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The Day Before: It’s Just About…Life

September 2, 2014 By markbrodinsky Leave a Comment

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Wake up, open your eyes and it’s already too late. Too late that is, if there is no plan.

Without a plan for this day, you’ve left it wide open to chance and luck. The world has already decided what your day will be like and you will be reacting, instead of creating. Jim Rohn, the great business and life philosopher says you should never start your day until it’s finished – on paper – the day before.

I’ve been doing this for some time now, though I just got another tip – to prioritize that list, and not just for the business of my day, but for the business of my life in that day.

For example, last night before bed I had my list together on paper and I’m going to get personal and share it with you now as an example:

_ Alarm at 5:15: while the coffee is brewing think about the 3 things that happened the day before for which I am grateful

– Look at my 3 big goals for the year

– Read 5 pages of my book in the morning (I will read 5 more pages before bed, right now that book is Season of Life, by Jeffrey Marx)

– Take my high school daughter and her friends to the bus, which is two miles from our home

– Come back home & write this blog, (I blog 3 days a week, the other 4 days I workout in the early morning),

– Walk the dog

– Get dressed and ready for work.

– Head to the office to begin my work day.

– At work I have a list – on paper – prioritized 1-to-5 of what I need to accomplish in my financial planning practice for it to be a successful day.

– At the end of my work day I create a list of my work activities for tomorrow and whatever I did not accomplish, gets moved to the top of the list for the next day. There will be things I do not accomplish and that’s OK.

– Pick up dinner with my family to take to the home of some friends who are going through some challenging times

– Get back home, help pack lunches for the next day, make sure everyone has done their homework

– Walk the dog

– Watch some baseball with the wife (unless it’s a blowout, then it’s Season 3 of Breaking Bad)

– Review my activities from the day in my daily/weekly/monthly register, mark off what I did and did not accomplish

– Plan tomorrow – I already put the work day together – but my full life day needs to have a plan

– Maybe scan Facebook and other social media

– Read 5 more pages in my book

– Bedtime

Wake up with a plan.

That’s only one day in my life and it’s not perfect, but there is a plan. (And believe me I get help, because my wife has a plan as well and she’s doing plenty of other activities to keep the family on track.) There’s a saying that no plan ever survives the front lines of battle, which is what we go into everyday in life. But even the act of planning makes me feel more in control. With no plan I’m left to spend my day like a tiny metal sphere in a pinball machine, bouncing from here to there, hoping not to drop into the chute at the bottom, where it’s game over.

It all might seem mundane and planned out and it is – because the plan will undoubtedly change – but when it does I can hopefully redirect, improvise and if I’m lucky get back on track – the track I planned out the night before. The bottom line is if there is no plan, when the you-know-what hits the fan, I’m twice as lost with nowhere to land. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail and life will take over in ways you can’t begin to imagine, because you have yet to imagine how to build an ideal life. So what’s your plan?

The planning of that ideal, that dream, that vision, begins with a plan, the smallest of steps, and cannot wait until tomorrow.

Tomorrow begins today – the day before.

Until next time, thanks for taking the time.

Mark
(http://www.talkinggood.com/profiles/MarkBrodinsky)

Mark Brodinsky, Author, Huffington Post Blogger (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-brodinsky/), Financial Services

The #1 Amazon Best-Seller: It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouses’s Story (http://www.spouses-story.com/)

Connect with Mark on this blog, on social media, or e-mail: markbrodinsky@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Blog Reviews

Love seeing new blogs hit the ground running like this one (by a dad no less), but I also urge anyone vaguely interested in blogging to stay tuned, I am. Good luck on your journey – glad that I am along for the ride.

Rachel Blaufeld

Great blog Mark! I always appreciate reading what you have to say. You are very gifted and talented and hopefully someday you’ll not just blog, but write a book.

 Stephen Koncurat

I’m definitely along for the ride. We’ve all seen how much damage the written word can inflict. More positive writers are needed. And I love how you are using your personal experiences – those with your wife and children – and your gift of writing to open eyes and to inspire others.

Victoria Endicott

Absolutely beautifully written! The girls in your life must be very proud of you. Thanks for sharing Mark, I look forward to reading more!

Gina Glick Jolson

Very shortly this site will be famous amid all blogging and site-building users, due to it’s pleasant posts.

Leila Galloway

Absolutely beautiful! Are you at all thinking of penning a book? You’ve got a fan base out there that really thinks you should Mark. You write so eloquently. Glad that I got onto this site.

Marilyn Lefkowitz

Mark, You are truly a gifted writer and obviously, a special father and husband . Always a delight to read your words.

I’m speechless…beautiful words flow from your heart just like a gentle waterfall into a tranquil stream… thank you so much for the friend request I was blessed the day I clicked confirm.

Lynne Turner Dorsey

From your first writing in 4th grade entitled “People” which was published in the school newspaper, you have always been able to write. Never more so than when you started “Caringbridge” and now your blog, everyone who reads says what a wonderful writer you are. Our DREAM for you is to become an author and encourage people every day. You are by the far the best and we hope and pray you reach your dream.

Bonnie Brodinsky

I know you always thank us for reading but I would like to say thanks for writing.

Stuart Abell

Great piece. You are an inspiration!

Rob Commodari

Mark I just wanted to let you know that you are succeeding in your “ultimate goal”. I have gained so much from your blogs. I look forward to reading them for the special lift that they give me. Thank you.

Amy F.

I love waking up and starting my day with my coffee and your blog! It a great way to start my day with positive uplifting thoughts!! It puts me in a positive frame of mind throughout the day and allows me to reflect on my personal life, make changes, and grow !!!

Gayle Blank

You are quite talented Mark. Thanks for sharing!

Cynthia

I always look forward to your Blog Mark. Thanks for sharing and as you always do, make it a great / remarkable Day!

Chuck Connolly

Thanks for your Blog Mark. It is fun, encouraging and a nice break from a day full of ups and downs.

Jackie Hetrick

With my busy schedule, there is (sadly) little time for reading. But I have two must-reads every time I come across them, the sports section and your blogs. Keep inspiring and following your dream!

Ed Nemec

Mark, you are a truly remarkable individual. You do speak from your heart, I can’t wait to read your book. You are an incredible writer.

Debbie Press

Mark, I am glad I clicked on your post this morning, which lead me to your writing, your goal.
Would like to connect. This speaks to me.

Aileen Braverman

I can’t wait to read the book. I have followed all the blogs and feel so good that I know u guys. You make me cry but you make me laugh too. All the very best to you!

Beverlee Rendelman

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WOW!!! It Takes 2 is a must read for anyone who has known someone diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening disease. This is the real story of a family lead by an incredible woman, Debbie Brodinsky, who took radical steps to beat the breast cancer beast. The story is told by her husband, Mark Brodinsky, through journal entries he kept starting with diagnosis through one year cancer free. This author's unique ability to pour his heart out onto the page draws you in from the beginning and holds you until the very end.

Thanks to Mark and Debbie Brodinsky for this gift...I have a new perspective on what it means to be a breast cancer survivor. You are a hero, Debbie Brodinsky!

TeeBThree
September 25, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book gives a heartfelt, in depth description of what it is like to go through breast cancer with the one you love. It is beautifully written and I felt as though I was living it with them! I highly recommend this book!

Jgs17
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

In It Takes 2, Mark Brodinsky windows us into his world where his wife, the cancer patient, is not the only victim. Part journal, part roadmap, It Takes 2 goes to the real humanity of facing the mortality of one's better half. Mark's candid perspective, love, and fierce intention resonate with hope in a story which is about much more than cancer. Mark himself is perhaps the most heroic character for the way he appreciates this life and so many of us in it...as he says, "thanks for caring."

Réné Pallace
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

It Takes Two: A Spouse's Story by Mark Brodinsky should be read by every person who is experiencing serious illness or injury or by a loved one of someone who is experiencing either of those situations. The book is an eloquent testament to the power of love and the healing energy derived from the belief that things will get better. There is not one word of "poor me" from the author or his wife who suffered breast cancer and the radical surgery she elected to have to beat the cancer. Rather, the book is a celebration of the courage displayed by them both in seeing it through.

The book also encourages readers to speak and write down their true feelings and be validated in them. John Mackovic writing in the Palm Springs, CA Desert Sun on November 2, 2013 quoted author and artist Doe Zantamata who said, " To be happy, you don't have to do anything new. You just have to remember how to believe again...Believe everything good is possible. Believe in your dreams. Believe in people. Believe in love. But most of all...believe in yourself." The author, his wife, their family and extended family and friends never stopped believing in his wife's recovery, and I think, in themselves. Read this book and believe.

Paul A. Riecks
November 4, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book is a must read for anyone with a family member with breast cancer. It takes you through the spouse's perspective from diagnosis to recovery. Mark journaled his wife's journey and put all of his emotions out there. It is beautifully written and inspiring to anyone going through breast cancer. Thank you, Mark for sharing Debbie's story.

Jmu1109
October 23, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

A friend recommended this book. This was a great perspective of a man standing beside his partner and passing along to the reader fear, hope, useful information and a broader story than his own. I loved Vinnie the tattoo artist. This is a great book. Thanks for sharing, Mark and "thanks for caring"

Blahsan

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book is a must read. What sets this book apart from other books about surviving breast cancer is that it is told by the husband and his point of view, not from the survivor. At times sad, at times poignant but even through the worst of it you can always feel the love he has for his wife, her strength and the strength of their extended family and friends. The posts that are included from their friends and family lets you really into the heart and strength of the family. I would recommend this book to anyone who is currently going through this, whether you are the person or the caregiver. I also recommend this book to anyone who has a friend that has been or is currently going through their fight now. It was an eye opener for me.

L. Bogash
Seven Valleys, PA

ittakes2_reviews_2

There isn't a shortage of books about breast cancer, but most are written from the perspective of the person who has battled cancer or a physician or other expert. What an enlightening experience to read about breast cancer from a husband and caregiver's perspective! Not only does the author give us insight into his wife's experience and emotions, but he openly shares and reveals his love, compassion, support, and, yes, sometimes anger at the disease as he stands by his wife's side during their journey to beat the beast. Your story may not be the same, but I guarantee if you have a loved one battling cancer, you won't go wrong reading It Takes 2.

 PattiM
September 25, 2013

 

ittakes2_reviews_2

From the moment I opened this book I never stopped reading. Mark invites the reader to come along on this journey that his family went through. I cried, laughed and learned so much. This book will give comfort and knowledge to those going through similar situations. Most importantly, Mark and his family never give up. They get knocked down and get right back up. They fought cancer together and with their strength, determination and will to prevail... They do!

 Jenny Schloss 

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