Michael

Watch your manner of speech if you wish to develop a peaceful state of mind. Start each day by affirming peaceful, contented and happy attitudes and your days will tend to be pleasant and successful. – Norman Vincent Peale

How do you start your day?

Is it a struggle? Are you grumpy? Do you love the mornings? Are you slightly comatose (like me)? Is it the best or worst part of your day? Do you start with a great attitude or one of dread?

How you start your day can set the stage for your entire waking experience until you go to sleep. In fact, the first thoughts of the morning can help set both positive and negative expectations. I personally choose the positive thoughts. I’ve tried the other way. It’s not near as pleasant.

Before you get up in the morning, take a few moments to set the stage for a better day. Your thoughts can be as simple as enjoying the feel of your bed as you stretch your limbs. You could think of some enjoyable moments you will have later in the morning. You could begin to savor that first cup of coffee or tea before you even boil the water. The specific thoughts are not so important, but the feeling behind them are extremely vital for carrying positivity throughout your day. Whatever works for you, make sure that your thoughts right after you wake up make you smile and feel great. The effect on your day will be dramatic.

At the end of your day, before you fall asleep and as you lay in your bed, remember all the good things that happened. Think about how nice it will be to experience some good things tomorrow. Make your last thoughts be positive ones. When you wake up in the morning, you’ll be slightly ahead of the game and can get an easier start on positive thinking.

Try this out. You could be pleasantly surprised and find these two small techniques to be quite addicting.

Michael