Make Each Day Your Masterpiece

Focus on today, living life as though it's the championship game.

Table of Contents:

1. Baby Steps
2. Feature Article: MAKE EACH DAY YOUR MASTERPIECE
3. Quotes
4. Recommended Resources: Life Mastery
5. Self-Care
6. Final Thoughts: Today

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1. Baby Steps

If this day were a painting, would it be a masterpiece when it's
done? Embrace life as it happens. Seize the day. Make each day
your masterpiece!

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2. Feature Article: MAKE EACH DAY YOUR MASTERPIECE

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden was the most successful
basketball coach of all time. The accomplishments set by his UCLA
teams include 10 NCAA championships in 12 years, and 4 full
undefeated seasons. But what few people realize is that Wooden was
a model of success not only in basketball, but also in life. Wooden's
non-basketball honors include being named California "Sports Father
of the Year" and receiving the "Bellarmine Medal of Excellence"
(joining such other recipients as Mother Teresa and Walter Cronkite).

Several traits contributed to his success both on and off the court,
and Wooden's success philosophy is divulged in his famous "Pyramid
of Success." But the one that stands out more than any other is the
advice given to him by his father when Wooden was a little boy--
"Make each day your masterpiece."

Wooden understood that we can't change the past, and that we
shouldn't live in the future. While we can certainly learn from the
past, and we can definitely do things now that will affect the future,
Wooden knew that life is happening right now. He focused on today,
both in his personal life and as a coach. Wooden wanted to end each
day thinking that he had done his best. And he instilled this
philosophy on his players.

How about you? Are you living each day as though it's the
championship game? Or do you live your life as though it's a
practice for some game in the future? If this day were a painting,
would it be a masterpiece when it's done?

Here are some things you can do immediately that will help you
daily to create your masterpiece:

1. At the beginning of each day (or the night before), ask yourself
this question: What is the single most important thing that I can do
today to make my life a masterpiece? Whatever your answer, make
sure your focus throughout the day remains on that one thing.

2. At the end of the day, ask yourself the following questions: Did
I do my best today? What worked? What didn't work? Exploring the
answer to these questions (1) provides a formula for discovering and
appreciating the things in your life that are going well, and (2)
clarifies where you might have fallen short.

3. Keep a record of the results you are noticing. A journal is a
tool that many people use for this purpose. By recording answers to
the questions above, you will begin to see patterns. Some activities
produce desired results, and some don't. As you create your
masterpiece, you will want to duplicate your successes, and eliminate
those learning experiences that didn't produce the desired results.

Embrace life as it happens. Focus on this day--the only one you
can control. And remember...Make each day your masterpiece!

If you have been successful in applying these techniques, please
share your story with us! And if there are other tips that you think
should have been included, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!
brian@lifeexcellence.com.

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3. Quotes

The beginning is always today.
Mary Wollstonecraft

Life is a succession of moments. To live each one is to succeed.
Corita Kent

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to
live forever.
Gandhi

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today?
Today is a gift. That's why we call it The Present.
Babatunde Olatunji

It's never too late to be what you might have been.
George Eliot

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4. Recommended Resources: Life Mastery

Take Charge of Your Life
by Jim Rohn

America's foremost business philosopher arms you with tools
to improve the quality of your life. Jim is a pleasure to listen to,
and his talks are chock full of ideas to help you achieve personal
success.
To order tape set, click here

Lessons in Mastery
by Anthony Robbins

Learn how to use your personal power to create an
extraordinary life!
To order tape set, click here

The Power of Focus
by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Les Hewitt

This book provides a practical guide for achieving desired results
in the key areas of your life. The action steps at the end of each
chapter make it easy to formulate your plan and then implement
it immediately in your life.
To order book, click here

Dare to Win
by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

Yes, the Chicken Soup guys again! You may as well just put all
their books on your reading list, because they're all great! This
book provides techniques to help you achieve the things you want
in life. Read the book, and begin applying its ideas immediately.
To order book, click here

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5. Self-Care

It's blueberry season here in Michigan, and my family picked a
bunch. It's wonderful that something that tastes so good is also
so good for you!

Blueberries have been found to help the body fight aging, cancer
and heart disease. And the chemicals that make blueberries blue,
anthocyanins, are actually powerful antioxidants. In fact, blueberries
are one of the richest sources of antioxidants of all fresh fruits and
vegetables. They are also a great source of vitamin C and fiber.

Blueberries are delicious by the handful, sprinkled over cereal, or
in a fruit salad. To enjoy them year round, try freezing them. Eat
blueberries every day you can. They taste great, and your body
will thank you!

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6. Final Thoughts: Today

This is the beginning of a new day.
I can waste it, or use it for good.
But what I do today is important,
Because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever,
Leaving in it's place something that I have traded for it.
I want it to be gain and not loss, good and not evil,
Success and not failure, in order that I not regret the price
I have paid for it.
I will give 100% of myself just for today, for you never fail
Until you stop trying.
I will be the kind of person I have always wanted to be...
I have been given this day to use as I will.
Anonymous

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Thank you for reading the LifeExcellence Newsletter.
CREATE A MASTERPIECE every day this week!
- Brian Bartes

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For more information on coaching, please visit our website at
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