Some days don’t start right. They sputter into being. The alarm clock chirps, leaving you wondering, “What is that noise? Oh. OH.” The stumble out of bed, the walk toward coffee or the closet to grab the running shoes.
This is going to be a hard morning, but you’re making the most of it. You’re starting the day right by falling into the routine. A routine is good in that way. It settles the mind and heart and prepares the body for the day ahead.
At least, I find that to be the case. Maybe I have an unfair advantage as a morning person. In any case, here are a couple of ways I—and you—can start the day right.
1. Exercise
Exercise isn’t good only for the body. It’s good for the mind. I do a lot of my thinking while I’m running—not usually when I’m lifting weights or doing lunges. I’m concentrated on the number of reps and muttering under my breath.
I can think about many things, but I sometimes focus my energy. I ponder a sticky problem with a design I’m working on. I go through an outline for an eBook or white paper. By the time I get home, I have a structure in place or a potential remedy for the design. I write both down. As with good ideas during the middle of the night, the ones discovered while running can turn to mist during the day.
2. Breakfast
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” I don’t know if that’s been scientifically proven or if it’s an old wives’ tail. For me, it is the most important meal, mostly because of my diabetes. If I don’t have a meal, I will more than likely crash by 8 a.m.
For further proof of breakfast’s validity, I have only one word: coffee.
3. Bible Study
I’m actually really bad about spending time in the Bible in the morning. I usually read and study my Bible later in the day. It works, but I see the benefits and blessings found in starting the day with God. He’s the one who settles my heart and mind and works through my hands. He gets me focused on what matters: glorifying him in all that I think, feel, and do.
4. To-Do List
I write out and prioritize my to-do list at the end of the workday, but I always look at it afresh in the morning. Maybe one priority can be shifted to later in the day. I want to make the best use of my time, so I reassess and act accordingly.
5. All the Devices
If I’m not using my phone during a workout—I have to have music, and I sometimes use a tabata format—I leave it another room. I don’t want it to distract me. I’ve already turned off a number of notifications on the thing, but it’s still a distraction. I keep it hidden for a while so that I can focus on whatever is at hand.
What about you? How do you start the day right?
Image: bark (Creative Commons)