I have good days. I have bad days. I have days when I feel I could work all day and night, and days when work is the last thing I want to do. Some days, I feel like I could run a marathon, while on others, I struggle to get out of bed.
These extremes are unusual. A typical day lies somewhere in the middle. I wake up energized and ready to take on the day. Although I enjoy going to work, after eight hours, I need a break—a 30-minute jog is usually sufficient to reset my energy. However, what makes a typical day fulfilling isn’t my energy level but my commitment to clear values. No matter where I fall on the energy spectrum, I ensure that I incorporate my core values into my day.
Core Values
In the midst of fluctuating energy levels, I’ve found stability through three guiding principles: honesty, respect, and gratitude.
Honesty
Every day, I strive to be honest with others and myself. I ask myself, What can I do today? Am I being ambitious? Am I challenging myself? Planning my day the night before helps me stay focused and reassess my priorities as needed. As part of my nightly routine, I take ten minutes to write down three things I want to accomplish the next day, prioritizing them in order of importance. Waking up with a plan means I can devote my energy to meaningful objectives instead of minor tasks like choosing an outfit or deciding what to do first.
Respect
I also make a conscious effort to respect and value others. I take time to listen, acknowledge different opinions, and understand perspectives that may not align with mine. On days when my energy is low, I struggle with patience. However, I remind myself that I control my reactions—I can choose to show respect regardless of how I feel.
Gratitude
Finally, I practice gratitude. I appreciate everything I have in my life: a fulfilling job, a home, a healthy family, and the ability to eat three meals a day. I do not take any of these things for granted. These essentials sustain me, and everything else is extra.
Setting Yourself Up for Success
Day in and day out, I adhere to these three values, no matter how I feel. By doing so, I increase my chances of having a great day. As Marcus Aurelius wrote, “It’s about not giving up, not giving in, not letting fate or misfortune break you. It’s about loving life despite it all.”
Whatever the day brings, set yourself up for success. Know what drives you and gives you energy, and incorporate it into your daily life.
Take care.