Most of us probably think we’re rather ordinary, average, mediocre, active yet ineffective, moving but not towards our dreams. We pootle along doing what we do without thinking how simple things can turn our ordinary day into something rather extraordinary. And that extraordinary day might be for you, but it might impact someone else too and turn their day into an extraordinary one too.
An article by Dan Waldschmidt for Success Magazine described how “extraordinary starts with you—perhaps an ordinary person at an ordinary job doing ordinary things on an ordinary day. No special advantages. No remarkable skills that can’t be duplicated. No large bank account. Just all-around “ordinary.”
Then, you decide to do something extra. To be something extra. Something a lot-a-bit extra. And not just one time. But day after day after day.
And then one day, everyone watching you will notice that “ordinary” is no longer an accurate description for the person you have become. For what you have done. And they will shake their heads and remark that what they have seen is extraordinary. Because it was. And because you will be.
And that’s how extraordinary happens.”
Being extraordinary doesn’t have to break the bank, or even necessarily put you out of your way much. It can be really simple, if you want it to be.
Waldschmidt listed 126 ways in which you could choose to extraordinary in everyday ordinary situations. And yes, I’m going to list them all!
If you do one thing today, make it extraordinary. Which one would you choose to focus on? I might go with number 61 😊
1. Open the door for a stranger.
2. Say, “Thank you.”
4. Stop whining.
5. Fear less.
6. Be kind.
8. Lead someone.
10. Choose a side.
11. Pay more for quality.
12. Lend a hand.
13. Let past mistakes go.
14. Be invincible.
15. Be more efficient with your time.
16. Stop playing politics.
18. Be an expert.
19. Stop defending yourself.
20. Decide to take action today.
22. Laugh at life.
23. Go to bed tired.
24. Ask what you can do better.
25. Give a stranger flowers.
26. Hold the elevator door.
27. Compliment a great idea.
28. Work on being patient.
29. Create what’s missing.
31. Practice getting back up.
32. Shake hands while looking the other person in the eye.
33. Assume the best in others.
35. Listen to your critic.
37. Donate time to charity.
38. Teach what you’ve learned.
39. Give an opinion when it’s hard.
40. Care about others.
41. Pay attention to the details.
42. Be a friend.
43. Do physical labor.
45. Share more.
46. Love someone.
47. Have a dream.
48. Get up an hour earlier.
50. Apologize more.
52. Put yourself in tough places.
53. Cry when you are hurt.
55. Don’t stop until you finish.
56. Be passionate about others.
57. Pay attention to the conversation.
58. Appreciate differences.
59. Be less selfish.
60. Ease someone else’s pain.
61. Imagine the possibilities.
62. Smile at those around you.
63. Care enough to cry.
64. Make a call because “you’re thinking about them.”
65. Be a mentor.
66. Fail gracefully.
67. Practice being vulnerable.
69. Ask more questions.
72. Think for yourself.
73. Put in more effort.
74. Ask for help.
75. Tell the truth.
77. Decide not to get angry.
78. Explore new ideas.
79. Be more effective with your talents.
80. Slow down (for a few minutes).
81. Pursue your goals each day.
82. Make a list of tasks to get done.
83. Live with honor.
85. Avoid the crowd.
86. Stop being passive aggressive.
87. Find answers to your questions.
88. Be accountable.
89. Work on your biggest weakness.
90. Replace “No” with “No thanks.”
91. Let someone else get the attention.
92. Listen with your eyes.
93. Say what’s on your mind.
95. Shake off the straws before they break your back.
96. Offer encouragement.
98. Don’t do anything halfway.
99. Do good things for the right reasons.
100. Get help for your head.
101. Demand brutal analysis of your actions.
102. Put in the effort you expect of others.
103. Share a good example.
104. Offer to buy dinner or dessert.
105. Decide to learn from everyone.
106. Make a big deal of small wins.
107. Let life happen around you.
108. Have a big vision for those around you.
109. Enjoy others’ success.
110. Inspire others quietly.
111. Deliberately invest in healing.
112. Welcome diverse perspectives.
113. Don’t go to bed angry.
114. Anticipate the success of others.
115. Value your own time.
116. Ask others to “pay it forward.”
117. Write a kind note.
118. Offer to help for free.
119. Have a plan.
120. Overlook immaturity.
121. Care less about being right.
122. Schedule time to invest in others.
123. Give away your best idea.
124. Stop being offended so easily.
126. Decide that caring is more important than winning.
Bells, Bakes & Bettering Myself 
Experienced 106 on Tuesday. Plan on doing 118 today. Great list, I might use it 😀
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