Today might be Thursday.

Over the past few days, three words have ruminated in my head and caused me to rearrange my priorities and actions in a way I never thought possible.

What are these three words, you might ask?

I’m glad you asked.

One wouldn’t think much of these words. The simplicity can cause them to be overlooked.

But here they are–

Every day counts.

So simple, yet so profound. Right?

You see, I am a person who can become easily overwhelmed. I see a huge task or vision ahead but can’t see the small steps to get there. Starting seems daunting, so I usually quit in early stages because I don’t know all the in-betweens.

In the last year, I have learned a little secret.

Just start.

Instead of coming up with a huge plan of execution as I have done in the past (and failed at), I would just start. Not gonna lie. It was messy. I had to reroute a time or two. But eventually I found my flow and what was once daunting for me is now a part of my daily habits.

Recently, there are several areas in my life in which I would like to see growth. I see the end result and look at all the in-between steps and like clock work, I get overwhelmed and want to back up on my vision.

Then I hear these words in the midst of it all.

Every. Day. Counts.

I used to have a boss that would have me handle tasks immediately and not keep it waiting on a task list for me to do later. He knew I was a procrastinator. (Any procrastinators in the house?)

In forcing me to handle things immediately, he was showing me that if I just do it, it actually isn’t as overwhelming of a task as I think it is. And he was right. Although there were many times it frustrated me that he made me do that, I learned the importance of just doing it. Thanks Nike.

So, knowing that who I am today leads to who I will be tomorrow, there’s only one thing to do.

Start.

It doesn’t have to be pretty or perfect. I just have to start living my life in the direction I want to see it go.

Many of us have an “I’m going to start tomorrow” or “I’m going to start Monday” mentality. But let’s face it. That mentality never gets us anywhere.

The “tomorrow” or “Monday” mentality causes us to believe we are powerless over today. As soon as Monday becomes “today,” we still have that powerless mindset. So as soon as things go south, we wait for the next “tomorrow” or “Monday” to come around. And the cycle continues...

“Tomorrow” mentalities are often those who when they fall off the wagon, they stay off. “Every day counts” mentalities fall off but then chase the wagon to get back on.

Today might be Thursday.

In fact, you may have already started the day off on the wrong foot by eating that food you weren’t supposed to eat or having a bad attitude with your spouse even though you PROMISED you would do better.

But that’s okay.

It’s still not too late to start again. Right now. In this moment. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Don’t wait until Monday.

Start that book. Choose to have a better attitude. Get that heart rate up. Choose a healthier food option. Start it now. You have power over today.

Maybe just maybe, the person I become today turns into the person I become in a week, to the person I become in months, years, and even decades.

Your future self deserves you showing up today giving it all you’ve got.

Anyway..

Every day counts. Remember that.

Yours truly,

Bethany