Only Today Matters

Be prepared!  That is the Boy Scout motto and should be the motto of all success-minded people.  Why?  Because only the prepared can be ready to make the most of each day as they travel on their journey to achievement.  If you are not prepared for what may happen during your day - good or bad - you will not be able to make the most of it.   

Preparing for your tomorrows is always based on how you handle your today.  You must do well today if you hope to have a successful tomorrow.  Too many people think they can put things off, relax and let down their guard or only give a little today and make up for it tomorrow, but that is not how it works.  The great coach, John Wooden use to tell his players that they could only give 100%.  If you only gave 80% today, you could not give 120% tomorrow.  The best anyone can do is 100% and if you do not give that you lose the rest. 

One of the goals in Scouting is to teach boys to become self-sufficient. They learn how to take care of themselves in all that may come their way. Scouts know that it is their responsibility to be ready for whatever comes their way. Since they cannot project themselves into the future and see what is coming, they learn today what they may need to know tomorrow. 

“The best preparation for tomorrow is to do today's work extremely well.” 

– William Olser 

1849-1919 

Scientist 

Let's look at today and what you can do to make it count and be at your best tomorrow. 

Start Strong 

Set yourself up for a good day right from the start.  Get a good night's sleep so you are well rested.  Get up at a reasonable time and get ready for the day.  Do not sit around half the day before you do anything to move yourself forward.  Get up, clean up, dress up and go for it! 

Starting strong is having a plan on what you need to do today.  The best time for this is the night before.  Look at your schedule and know what needs to be done and the degree of importance things have.  If possible, tackle the hardest things first so you can do them well.  The hardest tasks we have often take the most time; if you put off starting you may not be able to finish. 

Start the day with a positive attitude and a can-do mind set.  See the day as a gift and you can make it a great one.  It is always up to you. 

End Strong 

Starting strong means ending strong.  You can look back over your day and know that you achieved all you needed to for that one day.  There is nothing undone for tomorrow.  This does not mean you have nothing to do tomorrow, each day has its own stuff.  You can see that you made today count. 

As you end the day take time to plan for your tomorrow.  Make your list of tasks that need to be done and their order of importance.  Now you know that when tomorrow becomes today you are prepared and will greet it with enthusiasm and energy.  Get to bed at a reasonable time and get the rest you need to face the exciting adventure which will be ahead. 

You matter!  You matter to the world and to yourself.  Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world. 

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2018 John Patrick Hickey