{of expectations}

I think that the answer to the question "How was your day?" is very subjective, in that the criteria for a 'good' or 'bad' day differs from one person to the other.

One person might have a full and productive day but still not be satisfied, while another person might laze around most of the day and feel that they've done a lot. I think it all depends on the individual's expectations, and whether they've fulfilled the day's expectations or not. In the case of 'things' happening to someone, it's whether that 'thing' is in their favour or not. If it is, then it's 'good luck' and it'll be a 'good day', but if otherwise, then it'll be 'bad luck' leading to a 'bad day'.

Now I'm neither Napoleon Hill nor Stephen Covey, but I think the best way to have a 'good' day is to set your expectations of the day just a little bit higher than would be comfortable. Then, during the course of the day, work hard to meet these inflated expectations. The result will be not only that you'll have a 'good', full and productive day, but you'll also grow in the process by constantly reaching for new heights and performing to levels that might have not been conceivable before.

As for having things happening to you that are seemingly out of your own control, Jack Canfield in his book "How To Get From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be" says to ask the question: "What's the opportunity in this?" to everything that comes up - basically to look at making every event play to your own advantage, whether in bringing immediate gain or success in the long run.