Around the time Robert D. Smith had lived his 20,000^th day, he took two of the next 20,000 (or however many he has left) to plan how he would spend the rest of his life. In his book 20,000 Days and Counting: The Crash Course for Mastering Your Life Right Now, he divulges what he did during his two-day retreat, and explains the philosophy on which he bases his life—a philosophy he sums up in statements like:

“There is no thought that will purge your priorities of worthless and worldly tastes like that of your impending death. Ponder the kind of life you would like to look back on when you come to die… “

and

“The best preparation for living is to be prepared to die at any time … imminent death inspires clarity of purpose, a rearranging of what really matters” – Robert D. Smith, 20,000 Days and Counting, Kindle Locations 554 and 573.

However, the book is anything but morbid. For this man, who has spent most of his career managing entertainer and author Andy Andrews knows how to show us a good time. The book’s tone and content is upbeat, encouraging, helpful, and practical.

In it he suggests exercises that will help readers discover their life’s purpose and gives them ways to  live responsibly and constructively. Some of his suggestions that resonated with me were:

– You increase motivation by increasing productivity.

– Be open to saying “yes” more than you say “no.”

– Take ownership. “Start thinking I am the problem … when you do that…. Suddenly you have power” (Kindle Location 771).

The book is a fast read and worth every minute spent immersed in it. The few hours it took me to read it are already proving well spent in their impact on my 2013 goals and resolutions. This is a book that will clear your vision and help you live with a “So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” mindset (Psalm 90:12—one of numerous Bible verses he quotes; the book is consistent with a Christian perspective). I recommend it!

By the way, how many days have you lived? Want to find out? Visit TheRobertD’s website and plug your dates into the widget there. (And while you’re on the site, you may also want to sign up for his newsletter and get the free e-Book Battle-Tested Branding, another great little resource!)

Book Facts:

Title: 20,000 Days and Counting: The Crash Course for Mastering the Rest of Your Life right Now
Author: Robert D. Smith
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, January 2013,  99 pages-Kindle edition, available in hardcover.
ASIN: B009PN6M3M

I received 20,000 Days and Counting as a gift from the publisher for the purpose of writing a review.