By Joan Mbago
The year has just begun, or so it feels like, but we are already well into March. 2024 is still looking fresh and there is still so much time to unpack, upgrade, work on and improve oneself. If you believe in starting your day on a positive note, then this article is definitely for you. If you want to work towards it then consider it too. After all, they say what you do in the morning, basically sets the tone for the rest of the day.
If there is one thing I would have admitted to last year, was failing drastically in planning my day. If I was not behind on work, it was extreme work overload, battling procrastination or grappling with fatigue and stress. There was no plan, no memo, just vibes and cruising throughout the day and hopefully letting the universe take care of everything. This year however I am determined not fall into the same pattern. In light of the new year, it is only right to figure out something that will guide us towards the day, the week, month and hopefully throughout the year. If you resonate with what I am saying , then take a glass and sip on whatever calms you and enjoy.
The question that begs to be answered is , what are we missing in our daily routine? What are we doing wrong and how can we do it right? Let’s get into some solutions based on my research.
- Waking up with Gratitude/Affirmations: Start your day by waking up with gratitude. It helps shift in focus, mindfulness and promotes positive energy. Instead of immediately thinking about your days challenges or what you might be perhaps
lacking, it is important to focus on what you are grateful for in your life. Another is, to work on choosing and repeating positive words and statements about yourself and your life. This will help build confidence and challenge negative thoughts.
- MAKING YOUR BED: This simple act provides a sense of accomplishment, order and discipline and a good physical and mental space for the day ahead.
- DIGITAL DETOX: Digital detox will improve your sleep, enhance productivity and contribute towards a better mental health. Minimize on technology use , especially right after waking up. We all know social media can consume unnecessary time that can often expose you to potentially negative news that might impact your mood for the day .
- EXERCISING IN THE MORNING: Exercising increases your energy levels, stress reduction, improved mood and improved blood circulation. Consider engaging in early morning.
- PRIORITIZING TASK AND TIME BLOCKING: Create a to do list with the most important tasks at the top, basically prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance. Prioritizing tasks allows one to break down larger tasks into smaller ones making them more manageable and create steps to make them less overwhelming. Another is, time blocking, which allows one to allocate specific periods for your different tasks. It will help manage work overload and prevent procrastination.
- MUSIC: What’s life without music. I think the trick with this one, is choosing the right songs, crafting the right playlist to set you into a positive mood for the day.
It’s never too late to craft the perfect morning, day and life that you want. I have gone to working and I am only getting better. I hope this article helps you, as much as it has helped me craft a positive start towards my day.
