How to Avoid a Boring Eulogy Pt. 2

Be a Day-Maker

“People will forget what you say, they will forget what you do, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

I heard that quote when I was young, and it’s stuck with me ever since. It’s also the reason I’ve lost hours of sleep replaying the moments where I know I didn’t treat someone the way they deserved. Louie Giglio once said, “At your funeral, no one can say more or less than who you really were. You preach your own funeral.” That line has haunted me—in the best kind of way.

 Because here’s the thing: when it’s all said and done and a room full of people gather to remember you, how do we make sure that room is full of gratitude and warmth instead of polite silence: be a day maker. People will remember, deep down, how you made them feel, and if you want to avoid a boring eulogy, the most genuine thing you can do starts today.  Over time, that leaves behind an encyclopedia of moments where you made others feel seen, valued, and known. They may not remember all the stories, but they’ll remember the feeling.

We’ve All Had “One of Those Days”

You know those days when you’re just tired of people? Like the whole human race is on thin ice? The kind of day where you overhear someone ordering coffee like the barista is their personal servant, and you just stand there in disbelief? And then two doors close in your face, and right on cue, a passive-aggressive email lands in your inbox?

It’s easy to feel like the world is full of jerks. And let’s be honest—we’ve all been there. We’ve been the person with the earbuds in, zoning out when someone needs our attention. We’ve been the person who sends a sharp reply because we’re at the end of our rope. I’ve done it more times than I’d like to admit.

But in a world where it’s easy to be selfish or indifferent, we have an opportunity, a superpower, even—to be a day maker. To live in a way that makes people breathe easier when you walk into a room instead of tensing up.

The good news? It’s not that hard. You don’t have to overhaul your life to start being a day maker. You just have to practice the small things consistently. Here are a few practical ways to start:

1. Include the People Who Naturally Get Left Out

No one wants to be picked last. No one wants to feel invisible. Every so often, look for the person standing on the edge of the circle and pull them in. Send the invite to the person who’s usually overlooked. Say “Hey, sit with us!” to the person eating alone. Small things like that don’t just make someone’s day, they have a way of sticking for life.

2. Say the Nice Thing

This one’s easy—but most of us still don’t do it. Give compliments away like you have an endless supply (because you do).

• “Man, that’s a great jacket. Looks sharp.”

• “You always have such a thoughtful take on things. I really appreciate that.”

• “You’re a great parent. It’s so cool to see you in this season of life.”

These are the kinds of things we think but rarely say. Don’t hold them back. Be the person who says the thing that doesn’t have to be said—but makes someone’s day better.

3. Be Kind When It’s Inconvenient

Anyone can be kind when it’s easy. But day makers are kind when it costs them something—time, effort, attention.

• Get up and help someone when they spill their drink.

• Take the trash out at home even though it’s not “your job.”

• Give someone a cutting from your plant when they mention they love it.

Look for those tiny, inconvenient opportunities—and take them.

4. See the Human First (Order Matters)

We tend to lead with tasks and questions instead of people. Flip the order. Before asking someone to get something done, ask how they’re doing.

If you’re in a meeting where there’s a clear agenda, start by connecting on a personal level before diving into the business. A quick “Hey, how’s your week going?” or “How’s your son doing with soccer?” before getting into the agenda sets the tone that you care about them as a person, not just their contribution.

On the flip side, if you’re reaching out to someone and there’s no real agenda—maybe you’re just checking in or asking a favor—end with the human element. After the business part is covered, take a moment to say something like, “By the way, I’ve been thinking about you—how’s everything going?” or “Hey, it was great catching up. Let me know how that vacation goes!”

When you get the order right, it signals that you’re not just connecting because you need something. You’re connecting because you care.

5. Slow Down 

Pace is everything. Rushed people miss things. Slow people see things.

• You can’t write a thoughtful note if you’re racing through your day.

• You can’t notice that someone is hurting if you’re too distracted.

• You can’t say something kind if you’re not paying attention.

Being a day maker starts with noticing—and you can’t notice unless you slow down.

Let’s be people who leave the room better!

At the end of our lives, people won’t remember the awards or the titles—they’ll remember how we made them feel. They’ll remember the time you held the door, sent the text, or showed up when it wasn’t convenient. That’s the measure of a life well-lived.

So today—just once—try being a day-maker. When we consistently look for opportunities to make someone else’s day, it changes how we see the world and how we interact with others. The crazy part? When we start looking for ways to make someone else’s day, our own lives get better too.

It’s the smallest thing you’ll never regret.