Start Your Day On the Right Foot

Many people find themselves waking up in the morning not looking forward to the day.  As the morning progresses, it just seems to get worse. Instead of spending your day being grumpy and irate, start your day off on the right foot and make an effort to have a great day.

Have an Attitude of Gratitude

The fact is, there are many people in the world that are in a worse position than you are. No matter how badly you may feel you have it, there is always someone who is enduring more hardships than you are.

Express your gratitude by remembering that you are safe and that things are never as bad as they seem.  Look around at what you have. Don’t worry about what isn’t perfect. Life is pretty good just the way it is, warts and all.

Start Your Day by Helping Someone

There’s no question that there are many others out there that are worse off than you are, and there is always need for help.  Consider starting your day with a plan of action to be helpful to someone else.

As you’re drinking your morning coffee, or taking your morning shower, think about something you can do to make someone else’s life easier today. Why? Because helping someone is a nice thing to do. Generate some good karma, burn off some bad karma, or if you don’t believe in karma, just make an effort to be the kind of person that does nice things for no reason at all. That is, after all, the kind of person that most of us want to be.

Listen to Music

Instead of a ringing alarm clock, start your day by waking up to music.  Make sure the music is positive in nature. Upbeat music works great. Death metal does not.

Music can be used to shape your attitude. If you prefer to wake up to an alarm, you could listen to something motivating as you get dressed. Even when playing softly in the background, the rhythm and sound is received by the subconscious and will color the moment you are in.

For a really positive experience, do light exercises or stretch while listening to the music. If you’re especially ambitious, dance or sing along. Dancing is a wonderful way to celebrate the day, even when dancing alone. I won’t judge; I’ve been known to rock out to the Mighty Mighty Bosstones first thing in the morning myself.

Treat Someone to Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Make someone feel important by sharing breakfast with them. Call a friend or loved one and take them out to breakfast, or, even better, invite them over and cook for them. Eggs, toast and orange juice can really give a positive boost to the day.

Surround Yourself with the Positives

Keep a book of inspirational and positive quotes beside your bed.  Create a habit of reading one as soon as you wake up.  Think it over as you shower, eat and get dressed. Try to see how you can apply it to your day. I use a book called Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson. The chapters are short and the messages are simple but insightful. Perfect for first thing in the morning, or just before bed.

Stay positive. Let go of any stress that you have and just know that you are alive, safe and that anything you dream is possible. Have a great day.