How Do You Start Your Morning?

Setting the stage for a successful day doesn't usually happen by accident. Does life happen to you, or do you happen to life? What's in your "Hour of Power?"

by Pete Ferguson

I found a great article shared on the LinkedIn homepage from Fast Companyreminding me of the importance of how to start a day which also gave me some new insight.

I love taking control of my day by waking up early. M,T,F we get up at 4:45 to meet our friends at the gym and have our butts handed to us. Regardless of the day of the week, by 6:15 or so I'm reading, blogging, and studying. By 8:00 I'm headed to the shower and then whatever work may bring.

The idea of creating my ideal day, almost every day, has brought more enjoyment into life than anything else I've ever done. Going in reverse order when I get home adds a nice bonus. During the summer we've gone on walks or ran at the track in the evenings, some nights I can catch up on personal email and blog or read ahead.

Now that school has just started, evenings will take on their own persona of homework, school activities, projects, Scouts, etc.

From the Fast Company article:

Don’t Check Your Email for the First Hour. Seriously. Stop That. “Reading e-mails at home never feels good or productive,” says Tumblr founder David Karp. “If something urgently needs my attention, someone will call or text me.”

Gain Awareness, Be Grateful"[Think] of everything you’re grateful for: in yourself, among your family and friends, in your career, and the like. After that, visualize “everything you want in your life as if you had it today.” ~ Tony Robbins

Do the Big, Shoulder-Sagging Stuff First - Choose your "frog" and eat it firstwhen you arrive at work or are done with the Hour of Power investment piece. According to Mark Twain, "if you eat a live frog first thing in the morning, you’ve got it behind you for the rest of the day, and nothing else looks so bad." I hadn't ever thought of getting the worst part of the day behind me first - but I will now.