How did you feel when you woke up this morning? Were you happy and glad to be alive or dreading the day of work ahead and already thinking about what you are planning to do with a friend this coming weekend? I think we all have more days like the second. We want to drag our feet to get out of bed and immediately we start worrying about all the work we have to do when we get to the office.  What if I told you it didn’t have to be like this?  Just by changing a few things in our morning routine, we can set ourselves up for happiness and most importantly, for HAVING A GOOD DAY.

I would like to share with you a list of the things I do as part of my daily routine in order to shape the outcome.  Now don’t get me wrong, I’m by no means perfect.  The people closest to me would certainly attest to this.  But when all cylinders are firing, these simple activities help keep me centered and on track towards a wonderful day.

So what are these simple acts you say?

Arise earlier than feels comfortable and spring out of bed as quickly as possible.

Don’t stall here under the covers thinking about how warm it is and how you could just spend all day wrapped in the sheets.  Set that alarm 30 minutes earlier and when you hear the buzzer get up and get moving!

Do a quick stretch and exercise routine to get your blood moving.

This is a part of my morning routine that I have struggled with but I’m getting back in the groove.  I believe that a very simple routine performed daily in conjunction with lots of walking is the best route to go.  I am currently working through the 100 pushups routine, and also follow the blog Zen To Fitness for ideas on exercise simplicity.

Hit the shower first thing and do your morning routine so that this is out of the way.

The shower serves as an excellent time for early morning reflection on the day at hand.  Think positive thoughts as you wake up and reflect upon what you have to contribute to the world today.

Spend 5 minutes making the bed and clearing any leftover clutter from the night before.

It’s a proven fact that having a clean home highly affects your mood, and it all starts with a made bed and having a clean sink.  I strive to maintain this at all times, and by doing so find that it seems a little easier to manage the rest of the house.  Make sure that any “hotspots” like the kitchen table or the coffee table are clear of clutter.  Spending just 5 minutes can make you feel accomplished early on in your day.  This is setting you up for success!

Take a moment to breathe and reflect on something meaningful to you.

This can be anything.  I enjoy spending time with a Shambhala wisdom card.  For others this might be the bible or some other source of inspiration.  The point here is to create space in your morning for reflection on the person you are inspired to be as you go out in the world.

Drink Tea and read your favorite blog.

I personally love Mate, which is something that Tim Ferris introduced me to.  I find that it provides me with the perfect lift without the crash of coffee.  It is also a great source of antioxidants which are of obvious benefit to your health. Green tea is another favorite.  I spend time reading my favorite blogs on my Google Reader while my wife is doing her morning routine.  Because the majority of the blogs that I read are inspirational in nature, this time tends to very uplifting to the spirit.

Eat a healthy breakfast.

I’ll be the first to admit that this one routine that sometimes goes by the wayside.  That being said, I am very fortunate that my work has free yogurt, fruit, string cheese, oatmeal, and other snack items on hand.  The point here is that breakfast is a very important meal of the day and I firmly believe that having something healthy early in the day is mood balancing and helps you put your best foot forth.  It doesn’t need to be anything very complex. In fact, something as simple as an apple and a cup of yogurt will do.

Take your dog for a walk.

My wife and I have a nice morning routine.  Because she walks to the subway each morning for her commute, I tag along wit and also take this as opportunity to get our dog some exercise.  This is one of my favorite times of the day.  The sun is just coming up over the hill and the view of the city skyline glimmering in the sunshine is at its peak.  This time serves as a great chance for us to reconnect and talk about anything that is on our mind.  I feel that it strengthens our relationship.  Our dog Aiden also deserves every minute of it. He is a great friend and respectful member of our family. It feels good to give him the exercise he needs and deserves. I also believe that daily walking is the key to long term health and fitness. (There will be more on this subject in a future blog post).

Smile More.

As you go forth in to your busy day, remember to smile whenever you have the chance.  This is infectious, and a smile at the right time can change the course of history.

Lastly,

Say Aloud “it is going to be a good day”!

The power of positive suggestion is a strong force and simply saying this out loud can have a great effect on your outlook and that of the people around you.  Try to complain less.  When you catch yourself about to complain, try to re-center with a perspective of gratitude for the opportunities you have been afforded. Simply say “it is going to be a good day”!  And guess what? It will be.

Do you have a routine that sets you up for daily success? Drop me a line in the comments.