Let me ask you a question…
How do you start your day?
Are you like most people who start their day by trying to set a new record in ‘Snooze Button Hitting’? Is the coffee pot your first stop? Do you feel you need a bigger coffee cup?
I know what it’s like to have a rough start to the day, but personally, I keep my mind focused on refusing that feeling to last. I challenge myself to change that mindset quicker each time it rears its ugly head.
Now I already know a lot of people reading this are right now saying: “But Xavier, you don’t know what my life is like! You have no clue about what I have to deal with!” And on and on as they begin to list one excuse after another.
But you are not like that, are you? No, definitely not or you wouldn’t still be reading this post. You are interested in achieving the life you desire and you know that all those excuses are simply roadblocks and distractions on your journey.
Aside from switching to a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) as quickly as you can, there are some simple things you can do to start your day off on the right foot, programming yourself for success!
First off, get yourself rehydrated. It’s important to start your day with a big glass of water. Overnight your body hasn’t been refreshed.
Next, make sure you eat something. They are not kidding when they say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and NO! Coffee is not breakfast!
Third, make sure to tell your loved ones goodbye as you head out the door on your way to work. Give them a great start by expressing your love and that you know that they will have an awesome day. By sharing your love and care you open your inner self and will quickly find that you get that bounce into your step.
Just those three tips alone can really make a huge difference in your life as you begin each day, but I want to share two more incredibly easy tips to make your day even better and to allow you to empower yourself each morning…
If you commute to work, how do you react to the traffic?
Worse yet, how does your mindset change when the traffic is backed up because of an accident or other incident? Do you start feeling your heartbeat increase? Do you feel that edginess increase and your teeth begin to clench? Are you dreading being late to work? Do you begin to shout at the cars around you, urging them to get a move on?
That is not going to help and it will take a concious effort on your part to change this part of your day….
I wasn’t any different, I promise you. But I learned over time that if I focus on the reality I could change my attitude. I realized that the driver of the car in front of me is just as stuck as I am. The person that just cut me off is only getting there 30 seconds sooner. I am fortunate I was not part of the accident and was not hurt. I hope no one was hurt and no families’ lives will be impacted by tragedy resulting from the accident.
When I started focusing on these things I quickly noticed that I relaxed more and more and the simple reality is that we have ZERO control over it, so why am I going to drive myself into a frenzy? It happens, it sucks, but I refuse to waste an awesome day and a ton of energy by allowing myself to be sucked in.
Just this morning was a great example…
The 2 major highways I take each day as part of my 75 mile roadtrip to the office in the morning BOTH had something going on that caused them to back up a lot more than the normal Houston Rushhour Traffic. Frankly, I don’t even know what caused it all, because it doesn’t matter and I couldn’t control it.
And this is where my final tip for today comes in to help you start your day off on the right foot…
What do you fill your mind with in the morning? Are you watching, reading or listening to the latest news updates? The media has an old mantra that ‘If it bleeds, it leads!’ – now how positive, motivating and inspiring is that?
Are your ears glued to the latest traffic update, waiting to hear the cause of the delay?
I have a friend and mentor who spends her time on the road listening to comedy and laughing and giggling all the way. Do you think she is allowing the traffic to mess up her great mood?
I like to fill my mind with positive things, for example, during the traffic chaos this morning I was enjoying 2 podcasts featuring the incredible Zig Ziglar discussing balancing life after I listened to some clips from Jack Canfield’s Success Principles. Both filled my mind and soul with positivity and you can’t help but laugh at some of their jokes.
I also often use some of this time to over my goals, tasks and appointments for the day. Mentally reviewing what I need to do and prioritzing it all gives me a head start and it is rare that I am caught off guard because I am not ready.
My wife loves to listen to music as she enjoys her favorite tunes.
What puts you in a good mood?
Apply these 5 simple tips and focus on implementing them and allowing them to become good habits in your daily life and you will find yourself starting each day more empowered, focused and energized.
Here’s to your success,
Xavier
The Coaches’ Coach
P.s. Want more inspiration in your life? My gift to you until Sunday, April 7th 2013 – get my book ‘Words Of Wisdom Worth A Second Thought’ at no charge for your Amazon Kindle or Kindle App.
If you enjoyed this article, found it helpful or have feedback and tips of your own to share, please leave your comments below. Feel free to share this article with your friends to help them start each day on the right foot or reprint it in your newsletter provided you do not alter the content. Thank you!