01 Jul 2022
Most of us have a to-do list at work. If we have not prepared it beforehand, one of our first work tasks is to put things in order.
- What needs doing first?
- Is anything on a deadline?
- What is pressing or needed urgently?
- Is there an obvious stacking system emerging?
What we are doing here is setting ourselves up for greater success. By organising our tasks, we are making priority decisions about our workload.
My suggestion is that we take a similar approach to how we start and end our day.
Most successful people start their planning the day before. Here are some suggestions.
End of the day preparation
- Take the last 15-30 minutes of your working day to review how things have gone
- What is still to be done?
- Can you prioritise this into some sort of logical order for tomorrow?
- Are there things still waiting to be completed? What?
- Now assemble a ‘subject to change’ list for the next day and leave it somewhere prominent. (Yes, we know all this could change at 8am)
- Take a moment to visualise the tasks coming together
- See things working out smoothly with all your ‘ducks in a row’
- Tidy your desk and stack things in your elected order
How would it feel to start your day organised like this rather than facing a jumble of things vying for your attention? You will be far more efficient and less resistant if you start from a place of order and calm.
Your bedtime ritual for success
When you go to bed, again, give yourself some wind down time. Bring your day to mind and note the achievements you have made.
Let yourself anticipate the day to come. Imagine moving effortlessly through your task and enjoying the process.
How good would it be to see it all coming together with least effort – before it happens?
Visualising is a powerful way to imagine things into Being. Do not under-estimate the power of focussed, persistent energy to help you move through your day.
Doing just these two exercises will be great preparation for success.
Now think how your smoothly your day might pan out if you apply the same approach on waking.
Most of us roll out of bed tired, irritated, and resistant. Why not try a new tack instead? It’ll take a while to become a new habit and you will need to build in this ‘me time’ to your usual routine.
Your morning success routine
On waking, lie still before rising. You may like to imagine your pre-planned day washing over you, seeing everything pan out beautifully.
Let it feel as easy and as smooth as it can. Allow yourself to feel it unfolding as you foresee.
Now, as you move through your morning routine, see your day unwrapping itself as gently as possible.
How we show up in our day is a mental attitude. Yes, things may go pear-shaped, but it is your attitude to this that will determine how you process it.
Approach your day angry and you will feel it differently.
You want to go for a ‘serene swan’ mentality, so use any mindful exercise you can to help you prepare for as easy an experience as possible.
Your success will be down to how you approach it. If you find the exercises are not working for you, look again at your thinking.
Even amidst chaos we can still make progress if we have the right habits and reactions built in as standard.
What you say to yourself as you still your mind and focus on calm is not as important as being consistent in your habit.
Here is a small suggestion for your morning ease. Feel free to change up the words to make them more relevant to your personal situation and language:
As I greet my day, I ask calm to wrap itself around me
I step into my day gently and lightly
The day cushions me and I am safe
Everything goes smoothly
My heart is light
The day comes to meet me in a gentle hug
And I am ready to shine
May your days roll out with love and light.
I look forward to meeting you at the inaugural NAEO conference in Coventry.
Geraldine
You can download Preparing for the Day – Creating your Morning Ease Routine at https://www.geraldinejozefiak.com/preparing-for-the-day
You’ll find details of CPD training, courses, workshops, talks and presentations at www.GeraldineJozefiak.com