Every morning is a fresh new beginning.  Yesterday, no matter how good or how bad, is over.  A temporary elapsing of time that is now carved in stone never to be changed.  It is the new morning that is truly the gift that marks a new day yet to be lived.  Very quickly this new day will slip away and live among the memories of yesterday.

So many people spend their precious gift of today dwelling on yesterday or worrying about tomorrow.  It’s really quite sad, because they are missing the beauty of today.  We all know this, but strangely it often gets put on ignore.  Is it because we take tomorrow for granted?  Do we think that it’s tomorrow where our treasures are found or our freedom awaits?        

So—are you wondering how all this pertains to you, the Manager?  I am fully aware, from my own experience, that you have a high level of responsibility, countless demands placed on your time and energy, all mixed in with your desire to do a good job.  Some days it seems that everyone wants a piece of you and you can get spread pretty thin.  If daily you wake up and hit the floor running, then spend your day playing catch up, not to mention keep everyone motivated and happy, eventually it will take its tole on you.

Just imagine for a moment if every morning you followed a routine designed uniquely by you and for you, to refresh and reset.  Wouldn’t it be great to wake up looking forward to this new day?  To set yourself up to be prepared for whatever comes your way?         

Years ago I developed a morning routine for myself that I grew to treasure, and I certainly would not call myself a morning person.  It didn’t only serve to set the tone for my day, but gave me a deep sense of peace and connection to myself.

One day it just hit me—I was totally stressing myself out before I even got out of the shower!  I would let my mind get wound up and start it’s wild, run away thinking.  Stressing over all the things I needed to do when I got to work.  All the things I needed to clean up from yesterday.  If I was going to be dealing with a difficult situation, the shower seemed the perfect place to start silently rehearsing what I was going to say, and then speculating the other person’s response or reaction. I can actually see humour in it now, because I was the only one responsible for this!  It was so self sabotaging!    

I knew I needed to make a change, because of the way I “felt”.  My intuition was telling me long before I chose to quiet down and listen.  Ahhhhh, but when I listened, it was then that I realized I held the power.  It is all there for you too!!

I urge you to give thought to how you begin your day.  As you read over the questions I have outlined below, pay attention to what feelings stir up in you.  Is your intuition trying to get you to listen?

Questions:

1. Do you hit your alarm snooze in the attempt of getting just a little more sleep?
2. Do you sit on the side of your bed, before you are even fully awake, and check for any new messages on your phone?
3. Do you allow yourself enough time in the morning to get ready without rushing?
4. Do you let your thoughts of the upcoming day, or yesterday, run wild while you shower?
5. Do you just quickly grab something to wear, because you are in a hurry or bored?
6. Are you texting with people while you are trying to get ready, putting yourself even further behind schedule?
7. Do you eat a healthy breakfast and prepare your lunch?
8. Do you get half way to work and starting second guessing whether you unplugged or turned something off at home?
9. Do feelings of guilt show up, because maybe you were a little short or impatient with someone at home, someone you love?
10. Do you ever arrive at work just on time, feeling tired and stressed already?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone.  This exercise is not meant for you to judge or punish yourself.  The message that I want you to hear, is that you have the knowledge and the power, already within you to create what you desire, and to make change where you want change!!   

 Consider This Instead:

1. Set your alarm to allow yourself more than enough time to get ready.
2. Be mindful and pay attention to what you are doing.  As your thoughts start to run wild, bring your attention back to the present, to exactly what you are doing at the moment.  Switch off your auto pilot.    
3. Sit down and eat a healthy breakfast.  What are you having today for lunch and snacks?  Your body is relying on you for nourishment.
4. Take time when choosing what to wear.  It is extremely important that you feel good about yourself.  That you are comfortable and confident.
5. Declare yourself “Master and Commander” of your phone!  Check your messages only when you are ready to!  Don’t let yourself feel rushed to reply, and never reply from a place of anger or frustration.  That’s the beauty of a text message or email.  You have time to think, to get yourself in a calm place and reply appropriately with respect.
6. Give your loved ones—your children, your partner, you know who they are—the gift of your complete and undistracted attention before you separate for the day.  Tell them what you most want them to know, and listen to what they have to say.  Don’t take, “See ya later!”, for granted.

Now, it’s all up to you.  Be kind to yourself!  There is no perfect way here!  Don’t wait to celebrate until you have checked off all the boxes.  If you implement one new thing that makes you feel good, and improves your level of happiness, it is well worth it!