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Daily Wins for Life: A Day-by-day Guide to Living Your Best Life

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"An inspiring, heart-warming, go-getting book... an antidote to apathy." Helen Tupper, co-author of The Squiggly Career

365 WAYS TO HAVE A GOOD DAY is a full year's worth of daily inspiration, tools, habits, actions, and rituals that will help you live your best life. You'll discover surprising insights from psychologists, business leaders, entrepreneurs and designers. You'll explore the benefits of Feierabends and Laughies, have your eyes opened by a dance psychologist, and find out why one senior executive's tattooed fingers help him make the right career choices. You'll learn habit-forming strategies, pick up helpful hacks, and uncover tips for lasting change - all brought to life through real examples and thought-provoking stories that will get you looking at life differently.

You'll meet a cast of characters from around the world who know all about creating success, from the founder of a billion-dollar mindfulness company in California to the Hollywood screenwriter who takes up to eight showers a day to fuel his ideas, and from the Harvard Business School professor who discovered more joy at work by wearing red trainers to the man who every Friday for five years set up a table in central NYC to give advice to strangers, including a gang member on the run.

365 WAYS TO HAVE A GOOD DAY focuses on the small stuff you can do every day to make life better. Because when you get the little things right, the big things follow. Things like figuring out where you're going, hitting reset, designing the life you want, breaking through limiting beliefs, and creating success on your own terms. And when you find what works for you, you can do more of it, making you more productive, more fulfilled, and much happier.

IT'S TIME TO SEIZE THE DAY. ALL 365 OF THEM.

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2021

25 people are currently reading
2094 people want to read

About the author

Ian Sanders

17 books5 followers

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5 stars
26 (33%)
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23 (29%)
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21 (26%)
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5 (6%)
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3 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Reading_ Tamishly.
5,310 reviews3,488 followers
January 26, 2022
Thank you, Nicholas Brealey US, for the advance reading copy.

I need this book today! And like everyday for the rest of the year. Every year!

I absolutely adore the way it's been written. 365 most practical tips for 365 different days. It's awesome. And I feel like it's been written just for me. No kidding.

Most days I keep procastinating things (even feelings I need to figure out. Relatable much?!). Yes, we tend to do these things a lot. For the entire year. Year after year. And yes, we know we cannot blame anyone else when we do not feel or achieve what we want to.

The presentation is simple. The writing is concise. I feel like I have already achieved some very important things just reading this book. Yes, that's how such books work. It all starts from thinking I can make it happen and these tips do seem practical.

Yes, we all need a band of cheerleaders in our head most days and this book just gives you that.
Profile Image for mia.
774 reviews281 followers
February 13, 2022
(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a honest review)

Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Nicholas Brealey US

I liked that this book had so many ways to make your day better, it felt like a perk-me-up especially when you are going through a tough phase. He also shared ways for action and things to attempt that could make your life better.

But it felt like a small collection of the author's stories and felt a little repetitive. Not all were ways that I could relate/agree with/would do.

Overall a good book for reflection.
Profile Image for bookishcharli .
686 reviews156 followers
July 3, 2022
If you only read one book this year, make it this book. This is an absolute must read, everyone could learn a thing or two from the messages in this book. It made me smile at a time when the world seems quite dark. It’s up to us to try and have a good day, yes there are things out of our control, but we can choose how to react to them. We don’t have to let life get us down.
Profile Image for Arvenig.
100 reviews56 followers
September 26, 2022
Hi everyone!
This book was pretty amazing to read, especially in a ‘down’ time of the week.
I expected to find some activities like ‘go outside’ and stuff like that. But the ideas really surprised me.
I’d advise just picking up the book and choose randomly one of the paragraphs.

I’d like to end this review with one of the ideas:
Give a shit, but give zero #***s!
Profile Image for Abra Kurt.
93 reviews2 followers
February 11, 2022
I knew I was going to love this book when I read the author blurb and learned that Ian Sanders' underlying goal is to "spark change" through his work and that he built his career by simply "following his curiosity." At once relatable and aspirational, Sanders telegraphs YOLO motivation, a polymath's mindset, and a life well-lived and well-loved.

Sanders skillfully wraps universally applicable tips in sometimes oddly specific advice (#6 - Get your fingers tattooed) in ways both witty and wise. Some advice comes by way of basic personal development principles like #4 - Look for the positive; #5 - Notice your breathing; #15 - Have good quality relationships; and #24 - Get some downtime. To be fair, in a 365 item list, you'll likely come across some ideas you've heard before. But with Sanders' broad worldview and personal anecdotes, these moments come across more tried and true than trite. He also introduces unfamiliar concepts like the Danish arbejdsglaede; Japanese ikigai; spaghetti lines; the Shultz Hour; the Offternoon; and the Feierabend. Say what now? And those are just from the first two chapters! In total, there are 13 chapters in this book, brimming with inspiration, insight, and information that can truly make a difference between a 'meh' day and a truly good day.

365 Ways to Have a Good Day reminds us that's the little things and our daily habits that build the good days that build a good life. Highly recommended for anyone seeking some fresh insight for a mindset shift or that aha moment to reignite a dimming spark.

I received a digital pre-publication copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I'll be including it in a book blog post on the best new releases for a new mindset. I will also be adding a hardcover edition to my permanent collection upon its March 2022 release.
Profile Image for Laura.
3,205 reviews348 followers
February 7, 2022
To be very honest, for the first half of this book my rating was hovering around a three.
It is basically a list with amusing and explanatory anecdotes.
In the second half of the book something clicked and my appreciation rose.
I won't say that every one of the 365 entries was brilliant or spoke to me personally but overall it is a worthwhile read and I enjoyed it.
Between the covers I discovered resources and podcasts to look into further.
Although I am not a coffee (or tea) drinker, I think Ian and I could share pleasant moments in a social establishment. I am going to be looking for more opportunities to "get high," or seek out new perspectives.
Ian shares that life will never be all smooth sailing, but remember that in order to best appreciate the sunshine and the highs one must also experience lows and shadows.
It is in the contrasts that impressions are made.
Many wonderful suggestions are offered for changing perspective, reevaluating life as it is and making changes for better experiences.

This is the sort of book one will read more than once. I took notes and will phrase them for myself slightly differently. I will make myself a set of flash cards for inspiration and motivation.


269 reviews
November 14, 2022
In this book, Ian Sanders gives you 365 actionable tips in clear, concise language. Aimed at making your day better, they range from being extremely specific to wild and fantastic. Some of them fall under familiar categories, such as personal development, but some other concepts, such as susegad, feierabend, keyifli, arbejdsglaede, fernweh, sobremesas, and fikabreak may be new to you.
The tips may not all be relevant or relatable. However, you will be able to understand the essence of what Sanders is trying to convey and customize them to suit your situation.
Being an incurable optimist, I believe that we can try to make any day a good day even when things seem hopelessly out of our control. I believe that reflecting upon your circumstances and changing your perspective can bring about major changes in your life. So, I like the book's premise.
Sanders weaves in anecdotes of his experiences engagingly to expound it. He mentions many interesting people, books, and other resources, which I intend to explore later.
I read it in one go. The chapters have numbers and not dates, which means you can start reading it any day. You can refer to a tip or two as and when needed.
Overall, an enjoyable book that has practical and unique tips for improving your life. It does exactly what the blurb says. It delivers on all accounts.
Profile Image for Lesley.
280 reviews10 followers
March 29, 2022
This title grabbed my attention because, let's face it, who isn't in the market for a good day? The idea of a bite-sized tip each day also appealed to me. So far so good!

As with any book of this nature, some of the suggestions will be more accessible than others. For example, my job will never allow me the flexibility to cancel meetings or spontaneously take the rest of the day off, however beneficial such things may be. Nor am I likely to be in a position where I can up sticks and relocate to another country just because I am happiest while on holiday there.

However, there will be other readers in situations different to mine for whom such suggestions really resonate and the author talks of his own experiences in a very engaging manner, so it was still interesting to read those sections.

In addition, I did find some much more realistic and attainable goals. The message I took from the book was, whatever you do, do it intentionally and mindfully. Don't just get carried along with the tide - advice worth bearing in mind whatever your situation.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and felt it offered some good suggestions with the proviso that, as with so much in life, one size definitely doesn't fit all.
2,714 reviews9 followers
January 28, 2022
As I write this, January is almost over. Remember how on the first of the month you might have made some resolutions? How did that go if you did? Whether it went well or you don’t make resolutions or it didn’t go so well, you might benefit from this title. It encourages the reader to live their best life each day. Just a few of the chapter headings include Make it a a habit, Count the things that count, Turn left, and Just have a day. There are 365 thoughts given over the course of the thirteen chapters.

Included in this title are what the author describes as stories to inspire, prompts to put ideas into action and things to try. He hopes that readers will use this book to inspire a journey of discovery. If this sounds appealing to you, give this title a look.

This book is a personal one, filled with what has worked for the author. He hopes that some of his reflections will be helpful to the reader. I am going to give it a whirl.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for MookNana.
847 reviews7 followers
February 17, 2022
3.5 stars. There is good advice in here. The overarching themes--seek connection, spend your time and energy mindfully, cultivate new experience--are solid. That said, this book is just distractingly full of unacknowledged privilege. It appears to be written by and for a small audience of people who have comfortable jobs with autonomy, disposable income, and the option to travel frequently. It's a little hard to swallow tossed-off bits of advice like "skip a conference session at the convention your job is apparently paying you to play hooky at" or "live in a 15-minute neighborhood because there's plenty of affordable housing in convenient, walkable areas" or "talk to the cleaner" (!!!).

As with everything, take what you can use and leave the rest. But, if you're not picking this up from a similarly well-off position as the author, it may be more of an experience in aggravation than inspiration.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.
Profile Image for Winnie | Her Digital Coffee.
148 reviews12 followers
June 28, 2022
365 Ways to Have a Good Day is a day-by-day guide filled with inspirational ideas. Sanders encourages readers to try something new, step out of your comfort zone, and see the world through a new perspective.

Sanders provides simple and easy tips that you can practice at your leisure. One specific exercise that stood out was “What gets your lightbulb shining bright?” It’s where you create a list of things/people that either light you up or dim your shine. This exercise puts into perspective on how or who you should be spending your time with.

365 Ways to Have a Good Day is a great book to keep by your bedside table and flip through for daily inspiration. I would recommend this book to anyone. Thank you to NetGalley and Nicholas Brealey US for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Angela Watt.
194 reviews9 followers
January 20, 2023
I downloaded a copy of this book just in time to start reading it at the beginning of 2023, wanting a little burst of positivity to get my year flowing in the right direction. Ian Sanders shares 365 stories and tips on ways to have a good day based on his experiences and the people he has come into contact with. Some made me go, oooh, others I skipped through, knowing they had little relevance to me. It's inevitable with a book like this that some points resonate more than others.

That said, I enjoyed reading it and often started my day reading a few snippets as I drank my morning coffee. It was a light, refreshing start and certainly gave a positive spin to the day ahead. I even found myself recounting one of the tales to a friend yesterday. It fitted perfectly with the scenario she was describing. Overall I liked the book and the perspectives shared.
Profile Image for B.R. Maycock.
Author 7 books69 followers
February 25, 2023
You know you clicked with a book when your first thought for a review is that you must buy it for x, and that you need a paperback version for your house to flick through! This book was so me. It resonated throughout, with stories, analogies, tips and tricks on how to get the best out of your life, how to ride the ups and downs, and making you remember what makes you you. Basically it’s short snippets that make you up your game and help you make the best of what you’ve got. I will remind you I’m a very positive person so I don’t know if it will affect everyone in the same way, but my God it’s definitely one that will be flicked through regularly! Thanks so much to the publisher for the book in return for an honest review!
Profile Image for whatnolareads.
178 reviews13 followers
February 10, 2024
. As someone who values positivity and personal growth, I found this book to be an invaluable resource for daily inspiration and motivation.

What I love most about this book is its simplicity and accessibility. Each day offers a new suggestion or activity that is easy to implement into my daily routine. Whether it's practicing gratitude, setting intentions for the day, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the little things in life, there's always something to uplift and energize me.

I also appreciate the variety of suggestions included in the book. From simple acts of kindness to larger lifestyle changes, there's something for everyone to explore. And because the book is organized by day, it's easy to follow along and track my progress over time.
279 reviews5 followers
October 30, 2022
This book is a great little book for anyone looking to read an inspirational quote or paragraph each day. I like how it is numbered and not dated so that you can start any day of the year. The author uses personal experiences and insights, which make it relatable. Some items did not resonate with me, such as: get your fingers tattooed, but there are so many others that are relevant. Some tips/scenarios may resonate with some and not with others, but that is the beauty of having 365. I wish that the book was more visually appealing. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
224 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2022
How to Become An Entrepreneur

This book is nothing close to what I expected it to be, it is over the top amazing and inspiring. Ian Sanders is a genius at creating his truly innovative life. In this book 365 Ways to Have a Good Day, Ian Sanders literally created 365 things to do. Some, he states, were challenging while others were not. He states that his unconventional career out of following his curiosity and sharing what he’s learned along the way opened all kinds of unexpected doors for him, at one point, launching him into a marketing business by accident.

I enjoyed reading this book, it has 365 ways anyone might use to become an entrepreneur.
100 reviews
January 20, 2022
Ian's new book is a fabulous distillation of a life well lived and worked. He's taken the time to pull together (quite literally) 365 little nuggets of inspiration, wisdom, findings and observations that will help anybody quite simply have a better day, more generally. It's the sort of wonderful book you could either read a little bit of every day (as I do), read all at once, or dip in and out of. It's pretty much guaranteed to be a great companion to you, whoever you are, and whatever you do. I'm really fond of it, and I've bought copies for good friends too....
Enjoy.
Profile Image for Katie.
83 reviews9 followers
Read
February 5, 2022
I’m never sure how to rate these type of books, but I think it’s best to tell you who this book is geared towards:

1) This book is clearly meant geared towards people in corporate careers, but some of the advice is applicable to everyone.
2) Some of the stories might make this book difficult for people who struggle financially to relate.

Basically, this is a collection of 365 little incidents in the authors life that lead to advice. I suggest slowing the pace when reading to give time for things to sink in.

I read this book thanks to NetGalley!
Profile Image for Kathy.
1,912 reviews33 followers
February 26, 2022
This is a delightful book to keep on your shelf and pull out whenever you feel yourself getting into a rut or needing a bit of a different perspective.

Not all of the entries are new ideas, but there are enough entries that made me pause, offered a new idea or a way to regain perspective, pushed me towards living a life that is meaningful to me, in accord with my values and goals.

Kudos to the author and John Murray Learning who permitted me to access an e-ARC of this book (scheduled to be published 3/15/22) via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own and are freely given.
333 reviews13 followers
April 18, 2022
This book is fab! I love that it doesn’t over complicate what it’s trying to achieve. There are no great big, long chapters to wade through in order to find the nuggets of info or ideas that might inspire you do something that will have a positive impact on you and your mental health and well-being. No, this book is literally a book made up of nuggets, anecdotes, examples that are all taken from life experience.
Not everything in this book will make sense to everyone, but with 365 offerings there are bound to be some for most of us.
A great book that I would definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Tiffany W..
77 reviews
March 4, 2023
I picked this book up because, lame as this is gonna sound --- I wasn't having a good day that day.
So far I've read quite an amount of self-help and inspirational books already, but this book is one of those I would want to keep a copy on my shelves. A good thing about this book is that it's not a one-quote-a-day book, but there are also some pretty specific advice and ideas (e.g. getting finger tattoos). I can't say all of them are helpful to everyone, but I least I found some new inspirations that I like, and the witty tone of the book did help me brighten up :)
Profile Image for Denise Griffitts.
188 reviews3 followers
March 7, 2023
365 Ways to Have a Good Day by Ian Sanders is a great book that offers practical and easy-to-follow advice for anyone who wants to make their days more fulfilling and enjoyable. The book provides one simple idea for each day of the year, ranging from small actions like taking a different route to work, to larger changes like starting a new hobby or taking a trip. The author provides real-life examples and anecdotes that make the book relatable and inspiring. The book's structure is user-friendly, making it easy to pick up and read whenever you need a quick boost of positivity and motivation.
Profile Image for Brianna.
147 reviews16 followers
March 29, 2022
This was a good read, especially if you work for yourself or work a lot. Some things repeat, some stuff is unattainable for all (e.g. live in a city where life happens outside, live in a 15 minute city, etc.) but there are reminders we can all benefit from like remembering to move our bodies every day, especially if we're confined to a desk for the majority of it. You can boil the overall message down to: take breaks, do what motivates or excites you, and determine your own idea of success.

Some of my favorite suggestions were: #322 Turn Left: "Turning left is how I make choices in my life. Taking the path that is marked ME." and #357 Throw a Party for One: Celebrating your successes even if you're your own boss. And of course #358: read for pleasure!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Whitney Pieren.
71 reviews3 followers
February 18, 2022
Thank you to @NetGalley for providing an advance copy. This book was enjoyable. The author provided practical as well as unique suggestions for having a good day and truly making the most of life. I personally found many takeaways that I plan to use. Now I'm off to enjoy a cup of tea without distractions!
Profile Image for Denise Morse.
988 reviews8 followers
July 18, 2022
365 Ways to Have a Good Day is a nice way to start or end your day and reset to look at the small things or focus on new. I liked the authors approach to life and his way of meeting people and having interactions that are rich and full. I wanted to spend a day with him just traveling around, drinking coffee, and listening to live music. It was a nice book and would make a great gift.
Profile Image for Katie Stevens.
26 reviews
July 19, 2022
I think this book is best read one tip each day but I skipped ahead in order to provide a review. I found some of the tips interesting and spent time pondering them but others were a bit wishy washy and not the sort of things you can implement for immediate change. I would prefer things to be more actionable.
Profile Image for Robyn Little.
134 reviews10 followers
Read
November 18, 2022
I don't care much for these types of books because they don't help everyone, only certain people. this one is a bit more intimate, a bit more personal. it helps the advice seem more useful and the author clearly has a passion for life. an inspiring read that makes you consider what you want to do for your own good day.
Profile Image for Afterglow Earring Co.
149 reviews
December 13, 2022
I was able to review this book thanks to NetGalley. Although I am always looking for new Self Help books, I was a little disappointed with this one. I found myself skimming the different points and I didn’t really like the style of writing. I realize that by writing this review I am not making someone’s day, just trying to be honest!
Profile Image for Sally Wilsey.
643 reviews9 followers
February 5, 2023
This is a good book more if you work but can be changed if you don’t. It is positive and turns negative into positive thinking. I found the author was giving vert simple ideas to really change your thinking which I liked. In todays hustle bustle world people need this book to learn better self care.
Profile Image for Chun.
20 reviews7 followers
December 25, 2023
Many repetitions between chapters. 365 ways can be down-sized to 50 ways. Some chapters sounds like it’s initially written on a random note, or diary, without thinking about the „living a good day” impact it should have matched with the book.

At the beginning there’s some nice chapters that can really provide you with tips for life. But the more you read, it starts to get tedious.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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