[Oct 2024] Taking each day as it comes
It can be overwhelming at times, to think about a zillion things that you want in life. Take each day as it comes and try to make each day count for something that you think is the right thing to do!
Hey Champ!
We all know the feeling — those moments when your mind is racing with a zillion thoughts, dreams, and desires. You envision your future, the milestones you want to hit, the things you want to achieve, and the person you want to become. And it all comes rushing at you, like an overwhelming tide that leaves you feeling paralyzed. What should you do first? Where do you even begin?
The truth is, it’s not just you; it’s all of us. We live in a world that constantly pushes us to think big, dream big, and set ambitious goals. And while there’s nothing wrong with ambition, it can sometimes be overwhelming. The weight of all those aspirations, goals, and societal expectations can feel like too much to carry.
But here’s a little secret that many successful people have learned along the way: You don’t have to carry it all at once. You just have to take each day as it comes and make sure that every day counts for something meaningful to you.
“कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 2.47)
Karmanyevaadhikaaraste maa phaleshu kadaachana |
Maa karmaphalaheturbhuurmaa te sangostvakarmani ||
Your right is to perform your duty only, never to its fruits. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.
The Pressure of Doing It All
In our pursuit of ‘having it all,’ we often get trapped in an exhausting mental loop. We juggle thoughts of career growth, financial goals, relationship milestones, self-improvement, and every other checkbox on the “success list.” And the sad part is, this fixation on doing it all often paralyzes us from doing anything at all.
We tend to underestimate the power of small, consistent actions, and overestimate the importance of big, grand gestures. We get stuck thinking, “I’ll start once I figure out everything,” but the reality is, life doesn’t wait for perfect moments. Sometimes, the perfect moment is simply the present one.
Taking Each Day as It Comes
So how do you make each day count? It starts with a simple mindset shift — one that focuses on today rather than tomorrow. You don’t need to conquer all your goals today, or even tomorrow. The idea is to do something today that aligns with what you want out of life.
This could be as small as reading a few pages of a book, going for a walk to clear your mind, reaching out to an old friend, or doing a single task that brings you closer to your bigger goals. Each action may seem insignificant on its own, but when you stack up those small actions over time, they collectively make a massive impact.
“उदये सविता रक्तो रक्तश्चास्तमये तथा।
सम्पत्तौ च विपत्तौ च महतामेकरूपता॥”
Udaye Savitaa Rakto Raktashchaastamaye Tathaa |
Sampattau cha vipattau cha mahataamekarupataa ||
The sun is red both at its rising and setting. Likewise, great souls remain equanimous in prosperity and adversity.
The Power of the Right Thing
It’s important to clarify that making each day count isn’t about being overly productive or constantly hustling. It’s about doing the right thing for that day, whatever that may be for you. On some days, the right thing could be pushing yourself to get a workout in. On other days, it could be simply taking a break to reflect, recharge, or spend time with loved ones.
The key is to ask yourself at the start of each day, “What is one thing I can do today that will help me move closer to the life I want to live?” And then, just do that one thing.
This shift from trying to achieve it all to doing what feels right can drastically reduce the pressure you put on yourself. And it’s surprising how much lighter you feel when you don’t force yourself to juggle every ball in the air.
Letting Go of Perfection
Perfection is the enemy of progress. The quest to be perfect often stops us from getting started at all. We think, “I need the perfect plan, the perfect timing, the perfect skills,” but in reality, perfection is an illusion.
Instead, focus on progress. Small, consistent progress is what will help you make those days count. Whether you’re taking baby steps or giant leaps, as long as you’re moving forward, you’re doing great.
So, let go of the need to have it all figured out. Understand that life is a journey, and it’s okay to not have every step mapped out. Allow yourself to grow, learn, stumble, and keep moving ahead — one day at a time.
“यथा हि एकेन चक्रेण न रथस्य गतिः भवेत्।
एवं पुरुषकारेण विना दैवं न सिद्ध्यति॥”
Yathaa hi ekena chakrena na rathasya gatih bhavet |
Evam purushakaarena vinaa daivam na siddhyati ||
Just as a chariot does not move with only one wheel, so too, destiny (daivam) cannot be achieved without effort (purushakaar).
Make Each Day Count — Your Way
What makes a day count varies from person to person. It depends on what you value and what makes you feel fulfilled. Some days will feel productive; others may not. And that’s okay. Life isn’t meant to be a race toward some distant finish line. It’s about finding joy, meaning, and purpose in the everyday moments.
So, if today feels overwhelming and the future seems far too distant to reach, take a deep breath and remind yourself: Just take it one day at a time. Focus on what you can do today, in this moment, to make your life just a little better than it was yesterday.
One day, you’ll look back and see how all those ‘one things’ you did every day stacked up to create the life you dreamed of. And you’ll be proud of how far you’ve come — not because you achieved everything you ever wanted all at once, but because you made every day count for something that mattered to you.
Conclusion
It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and the pressure of wanting to achieve everything, but taking life one day at a time can be freeing. Remember that it’s not about perfection or doing everything all at once. It’s about showing up each day and doing what feels right for that day. So take each day as it comes, and make it count — your way.