LIVING EACH DAY AS IF
IT WERE YOUR LAST

WHENEVER I READ ABOUT SOMEONE WHO HAS PASSED away, I always count the years between the brackets. I suggest you do the same. James Dean was only twenty-four when he was killed in a car crash. I assure you, he did not plan on September 30, 1955, being his last day. But he could have, if he had lived as if it were.

I know that “live this day as if it were your last” is an old and tired cliché that is often written or spoken with little thought to it. But there’s a reason why it is used so much. Let me explain.

The reality of that statement is this: if you were actually told that today was your last day, you’d waste hours trying to figure out exactly how you should be spending your final moments.

That’s why “live this day as if it were your last” isn’t about action. If it were about action, most people would blow off work and ignore 99 percent of their daily responsibilities, just trying to decide what to do. You wouldn’t accomplish much for the long term. So it’s not about actions. It’s about mind-set. It is a thought process.

If it rained all day when you were expecting it to be sunny, would you be happy or a little bummed out? But what if it was the last time you were ever going to see it rain? You may see it as beautiful, because rain is beautiful. It grows life and sustains it for every living thing on the planet. And it smells like nothing else. Those rain-scented air fresheners and candles always disappoint me. They never come close to capturing it.

What about a paper cut? Would you complain about that sharp little pain or—if it were your last day—would you marvel at how your body will have practically healed it in just a few hours? It’s all about eternal perspective.

Over thirty-five years ago, I read a book called The Greatest Salesman in the World by a man named Og Mandino.² It is a tiny book—a parable set in the time just before Christianity. It combines spirituality and mythology into a message of life-changing inspiration. The main character, a poor camel boy named Hafid, is given ten scrolls. Each scroll imparts critical wisdom and life principles, helping him achieve a life of abundance. The theme of the fifth scroll is “I will live this day as if it is my last.” It is a couple of pages long and takes about five minutes to read.

Every day, for one month, I would read one of the scrolls aloud three times a day. I did this for five years. So, for one month a year during this five-year period, I would read the fifth scroll aloud to myself in the morning, afternoon, and evening. After doing that, it was kind of hard not to constantly have the last-day mind-set.

It is imperative that you get yourself a copy of this book solely for the purpose of the fifth scroll. The whole book is amazing, but the fifth scroll will be of tremendous value to you.

Let’s be frank. The reason why most people are unable to live with this mentality is that it’s tough. It takes discipline, patience, and even courage because it requires you to live in a way that is contrary to how the majority of people around you are living their lives.

There are, however, three things you can do to make getting into this mind-set a little bit easier on yourself.

1. CREATE A LIFE STATEMENT

Three simple sentences changed my life for thirty-five years. I discovered this little prayer while working with the Southwestern Publishing Company’s summer program in 1975.

In this program, I was trained in life skills such as independence, confidence, self-motivation, and goal setting. I ran my own business selling educational books to families throughout the farmlands of Wisconsin.

I have said the following little prayer literally thousands of times. It has saved me from inactivity, helped me see how to overcome insurmountable obstacles, and catapulted me into massive action, a little term I like to use that simply means accomplishing critical tasks rapidly. I have said this prayer every time I ever felt like I was at the end of my rope. It comes from The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, which was first published in 1952, and it’s still completely relevant and applicable today.

Hear it. Memorize it. Claim it. Make it yours this day and every day for the rest of your life:

I BELIEVE I AM ALWAYS DIVINELY GUIDED.

I BELIEVE I WILL ALWAYS TAKE THE RIGHT TURN IN THE ROAD.

AND I BELIEVE GOD WILL ALWAYS MAKE A WAY WHERE THERE IS NO WAY.³

Do you see the power in this prayer? It literally covers any situation, problem, difficulty, setback, tragedy, or disaster that you will ever experience in life. Totally life encompassing!

Think of a challenge you are dealing with right now. One of these sentences directly addresses that challenge. It will give you hope and enable you to move forward with certainty. It’s that powerful. Trust me.

2. CONTACT IMPORTANT PEOPLE

Which people matter most to you in life? Are there things you need to share with them? How can you express gratitude to them today? You can call or do something as simple as writing a letter or an e-mail.

Years ago, I wrote my mom and dad each a letter just to thank them for having me. That’s an extraordinary concept we do not think about often enough. Think about it. You and I would not be on this planet if our mothers and fathers had not given birth to us. It is a special bond that should never be forgotten, neglected, or undersold.

Even if you don’t know your parents, have lost your parents, or have struggled with them, you can still write that letter of gratitude. Even if you can’t or don’t send it, it will still be a magical, healing, and empowering life experience. I promise.

Never forget the people who count in your life—not just parents but the other important people as well: teachers, mentors, spouses, friends, and more. Never forget what they’ve done for you. Honor them visibly. Let them know they matter and are critical to your life. Always.

Something occurred to me after talking to a highly sought-after speaker who receives a standing ovation almost every time he speaks: Very few people on the planet will ever receive a standing ovation for anything they do in their entire lives.

Suddenly, I took it upon myself to give everyone a standing ovation every day, every chance I could. It did not have to be a big deal. I knew I had to master celebrating the baby steps—the little accomplishments along the way—for myself and others.

At first most people will not even know how to respond. But continue to celebrate. Soon others will join you in the celebration. Surprisingly, this seems to be one of those things that have to be learned and experienced.

Applaud everyone you can today. Step up and stand up! Yell loud and long. Celebrate who they are and who they are becoming.

3. NUMBER YOUR DAYS, DAILY

You already know the story behind this one. Don’t underestimate its power. Stop counting days down. Instead, count them up! Marvel at how many you’ve been allowed to spend on this planet. And never forget that each one could be your last.

There is no thought that will purge your priorities of worthless and worldly tastes like that of your impending death. Ponder the kind of life you would like to look back on when you come to die. There is enormous wisdom in such thoughts and meditation. Think often of your death. It is essential to understand that you have been dying since the day you were born.