My Love/Hate Relationship with One Day at a Time
One Day at a Time is Not a Commitment
The phrase “one day at a time” is a cornerstone of recovery programs, and for many, it’s a powerful tool. It simplifies the seemingly impossible task of giving up alcohol by breaking it into manageable pieces. It offers a lifeline when forever feels overwhelming. But for me, “one day at a time” wasn’t enough.
In fact, I found that relying on it felt like running on a grueling hamster wheel. Every day was a battle of willpower, and no matter how many days I strung together, I couldn’t escape the thought that I was just getting through. Sobriety felt like a constant struggle, a series of endless hurdles I had to clear without ever reaching the finish line.
The willpower approach was exhausting, and it wasn’t working. I wasn’t drinking, but I wasn’t thriving either. That all changed when I stopped viewing sobriety as something I had to endure for one more day and started embracing it as a lifestyle.
When I abandoned the “just for today” mindset and fully committed to a sober life, something clicked. I stopped counting days and started focusing on the bigger picture—the life I was building, the clarity I was gaining, and the benefits that far outweighed the drawbacks. That shift wasn’t just the key to staying sober—it was the key to finding joy, purpose, and freedom in sobriety.
The lesson I learned applies to more than just recovery. Whether you’re trying to stay sober or build a business, short-term survival is a powerful starting point, but it can’t be your long-term strategy. Let me explain.
The Double-Edged Sword of “One Day at a Time”
At its core, “one day at a time” is about staying present. It’s a tool to manage cravings and overwhelm, and in those moments, it’s invaluable. But for me, it eventually became a crutch.
I found myself in a cycle of just “getting through” each day. I wasn’t drinking, but I wasn’t thriving either. I was still looking at sobriety as something I had to endure, not as something that could enhance my life. I was surviving, not living.
That’s when it hit me: If I was still thinking of sobriety as “just for today,” I hadn’t fully committed to the change. I was treating sobriety like a diet I’d quit when it got too hard or when I reached some vague milestone. The mindset was keeping me in a place of fear—fear that I couldn’t handle forever, fear that I was depriving myself of something essential.
The Turning Point: Seeing Sobriety as a Lifestyle
The real shift happened when I stopped thinking of sobriety as something I had to survive and started seeing it as a choice that added value to my life. Instead of focusing on what I was giving up, I started to think about what I was gaining.
Sobriety gave me clarity, energy, and an ability to connect with others on a deeper level. It allowed me to become more present with my family and more focused as an entrepreneur. It stopped being a struggle and started becoming a lifestyle—a way of living that was richer, fuller, and more meaningful than anything alcohol could ever offer.
I still take things “one day at a time” when life throws curveballs, but my overall approach is rooted in long-term commitment. Sobriety isn’t something I’m trying to endure for one more day—it’s who I am.
What This Means for Entrepreneurs
Interestingly, this mindset shift also applies to entrepreneurship. Building a business often feels overwhelming, especially in the early stages. There’s a temptation to just get through each day, solving problems as they arise and reacting to the immediate needs of the business.
In those moments, “one day at a time” can be useful. It helps you focus, stay grounded, and avoid burnout. But if you live in that mindset indefinitely, you risk staying stuck in survival mode. You’re putting out fires instead of building a sustainable vision for your company.
When I founded Seir Hill, there were plenty of days where just making it to the next day felt like a win. But lasting success didn’t come from surviving—it came from committing to a larger vision. I had to stop thinking about “one more sale” or “one more month” and start building for the long term. That meant creating systems, developing a brand identity, and investing in growth.
The same is true of sobriety. Long-term success requires a shift in perspective. It’s about moving from short-term survival to long-term thriving.
Finding the Balance
To be clear, I’m not saying “one day at a time” is wrong. In fact, it’s often the perfect place to start. If you’re in the trenches—whether it’s early sobriety, the first year of entrepreneurship, or another major life challenge—breaking things down into daily milestones can save you from feeling overwhelmed.
But eventually, you have to move beyond that mindset. You have to commit to the change as a lifestyle, not a temporary fix. That’s where true growth happens.
For me, the balance looks like this:
• When things feel impossible, I lean on “one day at a time” to stay present and focused.
• When I’m building for the future, I remind myself that I’m committed to something bigger than just today.
A Lifestyle Worth Living
Sobriety isn’t something I endure “one more day” at a time anymore. It’s the foundation of a life I love—one where I’m a better husband, father, and entrepreneur. Similarly, building a business isn’t about getting through the next challenge; it’s about creating something meaningful and lasting.
If you’re navigating sobriety, entrepreneurship, or any major life change, I encourage you to start with “one day at a time.” But don’t stay there. Shift your mindset to see the bigger picture and commit to the change fully. You might just find, as I did, that what once felt like a sacrifice becomes one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.
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