Today Matters

Dr. John C. Maxwell

Today Often Falls to Pieces…

What is the Missing Piece?

Today’s Impact on Tomorrow

We believe success is impossible – so we criticize it

We believe success is mystical – so we search for it

We believe success comes from luck – so we hope for it

Today’s Impact on Tomorrow

We believe success is productivity – so we work for it

We believe success comes from an opportunity – so we wait for it

We believe success comes from leverage – so we power up for it

Today’s Impact on Tomorrow

We believe success comes from connections – so we network for it

We believe success comes from recognition – so we strive for it

We believe success is an event – so we schedule it

Today Matters

We over-exaggerate yesterday

We overestimate tomorrow

We underestimate today

Successful people make right decisions early and manage those decisions

daily.

Today Can Become a Masterpiece

The Advantage of Today

You are preparing for something

Preparation today gives confidence tomorrow

Preparation today gives success tomorrow

Making a Masterpiece

Good DECISIONS today will give you a better tomorrow

The DISCIPLINES you practice today will give you a better tomorrow

The First Step Toward Success

Start with yourself

Start early

Start small

Start now

Make Your Decisions a Reality

Review your decisions and ask yourself, “which good decisions have I already made?”

Identify the decisions you still must make

Choose one of those decisions and determine to make it this week

Make Your Decisions a Reality

Learn the disciplines that go with each decision

Repeat the process until you’ve mastered the “daily dozen”

Today’s ATTITUDE Gives Me Possibilities

Attitude Makes a Difference

Your attitude at the beginning of a task affects its outcome more than anything else

Your attitude toward others often determines their attitude toward you

Your attitude can give you a winner’s perspective

Attitude Makes a Difference

Your attitude – not your achievements – gives you happiness

Your attitude is contagious

Changing Your Attitude

Take responsibility for your attitude

Decide to change your bad attitude areas

Think, act, talk, and conduct yourself like the person you want to become

Place a high value on people

Develop a high appreciation for life

Managing Your Attitude

Recognize that your attitude need daily adjustment

Find something positive in everything

Find someone positive in every situation

Managing Your Attitude

Say something positive in every conversation

Remove negative words from your vocabulary

Express gratitude to others daily

Today’s PRIORITIES Give Me Focus

Why Priorities Matter

Time is our most precious commodity

We cannot change time, only our priorities

We cannot do everything

We choose our life by how we spend time

Priorities help us to choose wisely

Principles of Priority

What is required of me?

What gives me the a return?

What gives me the greatest reward?

Identify Your Strengths

Trial and error

The counsel of others

Personality tests

Personal experience

Manage the Discipline of Priorities

Evaluate priorities daily

Plan your time carefully

Follow your plan

Delegate whenever possible

Invest in the right people daily

Today’s HEALTH Gives Me Strength

Reasons Why Health Matters

Your health impacts you emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually

Health often determines quality as well as quantity of life

It’s easier to maintain good health than to regain it

Healthy Guidelines

Have a purpose worth living for

Do work you enjoy

Find your pace

Accept your personal worth

Laugh

The Battle to Stay Healthy

Eat right

Exercise

Handle stress effectively

Today’s FAMILY Gives Me Stability

Reasons Why Family Matters

A safe haven in a storm

A photo album of memories

A crucible of character

A mirror revealing the truth

A treasure chest of relationships

Communication & Caring for Your Family

Determine your priorities

Decide on your philosophy

Develop your problem-solving strategy

Managing the Disciplines of Family

Put your family on your calendar first

Create and maintain family traditions

Find ways to spend time together

Keep your marriage healthy first

Express appreciation for each other

Resolve conflict as quickly as possible

Today’s THINKING Gives Me an Advantage

Why Thinking Matters Today

Good thinking precedes good results

Good thinking increases your value

Poor thinkers are slaves to their surroundings

Practice & Develop Good Thinking

Understand that great thinking comes from good thinking

Recognize there are many kinds of thinking

Maximize your strengths and staff your weaknesses

The Discipline of Thinking Find a place to think

Set aside think time every day

Find a process that works for you

Capture your thoughts

Put your thoughts into action quickly

Try to improve your thinking every day

Today’s COMMITMENT Gives Me Tenacity

Why Commitment Matters

Commitment can change your life

Commitment helps you overcome many of life’s obstacles

Your commitment will be tested every day

The Discipline of Commitment

Expect commitment to be a struggle

Don’t rely on talent alone

Focus on choices, not conditions

Be single-minded

Do what’s right even when you don’t feel like it

Today’s FINANCES Give Me Options

Why Finances Matter

Money won’t make you happy

Debt will make you unhappy

Having a financial margin gives you options

The Discipline of Finances

Become a good earner

Be grateful every day

Don’t compare yourself to others

Give as much as you can

Today’s FAITH Gives Me Peace

Why Faith Matters Today

Faith gives me a divine perspective today

Faith gives me health today

Faith gives me strength for today

Faith gives me resilience today

Daily Decisions Regarding Faith

We already have faith…the important choice is where we place it

Understand that faith is often birthed out of difficulties

A faith that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted

Managing the Discipline of Faith

Embrace the value of faith

Put God in the picture

Associate with people of faith

Explore and deepen your faith

Today’s RELATIONSHIPS Give

Me Fulfillment

Why Relationships Matter Today

Life’s greatest experiences involve other people

You’ll enjoy life more if you like people

You’ll get farther in life if people like you

People are any organization’s most appreciable asset

Initiate & Invest in Relationships Daily

Place a high value on people

Learn to understand people

Give respect freely but expect to earn it from others

Commit yourself to adding value to others

Building Relationships

Put others first

Don’t carry emotional baggage

Give time to your most valuable relationships

Serve others gladly

Express love and appreciation often

Today’s GENEROSITY Gives Me Significance

Why Generosity Matters Today

Giving turns your focus outward

Giving adds value to others

Giving helps the giver

Plan for & Model Generosity Daily

Give others your money

Give others yourself

“Greatness is not defined by what a person receives, but by what that

person gives.”

Managing the Discipline of Generosity

Don’t wait for prosperity to become generous

Find a reason to give every day

Find people to receive every day

Today’s VALUES Give Me Direction

Deciding to Embrace & Practice Values

Create a list of good values

Embrace those good values

Make a decision to live those values daily

Managing the Discipline of Values

Articulate & embrace your values daily

Compare your values to your practices daily

Live out your values regardless of your feelings

Evaluate each day in light of your values

Today’s GROWTH Gives Me Potential

Misconceptions About Growth

Growth is automatic

Growth comes from information

Growth comes from experience

Why Growth Matters Today

Gifting without growth leads to ineffectiveness

Growth prevents personal & professional stagnation

Your personal growth impacts your organization’s growth

Only through continuous improvement can you reach your potential

Decide to Experience Growth Daily

Answer the question: What is my potential?

Make a commitment to change

Set growth goals

Learn to enjoy the journey

Put yourself in a growth environment

Managing the Discipline of Growth

Make it your goal to grow in some way every day

Have a time and plan to grow

File what you learn

Apply what you learn