20 Simple Ways To Turn Your Bad Day Into A Great Day
Jan

If you haven’t noticed already, I tend to be a somewhat cynical and morose writer. That just comes from living the grind for so many years. I write from the heart and evidently my heart is filled with darkness and misery.
If you struggle with the day to day grind of life, you know how hard it is to stay upbeat and positive, especially when dealing with a miserable job. Every day is a bad day and it wears us down quickly.
So today, I have decided to take action (and by action I mean writing this post) on changing my pessimistic tendencies.
Although I don’t often practice the art of optimism, I do understand that we will never get ahead in life by being negative. Thoughts are things, right? At least that’s what Napoleon Hill tells us…
The ironic thing is that we all understand that we have little chance of success by staying negative, yet we do it anyway. Why? Becasue it’s what we know.
Can we change it? Of course, but it’s easier said than done.
Trying to change your life for the better is overwhelming when you’re drowning in a sea of misery, so I’ve found that even doing one small thing each day to improve it is a good start.
20 Ways To Make Your Day Go From Bad To Great
- Smile. A highly underused way to bring joy into your and someone else’s day.
- Say good morning to someone and actually mean it. Most people will just try to get from point A to point B with as little human interaction as possible. Try engaging with someone, it’s amazing how much better you’ll feel.
- Have a conversation with a coworker about something other than work. Chat it up about the weather, the Superbowl, or your weekend. Just don’t talk about that damn job….
- Take an interest in someone else. People love to talk about themselves more than anything else. That’s human nature. If you can take an honest interest in some aspect of their life, you just may find a new friend.
- Bring breakfast to the office.This is so simple, yet rarely used (in my office anyway). Bringing in a dozen Dunkin Donuts for everyone is a win-win. People appreciate your generosity, you feel good about it, and you get to enjoy a massive amount of sugar. 🙂
- Pay someone a sincere compliment. This is a great way to brighten up some one’s day. I was in the elevator the other day heading up to my prison cell office and in a sour mood, when a woman who works in my building stepped on. Now, I usually will just say a quick “hello”, but instead I said “I love running into you because you have such great energy and always seem so happy”. It was a sincere compliment and I received a huge smile and thank you for it. I walked away feeling much better than I did 30 seconds prior and I’m sure she did as well.
- Do something unconditionally. Giving without the thought of receiving is one of the most rewarding feelings possible.
- Make just one persons day better. Usually all it takes is some small gesture to brighten someones day.
- Give your spouse or significant other your undivided attention. Yes, it’s extremely hard for us men, but we can do it!
- Go out of your way to help someone. Even if it’s returning someones shopping cart for them, it will be appreciated.
- Introduce yourself to someone. You never know when you’ll make a new friend that could change your life forever.
- Take a honest interest in something your spouse is interested in.(Hopefully, it’s not Desperate Housewives or scrapbooking…)
- Laugh out loud. Laughter is powerful stuff. I rarely do it….
- Let yourself be touched. No, not that you sicko, I’m talking finding something that can touch you deeply on an emotional level. For example, the movie Seven Pounds had a powerful impact on me and I found myself in tears in a public movie theater. And yes, I got called out on it by another movie goer. Him: dude, we’re you crying? Me: Uh…yea, weren’t you? Awkward silence…
- Take a walk outdoors and truly enjoy it. Free your mind of your shitty job and remember that there is so much more to life. I do this 5 times a day or more.
- Find something breathtaking to look at. I have a number of photos saved on my computer, so at any point I can pull them up, sit back, and find a happy place. Whether it’s a tropical beach in Fiji, the top of Mount Everest, or your kids playing in the snow, take a few minutes and allow yourself to be drawn into it.
- Use someone’s first name. People love to hear their own name. If you don’t know it, introduce yourself.
- Forget what others think. Be yourself completely. Let your dorkiness out and don’t give it a second thought. It’s rather liberating doing something uninhibited, give it a try.
- Get out of your comfort zone. I have met very few people that actively try to get out of their comfort zones. There is a tremendous opportunity for personal growth when we can do this, yet so few actually do. Find your fears and face them, you WILL feel awesome afterwards!
- Make a difference. There are a million ways to make the world a better place. You just need to find one!
As you’ve probably noticed, most of these ideas do not directly benefit you and that’s the point. Let’s take “you” out of the equation and focus on giving.
By giving real gifts of our time, interest, love, and compassion, we will find our days and our lives improve by default. Never underestimate the power of giving.
Here’s to having a great day!

Pippa@web sites for small businesses
Loved the ideas in the post, imagine if everyone did one of these things every day, what a nicer place work and life could be.
A few online ideas varaiations might be
1) RT someones request, or blog post , or comment just to help out.
2) Read a blog and comment and say thanks for sharing.Not just for the link.
3) start a conversation with someone new on twitter or facebook
4) send a message to one of your “friends” on facebook who you never really speak to.
Steve
If we all did even a few of these things every day, the world would be so much better…
Those are some good ideas and I may just do a post about that someday 🙂
Dino Dogan
Good stuff and a good check list. Carry this shit in your pocket until it becomes automatic and then throw it away. Thats the only other thing I can add to this post.
Steve
Dino,
Yea, I definitely need a constant reminder. It’s easy to write this all down, but actually implementing it is a different story!
Jill - Jack and Jill Travel The World
Hmm, I can definitely try some of these suggestions right now. Monday can be the worst 🙂
Steve
Jill,
I’m with you on Mondays, they suck. Hope some of the suggestions help you out a little 🙂
Tariq and Shaheera
Hi Steve,
thanks for the tips! This came to me at the perfect time and I’m currently trying to override my ego and bitterness with some of your suggestions.
It’s true that transfering your attention to someone else by doing something selflessly for them actually stops us from feeling bad. When we start looking outward instead of looking in (“Oh, I suck at doing this”, “I’m such a loser”) we become less obsessed with our drawbacks.
Thanks again for the ideas! Like you said, putting them into practise is going to be a bit harder but it’s worth the try anyway. 🙂
Tariq and Shaheera
Steve
Thanks guys,
What issues are you having with your ego?
It’s amazing what can happen when we think of others first. Our lives can be improved drastically solely by trying to help others. Glad you found this to be helpful!
Tariq and Shaheera
Hi Steve!
Well, personally for me (Shaheera) it’s more of thinking that I shouldn’t do things for people because they usually wouldn’t do it for me too.
However, what’s the purpose of giving if it’s solely to accept something in return. Surely giving with our hearts without intentions would reap the most benefits. Besides, without expectations one wouldn’t get hurt easily yes? It’s easy to write but hard to carry out nonetheless. 🙂
Oh and btw, would it be ok if we were to backlink this post to one of our blogposts? Please?
Tariq and Shaheera
Steve
Hey Shaheera,
A lot of people get caught in the trap of the “they wouldn’t help me, so why should I help them” mentality. It’s definitely not an easy thing to forget about all of that and give unconditionally. I think the greatest joys come from giving in this manner, so it’s well worth trying to do.
And yes, feel free to backlink any time you would like 🙂
Grandma Coco
I think some people like the feeling of being cynical and curmudgeonly. It lets them feel superior…smarter than the average bear. 🙂 I like your message. Thanks for sharing.
Steve
Hi Grandma!
I know exactly what you’re saying here becasue I have felt this way myself. I have found that being pissed off all the time has its advantages. In a weird sort of way, it a powerful feeling. The best way I can describe it is like thinking the world owes you something for what you’ve been through.
Steve
I often take short breaks to walk the dog (or just myself). I find it mellows me out and lowers my blood pressure!
Steve
Steve,
Whatever works! The last thing you need is an aneurysm…
Kim
These are great. I’d also add taking a walk or run in the forest or even just a walk around the block at sunset. It’s a great reminder that life is so much bigger than our little, pinpointed focus. If that doesn’t work, I got straight for the margaritas.
Steve
Hey Kim,
Good to hear from you again!
It sounds like you will be getting to take some great scenic walks soon on your trip! I so wish I was in your shoes…
Since I have no plans to travel nor the cash to do it, I guess I will have to settle for the tequila 🙂
AdrienneMay
This just so happened to be your post on a day that I was having a particularly bad day. My fiancée sent me the link! Great list!
I am definitely hating my day job. Working on finding something I love to do in order to do that instead. Have you heard of the site work is not a job? they do some great graphics.
Thanks for your post!
Steve
Adrienne,
I am happy to hear that it brightened a bad day for you 🙂
Do you have any ideas about what you would like to do?
I will check out the site you mentioned as I have not yet seen it.
Thanks
Ryan Renfrew @LifestyleDesign
Great list Steve,
Its great having a list like this but for me to make it a reality I will have to print it off and carry the list about with me checking off the items as I complete them. Then with enough practice they will become routine and I will do them naturally with out needing the list.
bLAZE yOUR tRAIL
Steve
Ryan,
Thanks dude.
Keeping a list makes sense for those of who struggle to do ANY of them. I have to constantly remind myself to act on these things. Otherwise, I just do the same shit every day.
Steve@Internet Lifestyle
Great List,
I love the ideas and the concepts are all good. the only problem is that I would find myslef hard pressed to do any of these on those, “dark days of the soul”
They are certainly things that help to lighten the moood. I will have to work on being a lot better at them!
Steve
Steve,
I’m with you here. I have plenty of dark days in which I don’t want to do anything positive at all. We just need a reminder from time to time….
Timo Kiander
I think this list is very important for everyone to remember. Especially #7 is very powerful one.
When you do something good for someone else without expecting any favors in return, it just feels good 🙂
Also, as Kim stated about running or walking; that definitely helps as well. I’m a runner myself and many times I have felt completely different (=good) after the exercise. And by the way, the same applies to other sports as well.
Steve
Timo,
I completely agree about running or exercise as a way to feel better. So many times I have been having a lousy day at work and then on my lunch break gone to the gym. Afterwards, I almost always feel great and have so much more energy.
Sandeep Verma
Good one Steve – loved it…
Steve
Thank you my friend!
Patrick
Great site Steve! I love crying while watching movies.
(awkward silence)
Steve
Thanks ….I think
Patrick
oops! hope I didn’t come across too frivolous, I found your blog yesterday via your ‘5 reasons you will always be broke’ post on dumb little man, and I’m really glad to have found it!
Steve
No, Patrick, not at all. I appreciate all comments! Hope to see you around..
Beverly
Love these awesome things to do as you go through your day!
Steve
Beverly,
Glad you found them helpful. They have saved me from a disasterous day many a time..