How To Be A Day Maker
In reality, everyone is either a Day Maker – or a Day breaker
Everyone loves to have a good day. We hope, when we wake up, that each day will somehow be a better day where everything will come together. As humans, we are a hopeful bunch. Whatever our circumstances, we inherently seek better days. We also long for connection, meaning, and affirmation. In short, we want to be noticed and appreciated.
In comes the Day Maker Movement. What is the Day Maker Movement and how did it start? In his book, The Life of a Daymaker, author David Wagner recounts his story. Back in the 1980s, which was a time of excessive materialism and a focus on Me, Myself, and I, a salon spa owner named David Wagner, tired of this self-centered focus, decided that he wanted to do business differently. He wanted to bring more meaning and purpose to his business and make it people-centered. He began focusing on giving his clients attention and compassion to not only provide salon-spa services but also and more importantly, human kindness.
So, what is a Day Maker?
A Day Maker is a person who:
“performs intentional acts of kindness with the intention of making the world a better place.”
On one particular day in 1986, one of his regular clients came into his salon-spa asking to have her hair earlier than usual saying that she wanted to look good and feel good that day. Wagner gave her first-class treatment with special attention and lots of friendly kindness that day. What he was unaware of at the time, but found out later, is that this client had wanted to get her hair done for her funeral as she was planning to commit suicide that day. This client sent him a note later on essentially saying that he had given her new hope and that she had decided not to go through with her plans.
What a beautiful example of how the attitude of kindness can impact another person’s life in a positive way. Every day we have the opportunity to do the same. Every day we can make a decision, be it ever so small, something nice for someone else and, we may never know what kind of difference we have made in their life.
God dcoesn’t need you to save the world; just change your world 1 person at a time – Daymaker
The Word of God gives us the two great commandments:
- Love the Lord with all your heart soul and mind
- Love your neighbor as yourself
Being a Daymaker is essentially putting these two commandments into daily practice. It is the practice of keeping the main thing the main thing and the main thing is loving others through the power of God’s love. Although this is a simple concept, it can feel very overwhelming when we try to think of where to start. after all, we already have so many things on our plate to do. How can we possibly add more or remember to do these?
I believe it is always best to start small when adopting new habits. begin with just one thing you can do and focus on doing this well. You don,t have to change everything overnight, just try a small action. Below are a few suggestions to help get you started in becoming someone’s Day Maker.
1. Pay it forward with a coffee
How much does a regular cup of coffee cost? Maybe $3 max.? What about paying for the next person in line’s coffee? It doesn’t take any extra time and you are there anyway, so why not? You may never hear them say thank you or get any reaction at all, but how beautiful is the feeling that you have done one simple thing to make someone’s day a little better.
2. Send random notes of encouragement
Why not write positive notes of encouragement and become the unknown encourager by leaving these notes around on tables in public places. Imagine how a person’s face, whom you will probably never meet, will light up at reading your note. You may not ever know their reality, what they may be going through, but you can be a shining star in their day for a moment.
3. Use their name
The most beloved word to a person is their name. A name carries their identity, who they are. Become a noticer of names and a user of names. Try to use the other person’s name in a conversation with them. Doing this will make them feel special and they will most likely warm up to you much more easily than if you had not used their name. Using the names of people in conversation with them builds connections.
4. Random compliments to strangers
People are always surprised by hearing a compliment from a total stranger. It catches them off guard. I have done this, giving a compliment to complete strangers and it is always interesting to see the reaction. Imagine someone doing this to you. wouldn’t you feel a boost of energy? I certainly would, by virtue of the fact that it is completely unexpected. Try this and see how it makes people smile. Find something particular about them that you would like to highlight.
5. Use Social media to praise people
Social media is used to communicate all sorts of information, both positive and negative. Amid all the information communicated in social media, how refreshing would it be to highlight someone you know – their accomplishments or simply to tell the world of social media how much you appreciate them. Public recognition is always a booster.
6. Give someone a call
In our “texting” world, giving someone a call is often considered superfluous, slow and unnecessary. We prefer the relatively more impersonal way of communicating that text messaging offers. But, as we all know, nothing can replace the sound of the human voice to communicate meaning and emotions. Because calling someone is increasingly rare, it is all the more special when we give someone a call to see how they are doing and to let them know we are thinking of them.
7. Send a handwritten note
Once again, with texting and emailing, handwritten notes are almost a relic of the past. But, how beautiful it is to know that someone has taken the time to write us a handwritten note. The impact of our message will be far greater than if it had been sent any other way and it makes the receiver feel extra special. It is probably not a good idea to do this with all of our communications, but, once in a while, it can have a hugely positive impact.
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Diana Lynne’s passions are family, traveling, learning, and pursuing a debt-free life. She also loves hanging out with family,& friends. Diana is a Quebec City girl. who loves living life. You can connect with her through Livingandstuff.ca
