How to Set The Tone, or Start The Day Off Right

How do you begin your day? For that matter, do you think it makes any difference? Most people rush to wake up, watch the news, do not eat a good breakfast, if any at all, check email, and fly out the door so they won’t be late to work. This random, reactionary and usually chaotic routine will almost always set the tone for how the rest of your day will go. If you are a leader, you set the tone for your team and those who follow you. Is this really how you want your organization to run, and your people to work?

Let’s get this concept first. We have all heard, "trash in, trash out". This is about what you read, watch and think about. Look at it this way, if you are working on a project, or in a work out program, there is a process to it. A progression and flow to how you go about it. Most people would never be random about following a good plan in either of these situations. So, why don’t you make a plan to start the day off right? If you begin to be diligent about doing this, your chaotic beginnings will calm down into a positive and purposeful habit that effects everything else. Oh yeah, your people will notice this, and if you let them know about this practice and encourage it, they will follow your lead.

• Wake up slowly. Do NOT pop open your eyes and jump out of bed! Take control of your thoughts, be thankful for what is in your life, pray, remember a time of happiness or a success. Ease into these thoughts, do a slow stretch, and ease out of bed.
• Coffee... Or whatever beverage you are into, but it really should be a good coffee. NOT Folgers either. A good, preferably local roast, freshly ground!
• Set aside at least thirty minutes to an hour to read. Get a book, The Bible, or a great spiritually centered book, and begin with that for the first half of your reading time. Next, grab a great thought provoking or motivational book for the rest of your reading time.
• Do not read the paper, turn on the news, check your email, or listen to the radio. Catching up on current events can be done later in the day. When you do, be very purposeful about what you plug in to and make sure it is concise, and not emotionally driven. Most news is designed to get its hooks in you with sensationalism and negativity. Avoid this.
• Do something physical, if you can, for thirty minutes. Fifteen is better than nothing. Break a sweat, and use this time to begin to think about and plan your day with an attitude of gratitude and success in mind.
• Evangelize, lead, tell your team, guide them, inspire, and coach! Set the tone! Start the day off right! This is your life, be influential in the best way possible. Show them how to win!

"Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be."

— Ralph Waldo Emerson