed across the walls. It’s not something they truly live. But if you consistently live according to your purpose and values and what’s truly important to you, you’ll start having more and more perfect days — and so will the people around you.?

If one of your values is innovation, join me for next week’s livestream! I’ll be sharing some research PA Consulting recently published about innovating for growth, especially breakthrough growth. I’m really excited to introduce you to the Breakthrough Brigade, so I hope to see you on Tuesday, October 18 at 9 am PT.

Your Turn

There are so many ways to have the perfect day, so I’d love to hear yours! Please describe your perfect day. What does it look like? Where are you? Who are you with? What are you doing? I can’t wait to hear all about your perfect day!

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