Photo credit: wallyir from morguefile.com
My best days are the ones that begin with purposeful intention and presence.
~Having one cup of quality brewed coffee while reading a few pages from a well-fingered book of inspiration.
~Looking outside my window and observing the dancing clothes on the washing-line and cicadas singing in the background.
~Being thankful that I get another chance to figure out what it is I need to do to create my best life for today.
Beginning with a ritual
I take out my planner and although I might already have things scheduled, I check in.
Is there someone I need to connect with today? Someone who has been on my mind?
What is the ONE thing that I will commit to, in order to move my current goals forward today?
What’s my primary motivation for today? How do I want to feel and what do I want to experience in ONE word?
Are my thoughts supporting and compassionate to myself and the world at large?
That’s it.
The days that I carry out this little ritual are some of my best days.
The days that I resist or can’t be bothered?
Those are the days that do not begin with the same energy or intent. Those are the days that I have a sluggish start, am uncertain and fail to show up in the way that I know I am capable of.
I don’t sweat myself over it anymore, but I am aware. I remind myself to start again tomorrow.
Getting up so early
For me, getting up at 5am is my favourite time of the day and often my most rewarding.
When my kidlets were babies and I was running around on very little sleep it was more challenging.
I was resistant to the idea. Get up even earlier than I already do? Are you crazy serious?
What I learned is that even when severely sleep-deprived, those ten minutes made a difference.
Instead of hitting the ground running, you get to create that small space just for you.
You get to wake up properly and decide how you are going to begin and shape your day.
You might even find that you are now able to greet your early morning wake up call with a smile rather than a groan.
Other ideas to begin your day with intention and purpose
- Meditate for 5 minutes
- Write in your journal
- Read a poem or something that routinely inspires and challenges you.
- Think of one-act of kindness you can do for one other person and commit to doing it.
- Learn one new thing. A word from the dictionary or another language. A new recipe to try or how to fix that broken toy that’s been sitting on the bench for a month.
- Sit outside, enjoy the morning air and do nothing!
- Have a morning phrase or affirmation and say it out loud every morning for several weeks.
- Write down one task for the day that is going to make a positive difference to your life and commit to completing it.
- Create a ‘theme’ for the day and live by it. For example, have a ‘love’ day, ‘productivity’ day or ‘rest’ day.
- Spend five minutes decluttering. Delete old emails, sort out some paperwork or tidy up your desk.
- Do five mins of Yoga, Pilates or stretching.
- Strike one thing OFF your to-do list
- Take 5 deep breaths and think of three things you are grateful for.
About kirri
I so agree Kirri. I know that if I don’t have a plan or intention for my day, it usually ends up being less-productive and takes a lot more effort to get through. My little ritual in the mornings is to get up at 5am, exercise, shower, have quiet time/journal. That is ‘my’ time to recharge and focus for the day. I really struggle on the days where I sleep in or miss those things.
Debbie @ Aspiring Mum recently posted..Creativity for the Non-creative.
I’m a 5am starter as well….sometimes 4.30am (Queensland summer time!). Great to learn I’m not the only early morning freak out there
kirri recently posted..The things I know about being at peace with parenting
Always a cupnof strong coffee before I hit the ground running. Eating breakfast whie I make lunch etc.
You are so right. I need to take your advice and set the tone for my day, instead of the day setting it for me! I’m guessing updating Facebook and Twitter don’t count?
How about I read your latest blog post first thing? Your words always calm me and force me to slow down.
Tamara recently posted..Kreativ Blogger nomination!
Do you do some burpees and pull-ups with your coffee? I can totally see you doing that…somehow
kirri recently posted..Sinking into sameness
Found you through Deb @ Home Life Simplified and I am loving your advice so far.
Thanks for sharing this!
bianca x
Hi Bianca – Happy to have Debs friends over anytime. Thanks for the love!!
kirri recently posted..The things I know about being at peace with parenting
So true – so often I feel I’m starting the day on the back foot and not only does it set the tone for my day but that of the house as well. Thanks for another great post.
Nee recently posted..Happiness is…
I agree Nee – its often the women/mums who are capable of setting the tone for the whole house….We’re that powerful
You can always change your attitude and approach if things go pear-shaped, but it’s so much easier to begin with purposeful intention.
kirri recently posted..Sinking into sameness
Love this Kirri – i just shared a different link on my FB page about intentions and will add this one too.
Right now i have been starting my day with emails and coffee and comments and FB and TOO MUCH! I am currently figuring out how i WANT to start my day instead of letting my day start like wild horses.I have to trust the universe can wait 45 minutes more for me to have time on my terms – mind is ticking over as we speak.
Deb @ Home life simplified recently posted..Narrowing down my core values by getting to the heart of the matter
I think you just said exactly what a lot of us need to hear Deb!
kirri recently posted..How to keep pursuing what you want when life sucks.
This is such a good reminder Kirri. The smallest intention can make such a big difference to the day and I have largely lost this focus since having kids. I think I manage it still when working (i.e. I know what tasks I have to complete that day) but for personal stuff I have definitely been letting my tiredness and basic routines run the day. My challenge is kids who wake up between 5 and 5:30 – carving out time for myself before that is tough. But as you say, even 10 minutes would help!! Thanks for a really good suggestion of how to feel more focused and welcoming of the day. At the moment my day starts with breastfeeding baby Kirri – as of tomorrow I shall try to turn this into a brief meditation.
Jen Martin recently posted..The irony and the ecstasy
It is a lot more challenging when you have babies for sure Jen and some nights you will need that extra 10 minutes in bed, but when you can, take that time for yourself. Meditating, even for 5-10 minutes is a fab idea.
Pop back and let us know how you went
kirri recently posted..The importance of simple kindness
Great tips, Kirri ! Especially the one about decluttering – both email and your mind (meditation).
Hope you are taping that meditation stick Gracie….I know how much of a difference it has been making to your day (mine too).
kirri recently posted..The best days start with intention
oh god, your a morning person too.. my wife is. although, it is a good time of day. quiet and less traffic stress to deal with
Dad Blog Tork recently posted..SnoozeShade Review for Infant Car Seats
I sure am
kirri recently posted..The one thing you need to start creating the life you truly desire
Still at the stage where every precious minute of time in bed counts double against sleep-deprivation when the minions (18 months, twins) are not so nice to let me. I was never a morning person anyway but I do know that when I am up early, especially when I am outside early, I love it. Just not enough at this particular time to give up those precious minutes. Yet.
x
Really Ninja recently posted..THINGS I KNOW about Texas
18 month old twins and serious sleep deprivation? Yup, I know how that one goes. As long as you are taking care of you, as much as you can.
kirri recently posted..The importance of simple kindness
I do my morning pages (on 750words.com). Ok, not first thing in the morning, after I feed the kids and make sure they are happy, but as early in the day as I can.
Tat recently posted..Loving my body is like loving my children
I love that practice Tat! I used to do that a few years ago when I first read Julia Cameron’s book. It’s all about creating your own daily ritual that increases mindfulness and gets you connected with whatever it is that lights your fire!
kirri recently posted..The best days start with intention
I set my alarm and head to the gym before everyone else gets up. I have a list from the night before and I think about my day when running on the treadmill.
Starting with intention is such a great way to describe it!
PlanningQueen recently posted..Starting Preschool
Sounds like a great start to the day Nic. I always find that some of my most creative ideas flow when I am running and then seem to lose real form by the time I am making the trip home. Some kind of ‘thought’ recorder would be great?
kirri recently posted..The best days start with intention
Very inspiring! And of course, I totally agree. If we want to have a nice day, we have to begin it early. And the rituals. They’re so important for me. It can break my daily routine when I’m running out of coffee or I don’t have enough time to prepare the breakfast for my family. But if everything goes fine, it makes the morning fresh and smiling, and after the kids are gone to school, I can do my job with passion and I feel energized while doing it.
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