Make Today a Masterpiece

“Make each day your masterpiece.”

John Wooden

This beautiful and simple quote from the great UCLA basketball coach sends chills down my spine.  What a wonderful way to approach each day.   Would you rather approach today like it is just another Thursday in July in which I will go through my normal morning routines, hustle to work, and watch a few hours of TV? Or approach today as if it is your masterpiece?

The dictionary definition of masterpiece: ‘a person’s greatest piece of work’.

If you were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to design your masterpiece day, what would it be like?  What would you do?  How would you interact with people?  Asking these questions forces me to reflect on what I do best, what I enjoy, and what I have to offer others.  What comes to your mind?

Now, I don’t believe that you should feel any obligation or pressure to do something extraordinary every day.  You shouldn’t feel like you must succeed in every interaction and activity that you participate in.  Nor should you blow off your obligations that you don’t necessarily enjoy.  However, you can certainly approach each day, and each obligation, with the attitude and energy that you are going to make the absolute best of it all.  That you will use each moment of the day in the best way you possibly could have.  Now, wouldn’t that be cool?  Well, why not? 

I believe that there are so many small things you can do each day in striving towards your greatest piece of work .  It might be just smiling and saying hi to a stranger as you walked by and unbeknownst to you was having a horrible day.  It might be giving your kids extra attentive time playing a game that they love.  It could be pushing yourself to try something out of your comfort zone.  This list is endless, and different for each person.   The most important piece, do the small things the best that you possibly can.    

Wooden expresses the importance of today with the following quote directed at his basketball players and their approach to practice.

“You have to give 100 percent every day.  Whatever you don’t give, you can’t make up for tomorrow.

 If you give only 75 percent today, you can’t give 125 percent tomorrow to make up for it.’

Seize today.  Live today like it is your masterpiece.  We are not guaranteed tomorrow.

Kyle C. Ryan