The Monday Memo usually offers an idea about how to begin the day or begin the week. Today’s memo is a suggestion for the end of the day.
In The 360° Leader, John Maxwell talks about a strategy he uses for managing his life. Each day as he looks at his schedule, he asks himself, “What is the main event of the day?”
In other words, he asks what is the one thing planned for the day that he cannot afford to give less than his best. It’s certainly a good habit.
Here’s another good habit: Late each evening, before the sandman visits, take a few moments to evaluate the most significant events of the day.
BEN FRANKLIN’S QUESTIONS. Along these lines, it was Benjamin Franklin’s habit to ask himself two questions everyday.
In the morning he would ask: “What good shall I do today?”
In the evening he would ask: “What good have I done today?”
THE TOP STORY. Imagine this: If your life was a newspaper, which of today’s events would have made the front page? And what would be the headline?
Choosing the top story of the day isn’t as easy as it sounds, because our days can be a blur, spent scrambling from one non-newsworthy event to the next.
But if you know the story will be reported at the end of the day, it just might help you stay focused on what matters most during the daylight hours.
Some days, the headline might might be that you finished a long overdue project. Or that you spent time with your family. Or you served others in a meaningful capacity.
Planning your day is a crucial step to success. Evaluating your days — looking back at what God accomplished through you today — is another crucial step.
I encourage you: get in the habit of identifying the top story of the day, every day.
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 92:12)
