This is the first of three posts discussing the book “20,000 Days And Counting” by Robert D. Smith. Smith has taken a very interesting and compelling look at what his life represented during the first 20,000 days and more importantly, the next 20,000.
If you do the math, you will see that 20,000 days represents more than 54 years on this earth. Smith takes an aggressive approach to how he will live out his remaining days to the fullest.
As he puts it, “What can you do right now in order to make the most out of the years in front of us? What can we do to accomplish more, to celebrate more, to touch more lives in our remaining years than we have to this point?”
These three posts will summarize Smith’s “Crash Course for Mastering Your Life RIGHT NOW.”
Part one discusses the “20,000 Day Mind-Set.” Part two deals with “Beating the Clock” and part three makes the simple statement that “Today is Day One.”
THE 20,000 DAY MIND-SET
Smith tells the story of a good friend of his that died in a freak playground accident when they were teenagers. After that, as Smith describes, “Every day became a mission to find out why I was here and what I was supposed to do with mt life.”
I don’t think it is a coincidence that I read those words on the same day that tragedy struck during the Boston Marathon. Why is it that so many cases, it takes some sort of tragedy to prompt us to evaluate what we are doing with our life? We should have this type of mind-set everyday. That is exactly what Smith is saying in this first section of the book.
(Side thought here – please continue to keep those impacted by the events in Boston in your thoughts and prayers.)
Smith goes on to describe the different ways he has changed his thinking to maximize every minute of every day. As he puts it, “Time is merely the measure of passing events … don’t focus on time, but on the events themselves. When you control the event, you control your life.”
Interesting thought! Where is our focus? I know where I have often found mine – on time. I don’t have enough time. I wish I had more time. We get so focused on time, we do forget to focus on what we are doing with it. For me, this was a huge takeaway.
“Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.” – James Dean
James Dean lived exactly 9,000 days before his untimely death in a car accident. From what I know about James Dean, he lived up to his quote. That being said, I wonder what opportunities he might have missed in those 9,000 days.
Smith provides three things that help us create this mind-set:
- Create a life statement
- Contact Important People
- Number your days, daily
I think he is right. He makes a statement that really made me think.
“Very few people on the planet will ever receive a standing ovation for anything they do in their entire lives.”
So my question today … What will you do in your remaining days that deserves a standing ovation?
Find out more about Robert D. Smith by clicking here
Next Wednesday, in Part 2, we will take a look at Beating The Clock
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Barry Smith www.buildingwhatmatters.com 4/17/13 photo courtesy of Amazon
I don’t think I do anything that deserves a standing ovation. My daily focus is to do everything I can every day. As a mom of 5 and a homeschooler, I never feel “caught up” on any of the daily tasks. But I just keep busy and do what I can. From seizing teaching moments, to chores, to my writing. I figure if I’m doing something with as many moments that I’m awake as possible, then I’m making forward progress. Thanks for this post!
Mom of 5. Homeschooling. I am standing up and clapping right now. Clearly your focus is on your kids right now and rightfully so. Don’t let that hold you back from thinking about the day when they finally move out. Dream Big Regina!
Oh, such a fantabulous reminder that our days go by in a blur and then tragedy hits, whether a public one or something private.
In my case, I had a whole series of illnesses that left me focused on healing and then on what I could do moving forward and how I could do the best where I am.
Sharing prayers of love and healing for the victims of the Boston Marthon tragedy and on all those situations in the world where we forget to send love, every moment, of every day.
Thanks MamaRed. Glad to hear you overcame adversity and have made good use of your time. Thanks for your continued support for our bothers and sisters in Boston.
‘why it takes some sort of tragedy to prompt us to evaluate what we are doing with our life?’…. I always wonder the same thing, too. I guess it is because in those times we see our frailty.
Great post, Barry.
Great point Carlana. I might choose the world vulnerability as well. Thanks for the contribution and continued support.
Feeling considerably older … after reading this blog post.
But I like the purposefulness of it.
Visiting from the Ultimate Blog Challenge – doing EIGHT blogs!
Young or old, we can still make a difference. The key for me is that no matter how long we have left, we can make it count! Thanks Linda.
So interesting to put your life into days! Some people wait till it’s too late to take stock of what really matters. Life needs to be lived to the fullest.
Totally agree Toni. Focusing on the things that matter really are the key to living a full life.
Wow. Number your days daily. Talk about creating awareness of the choices we’re making and ensuring that every day counts. Look forward to reading the next two posts in the series. I’m looking forward to my next 20,000 days.
Thanks Alli. This different take has really made me take a look at what I am doing with each day.