Yes, it is Wednesday and it is time to focus on YOU!
If you are like me, you are bombarded with “stuff” from the time you start your day. From e-mail, television, interruptions or requests, something is constantly vying for your attention. What’s the result? The best laid plans for the day are tossed by the wayside and by the end the day, I am left wondering where the time went. I get it – it’s life, some days are better than others.
The problem is that when it becomes the norm, it can leave you frustrated, scattered and ineffective. I don’t know about you but when I am feeling that way all of the time – there is chronic stress and a lack of fulfillment, a low level of happiness and my physical health is a mess. An unhappy momma (or wife) does not make for a happy household, right?
Did you know that what you do FIRST makes all the difference in the world to your day? Do you want to be more productive? Do you want to increase your energy level when your plate is full?
It’s all about what you choose to do first. What you do the first 30 minutes you’re awake, the first 30 minutes at work, and with the first portion of your income ensures that no matter how overloaded you are, your most important priorities will not be lost in a sea of distractions. When you do the things that are most important to you first, you free up energy for everything else on your list. Be intentional. Make it easy to accomplish “first things first.” Make them automatic.
Here are five simple things you can do “first” to improve your quality of life right now:
1. Tackle the looming project.
Maybe it is a report you need to finish, a meeting you need to have, or a project waiting for your attention – get started early in the day. Block out the time – whether it’s 15 minutes or four hours – and DO IT! Believe it or not, once that is done, you’ll have more energy because that burden is lifted.
2. Connect with loved ones.
Start the day with a kiss, a hug, or a phone call to someone who matters to you. These are the things that tend to get lost when our schedules get busy. Instead of letting these loving gestures diminish. we need to increase them! Staying connected to others is one of the most important ingredients for well-being. I have even found that when I take a break and spend at least 30 minutes with hubby (no distractions) before he goes to work, I am way more productive.
3. Drink a bottle of water
First thing in the morning, before you even put your feet on the ground, drink a bottle of water. Sit it by your bed before you go to sleep. Drinking water first thing in the morning gets your system moving and your metabolism kicking.
4. Meditate on what you are grateful for.
While drinking that bottle of water, why not think about all of the things that are good in your life. “Whatever things are good, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a good report, think on these things,” the apostle Paul wrote. Research shows that expressing gratitude has health benefits and meditation actually changes your brain chemistry for the better. So first thing in the morning, pray a prayer of gratitude. This will also keep start the Law of Attraction for the day.
5. Save some money and give some away.
For some you are already letting the negative inner gremlins rear their heads, right? This is a tough one for many. The truth is that if we don’t give or save money when it first comes in, you’ll rarely have much left over to do. But somehow, when you give first and save first, your spending becomes aligned with your goals. That’s because you’ve made your goal – saving and giving – your top priority. Set up automatic debits from your paycheck or checking account so you don’t even have to think about it! This was a tough one for me too! The truth is that when I set up the auto debits from my checking account, it happens and then I don’t think about the money in the savings account. Start with $5 once a month but start.
I challenge you to put first things first. See what a difference it makes for you and then share it with us. What priority is not first on your list of actions today? I can’t wait to hear from you…
Have a ThirtyOne-deful day!
Hope Wissel 