Here’s Why You Should Maximize Each Day and How to Start

When was the last time you were reminded of the fragility of life?

For me it happened just a week ago. A college classmate of mine passed away unexpectedly. True, he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer just 5 weeks earlier. But only 24 hours before death he had stood and shared his story to a group of 1500 players at a church softball tourney.

And now he’s gone. If you are interested, here’s a video tribute of my friend. His funeral is in a couple of days.

Life is fragile. Life is fleeting. Life is a precious gift.

This is not a news flash to you. We all know how true it is. But we’ve become masters at lying to ourselves. The lie, common to everyone, is that it won’t happen to us. We cling to the illogical delusion that our own death is eons away.

We are like aging ostriches with our heads buried in the sands of denial.

But, and here’s the point, when we embrace the truth that life is a fragile gift, something magical happens. We start to maximize each day.

Years ago I visited a man in the hospital who suffered from cancer. He used a phrase that was new to me. He talked about “the gift of cancer.” He went on to explain that the illness taught him to highly value each day. He determined to squeeze every drop of good from each day.

I have an idea. Why not adopt this truth before a devastating disease decks us? What would happen if you and I decided to maximize each day right now? Imagine how improved your life would become.

Here’s a few ideas to help you get started:

To maximize each day stop wasting time.

It amazes me how much time I waste. It’s as though I think my days on earth are endless. If you believe in the fragility of life you would ruthlessly stamp out wasted hours.

To maximize each day, think through what is most important in life.

Too often we find ourselves pursuing things which ultimately won’t matter. Since time is limited we ought to make sure we chase things of critical importance.

To maximize each day, determine what broken relationships need to be mended.

How tragic to think that any life would end without first mending broken relationships. It’s pretty tough to heal a relationship if death steps in and cuts the process short.

To maximize each day, reassess the direction your life is heading.

You’ve spent decades walking down the path of life. It’s not too late to make sure your life is headed in the right direction.

To maximize each day, pick one major goal to transform your life.

Figure out the one best thing you can do to improve your life after it like a political pundit going after a stumbling political candidate. Kill a habit, learn a skill, start a business, get therapy, write a book, or chase a dream.

Life is fragile. Life is fleeting. Life is a precious gift.

Join me in making the rest of life the best of life. It’s time to maximize your life.

What did I miss? What comes to your mind as you think of maximizing your life? What are you doing right now to maximize every moment?