Copyright Page
2018 by John Mason
Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.revellbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2018
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-1384-3
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations labeled ABPE are from The Original Aramaic New Testament in Plain Englishwith Psalms & Proverbs. Copyright 2007; 8th edition Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2011
Scripture quotations labeled ISV are from The Holy Bible: International Standard Version. Release 2.0, Build 2015.02.09. Copyright 19952014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled WBT are from Websters Bible Translation.
Dedication
I am proud to dedicate this book to my beautiful wife, Linda; our four great kids, Michelle, Greg, Mike, and Dave; my two daughters-in-law, Brittany and Kelley; and my three grandchildren, Emma, Olivia, and Beckett.
To Linda, for your prayers and love.
To Michelle, for your dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence.
To Greg, for your peaceful faith and support.
To Mike, for your creativity and worshipful heart.
To Dave, for your competitive spirit and Dave and Dad fun.
To my dear mom, who has always loved me unconditionally. The best mom in the world!
To Brittany and Kelley, for your love for my sons and your love for the Lord.
To Emma, Olivia, and Beckett, for the sweetness, laughter, and abundance of love youve brought to our entire family.
Your support, help, encouragement, sense of humor, and prayers sustain and bless me every day.
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. When was the last time you astonished yourself?
2. Who are the five people you spend the most time with? Are they increasing you or holding you back?
3. If youre not you, then who are you going to be?
4. Does today feel different than yesterday?
5. Would the child you were be proud of the man or woman you are?
6. Do you give space in your mind to those who dont want you to succeed?
7. Why? Why not? Why not you? Why not now?
8. If you could, what would you work on right now?
9. Whats your favorite excuse? Why are you still using it?
10. What is something you can do for someone who has no opportunity to repay you?
11. What progress are you standing in the way of?
12. What lies are you believing today?
13. Is this your very best?
14. Which is worsefailing or never trying?
15. What are you really aiming at?
16. Do you take the advice of your fears?
18. How can you change someones life for the better today?
19. Are you having fun yet?
20. Are you choosing your story or someone elses?
21. What gives you goose bumps?
22. Have you survived the worst thing thats happened to you?
23. Is it true?
24. What one thing do you need to do next?
25. What have you started that you need to finish?
26. Do you scare yourself?
27. What are you putting off today that you put off yesterday?
28. Is the juice worth the squeeze?
29. What would you do today if there were no tomorrow?
30. Whom did you love today?
31. Whats the first small step you can take now to get moving in the right direction?
32. Whats already in your hand?
33. Whats one regret you dont want to have?
34. What would your life look like if you were the most grateful, thankful person you know?
35. Are your eyes looking forward?
36. Do you like the sound of your own voice? How does it sound when youre complaining?
37. What have you stopped doing that you need to start doing again?
38. When someone asks, Whats new? whats your answer?
39. When was the last time you said, Wow, I cant believe I did that?
40. What are you amazingly good at?
A Final Word
Author Contact
Author Products
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
Acknowledgments
I d like to thank Lonnie Hull DuPont for her excellent thoughts on how to make this book better. Her candor, humor, and expertise are always appreciated.
Introduction
W eve all heard the expression carpe diem , seize the day. Its a great thought and one I embrace. In this book, Seize Today , I hope to take that idea one step further for you.
When you seize the day, how do you know what to do, what to choose, or where to go? I believe the answer is best found by asking the right questions.
In this book, I present forty key questions and teachings I know will unlock answers for your life. The Bible statements You have not because you ask not (James 4:2 ABPE) and Ask and you will receive (John 16:24 NIV) are as true today as they were two thousand years ago.
Its been said you can judge a man by his questions as much as by his answers. I believe youre where you are today because of the questions youve asked.
To get where you want to be, you must ask the right questions. The difference between people who are successful and those who arent is that successful people ask better questions and therefore get better results.
Do you ask enough questions, or do you settle for what you know? What are the questions that are shaping your life?
Seize your way, every day. Every person is created equal in this regard; were all given twenty-four hours each day. Youll find that the secret to your success is hidden in your daily routine. What we all do each day matters. So seize today by asking the right questions.
Question 1
When was the last time you astonished yourself?
I obtained an amazing job a few years after graduating from college. It all began when I received a phone call out of the blue. I was enrolled full-time in an MBA program, but this was too good to pass up.
The job opportunity was beyond my wildest imagination: assistant to the chairman of the board of the largest bank in Oklahoma. Ill never forget going through seven interviews, starting in human resources all the way through the chairman and president, and finally receiving a job offer at only twenty-four years of age. And I was about to get an invaluable perspective from the top down.