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My Email Box Today

This is in my email box today and I hope you too can find some inspiration in it. I am really drained and uninspired these last few days...I will not let it slide into depression. I think I will try a few of these things...See if I can get some OOmph back into my days.

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How to Create a Powerful Morning Ritual
by Christine Kane

It is said that your habits create your destiny.


I'd add that your habits also create your confidence, courage and even your creativity!

In other words, your daily choices, routines, and seemingly insignificant moments make all the difference in your results.

One of the best ways to generate great results is to create a morning ritual. A powerful morning ritual sets the tone for your entire day - and your entire year!

A ritual is personal. A ritual is creative. (Not reactive!) A ritual is what gets YOU on track to create your best day. (And subsequently, your best life!) It can be as simple as a 15-minute routine, or as intense as long-distance running. The important thing is that it becomes a HABIT.

My morning ritual combines a mixture of physical, mental and heart-centered activities to engage each of these human power centers!

Here are some ideas to help you create your own powerful morning ritual.

Hydrate First
Many Eastern health practitioners recommend chugging down at least a half-liter of filtered room-temperature water first thing. (Yes, before your coffee!)

Upon waking, your body has spent hours without hydration. Drinking pure water at this time triggers a series of physiological functions that keep your body super healthy. Some report that this one practice can actually heal many diseases. (I'm not a scientist – but I can attest to the amazing results!)

Get Moving
Exercise is called "The Number One Form of Preventive Medicine."

It is also a prescription for happiness and a cure for depression! Getting exercise first thing sets your day off right. You can do a simple stretching routine, yoga or an all-out heart-pounding hour at the gym. Pick something do-able and do it.

Meditate
Many people don't meditate because they find it intimidating. I say, start with just 5 minutes. Meditation connects you to your center, and to the deep silence that surpasses any drama that might be happening in the world of your personality. Don't worry about doing it right. Just allow yourself the time to BE.

Set Intention
"Intention rules the earth," says Oprah Winfrey.

It's true! Your intention is a powerful force to engage.

Remembering your intention puts you back on track. You become focused again.

Reflect for a moment on your Word of the Year. Read a goal you've written down for yourself. Remind yourself of a financial dream. (If you're one of my new students in Uplevel Your Business, read the intention you wrote down on the first day of the program!)

You don't have to know the HOW. You just need to set the intention so your inner GPS can stay on target!

Be Grateful
Before I get out of bed, I silently create a morning gratitude list. When I begin my day remembering my "gratitudes," (instead of my "anxieties") my heart fills with extreme joy and deep awareness. I then bring that energy into everything I do - and to everyone with whom I connect.

Use a Netty Pot
(This one's a little weird!)

For years, my acupuncturist told my husband and I to use a Netty Pot. We laughed at him. Then, in the face of acute sinus problems, my husband tried it and became a convert. He converted me.

A Netty Pot uses warm water and a special salt to cleanse your sinuses and clear your breathing. Google it, and let the idea sit with you for a while. (You might be a convert too!)

Eat Creative
Your choice of breakfast foods can set up your success with other meals as well. Start your day off in the healthiest way possible for you - and make it a ritual, not a chore.

Be Prepared: Create a Not-to-Do List
Everyone needs a "Not To Do" morning list.


Suggestions here include anything that brings up a "reactive" state: Turning on the local news. Checking email. Answering texts. Answering the phone.


Let these things wait until AFTER your ritual has been completed!

Your Assignment:
After reading this article, don't just think, "Wow. Those are some good ideas. I should try one or two."


Instead, deliberately create your morning ritual now. Take about 20 minutes to think about and write down what your ritual will be each morning. Start simple at first. Choose one or two items from this menu. Or come up with your own. Write out your Ritual in detail.

Begin first thing tomorrow morning, and let your habits create YOUR destiny starting now!

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How are you feeling these days? Are any of the things suggested above things you already do? Do you believe in rituals, do you have any?

5 comments:

Tammy said...

The first thing I do is take my thyroid med, then 30 mins later I eat breakfast to get the metabolism going, checking email inbetween. I don't exercise first thing in the morning because I'm generally too stiff and sore from the previous night's workout at the gym to move around too much. That's my morning routine. :)

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

I usually hydrate every morning and *try* to exercise. My never-fail morning routine is coffee. That's a no brainer.

MrsLittleJeans said...

These are all very good suggestions, and I already do a few. I do have rituals, e.g. morning prayers, be grateful (this is routinely interrupted when the uncool neighbor's screaming child pierces my ear drums, then I have to fight negative thoughts of why some people have kids...), morning tea and a few crackers (?), drink water, return to good thoughts, mentally block the screamer...it is tough! I try to keep the list simple and to be forgiving! At this moment I am trying to return to my lovely zone where my creative juices get flowing...
Have a great day Andrea!

Victoria Bennett Beyer said...

What an interesting article. I'm going to look into that neti pot thing...

I used to not like the mornings much, but I have a routine now that makes me happy to get up. It begins when I wake up, thankfully, without an alarm clock (that buzzing can ruin an entire day). I lay in bed a few minutes and sometimes I think specifically about being thankful. Sometimes I just revel in the moments of inactivity and sunshine coming through the window. Before long I get up to let my dogs out, and make tea while they eat. Then I hop on the computer and spend the next hour reading my favorite blogs and writing my own entry. This then leads to Etsy-related tasks and sometimes photo editing/filing and I spend the rest of my biz-time (before lunch) doing this, or I find a stopping point and go to my to-do list. I really love my morning time. I think one of the best suggestions on that list is to wait to check e-mail until you are ready to deal with it. I'm always a little fuzzy until I get my tea, and those reactive tasks are best left (for me) until I am more alert. Good luck finding what works for you.

Grey Lemon said...

Thanks for this article and these good advices. I need to improve my rituals!