Introduction
If there’s one truth I’ve come to respect as a startup founder, it’s this: the compound effect of daily actions is real. We often chase the big breakthrough, the headline-making win — but what if the real key lies in how we live today?
That’s the premise of John C. Maxwell’s insightful book, Today Matters: 12 Daily Practices to Guarantee Tomorrow’s Success. It’s not just a guide to time management or productivity — it’s a call to intentional living, anchored in values, consistency, and personal growth.
Summary of the Book
In Today Matters, Maxwell lays out 12 core decisions and disciplines that, if practiced daily, lead to a life of purpose and progress. These include:
- Attitude – Choose to be positive.
- Priorities – Focus on what matters most.
- Health – Commit to physical and mental well-being.
- Family – Invest time in those who matter.
- Thinking – Practice reflection and innovation.
- Commitment – Follow through on your intentions.
- Finances – Live intentionally with money.
- Faith – Stay grounded in beliefs.
- Relationships – Build trust and respect.
- Generosity – Live open-handedly.
- Values – Make decisions aligned with your principles.
- Growth – Keep learning, every day.
Each of these is a daily decision — not once, not yearly, but every single day.
As Maxwell puts it: “The secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda.”
Key Takeaways
- Success is Built, Not Stumbled Upon
Big wins are the result of small, disciplined actions — stacked over time.
- Today is the Only Day You Control
You can’t change yesterday or predict tomorrow. But you can win today.
- Intentionality Beats Inspiration
Don’t wait to feel like doing something important. Do it because it’s important.
- Growth Happens in Micro-Moments
The 15 minutes you read today. The walk you take. The message you send to a teammate. They all count.
- Compounding Works for Habits Too
Just like with money, your daily actions either earn compound interest — or debt.
My Personal Experience as a Startup Founder
I’ve had my share of chaotic seasons — late nights, shifting visions, MVP launches with more bugs than features. For a while, I was reactive, always responding to what the world threw at me.
The Shift: Living Today Intentionally
I picked up Today Matters during a particularly disorienting week. The message that hit me hardest?
“You can pay now and play later. Or play now and pay later. But either way, you’re going to pay.”
That quote cracked something open for me. I started waking up and asking, What matters today? Not what’s urgent — but what’s meaningful.
How It Changed My Routine
- Morning Mindset Check: I set my attitude before opening my laptop.
- 1 Hour of Growth Daily: Podcasts, books, or writing — every single day.
- Weekly Priority Review: Are my tasks aligned with what I say I value?
- Gratitude Before Metrics: In our standups, we celebrate effort before results.
The change wasn’t immediate. But over 90 days, I saw myself becoming more calm, more focused — and our team culture followed suit.
Conclusion
Today Matters is not a book you just read — it’s one you apply. It’s not about perfect days, but about purposeful ones. As founders, leaders, and lifelong learners, our most powerful lever isn’t what we hope to do someday — it’s what we choose to do today.
So I’ll leave you with this:
What are you doing today that tomorrow will thank you for?
Because how you live today… truly matters.