16 Ways to Jumpstart Your Day

Photo by Mizz Amontillado
I love mornings.  I appreciate my mornings so much because not too long ago, I didn't have mornings to enjoy.   Well, the mornings were there.  They were just insane.

Working east coast hours from the west coast, I used to fly into the bathroom at 4:00 a.m., flip on the micro-coffee pot - that's right. the coffee pot was in my bathroom - and then jump into a fast and furious shower.  I could wash my hair and shave both legs in less than 7 minutes on a good day.  By 4:20 a.m. I was speeding down Columbus Ave. to the 12th floor of the Transamerica Pyramid building for the start of a 4:30 a.m. meeting.

The meeting was broadcast over a loud speaker so I could read the newspaper, scan multiple news services, review overnight emails and research, and choke down an apple while listening to CNN and MSNBC on the jumbo screen tv's - all at the same time. 

If this sounds even a little bit like your morning, know that you don't need that frantic morning pace in order to succeed or get everything done that you want to get done in the day.  The reality is, starting out at that level of adrenaline and cortisol so early in the morning leads to ineffective decision making and burn out.  Its kind of like trying to run a marathon at the pace of a sprint.  You use all your juice right off the start line and then limp through the rest of the race at a lackluster crawl.

I've change my morning routine to include exercise, an awesome breakfast, time for reflection and planning, and a few moments with my kids.  This is what works for me and allows me to accomplish more during a day with less effort and angst.  But a zen morning is not for everybody.  Regardless of how you choose to start your day, begin with a choice.  Replace your frantic habit with a powerful morning routine that will support you in being productive for the rest of the day.

Here is a list of 16 ideas to jump start your day in a powerful way.  If what you are doing is not empowering you throughout your day, why not try something new?

1. Exercise. You will feel better.  You will look better. Over time, you will absolutely be healthier. My husband, along with a few other professionals we know, recently started riding his bike to work.  He keeps a suit and shirts at the office.  He now squeezes 40 minutes of exercise into every work day and has a terrific morning routine.

2. Breathe.  Take a few deep breaths to clear your head and bring a good dose of oxygen to your brain and your body .

3. Appreciate.  Look around at your quiet surroundings and take a moment to appreciate.  Appreciate your home, your spouse, children,  a favorite pet or your good health.  Just notice how fortunate you are today.

4. Break the routine.  Do something different or out of the ordinary like drive a different route to work or shave before your shower instead of after.  This wakes up your brain and increases your awareness of your environment.

5. Start the night before.  Make a list the night before of the most important things that need your energy tomorrow.  Let your subconscious mind work on your plan while you are sleeping.

6. Plan.  If you didn't do it the night before, make a plan for your day.  Review your appointments and make notes about other issues that need your attention.

7. Be the master of your Blackberry/email.  Don't turn on your Blackberry or check your email and messages until you are ready to move into reaction mode.  I use to check my messages before driving my kids to school so the whole time we were in the car, I was wishing I was back at my desk.  This created stress and drained my energy so now, I wait.  It can be done and good people everywhere are learning how!

8. Get intentional.  Have a conversation with yourself.  What do you want to achieve this day?  What do you want to create?  How do you want to feel?  What impact do you want to have walking into the next meeting?

9. Affirmations. If you are an affirmations person like I am, read them, say them, sing them - whatever works to bring forward that positive mental attitude.

10. Affection.  Hug your spouse.  Have sex before the kids wake up. Kiss your children good-bye or tell them that you love them just because they need to hear it.

11. Listen to inspiring music. Ramp up your mojo by listening to some uplifting music.  For an extra kick, move your body a bit - dance.

12. Nature.  If you are fortunate enough to have easy access to the great outdoors, take a walk or sit on the porch and enjoy a cup of coffee.  Nature can work wonders in just minutes, really just minutes.

13. Read.  Save the paper for later and grab something inspiring like a great biography, success story, or spiritual text.  A couple of pages is sufficient.

14. Yes, eat your Wheaties!  Eat a healthy breakfast loaded with complex carbohydrates (i.e fruit and whole grains) and some protein.  When in doubt - eat an apple.  Your brain and your body need the fuel to get started.  Even though you don't feel hungry because your body is in fasting mode while you are sleeping - eat something anyway to fuel your brain and ramp up your physiological systems.

15. Self care.  Meditate. Reflect.  Write in a daily journal.

16. Follow your natural rhythm. Everyone has a rhythm.  Some people wake up ready to go and others take awhile.  Honor your natural rhythm. If you are a person who needs more time, think about getting up a few minutes earlier and allowing yourself time to transition into the pace of the day.  On the other hand, if you wake up bursting with energy, you can make good use of it by getting some rigorous exercise before you throw on that jacket and tie and head to the office.