Is it possible to live for today AND tomorrow? Darren shares one approach to be kind to your past, present and future self.
Category: Perfect Day
The Smallest Act of Caring Can Be Big
It’s been a rough few days. Just feeling down. Can’t explain why. Footsteps from my apartment is an alley full of families serving office lunches for 30,000 VND ($1.30 USD). I sit down at the cơm trưa stall and start eating. Lost in thought. This soup is delicious though… Suddenly a large man hovers over […]
Reading hundreds of obituaries over the years has taught me three lessons about living well.

Most people just want four things: connection, autonomy, progress and a peaceful state of mind.
Vacuums
Before bringing in the new we must create a vacuum.
The Joker’s Journal
What career switchers can learn from Joaquin Phoenix, Heath Ledger, Natalie Portman and other great actors.
Guardrails
Left unattended, our strengths can quickly become weaknesses.
Making Your Perfect Day a Reality
Design a day full of small wins, and your perfect day is right around the corner. Here are eight exercises to help you do so.
What’s Your Perfect Day?
Unlock your perfect day with these 10 questions.
No Matter What, A Beautiful State
How can we enjoy life not only when everything goes our way, but also when things don’t?
Maud, 31, French Teacher
“When I come back home, I feel very tired – a good feeling tired – and I’m happy the day was spent the way it was spent.”
Nam, Homestay Owner
“I am building a pool for my son, right on the Mekong river. He very much love to jump into the river everyday.”
Linh & Linh, Students
“I want to spend a day resting and enjoying myself. Right now I am buried with assignments and work. I would love to rest and spend time doing things I love, like binge watching films, laying in bed, and reading books.”
Investing in money or friends is a false dichotomy – of course we should invest in both. But which gives more security?
Outsight, then Insight
“Outsight, much more than reflection, lets you reshape your image of what you can do and what is worth doing.” – Herminia Ibarra
Evaluating Your Perfect Day
Did today matter? Why or why not?
Chung, Restauranteur
“If I have no issues at work and no issues in my personal life, that’s a perfect day. Whatever I do goes smoothly.”
Jimmy, Dance Teacher
“Consistency. I do this [dance] everyday. There is no more plan or steps, it’s just a feeling. I have to do it until I reach a feeling: ‘Yeah, I’m good.’ It’s a release, a deeply soulful activity to me. That’s a perfect day. Everything else is icing.”
On Waking Up Late
When I’m not living my perfect day, I’ve learned to examine the context surrounding my behavior, and question the assumptions behind not only my perfect day but what conventional wisdom says is good, right and acceptable. Most of all I’ve learned to forgive myself.
Manuel, Project Manager
“Having the feeling of achieving something. Then rewarding yourself.”