I used to start my mornings with the jolt of an alarm clock that would set into motion a mental list of tasks that I needed to get done throughout the day. This habit enabled me to get a lot of “stuff” done. But, over time, I began to notice that even though I was productive I wasn’t necessarily maximizing my impact and my personal fulfillment. I needed a new, and more meaningful way to kick-off my day.
So, I developed a practice of asking myself five questions each morning. These simple questions help me approach each day with greater intention and less reactivity. Before I had this practice my default mindset for my day was “be productive.” The five questions are guided by a different mindset — “make a difference.”
What am I grateful for today?
What is the impact I want to have today?
How is this priority going to translate into the way I use my time today?
What relationships do I want to invest in and nurture today?
How am I going to take care of myself today (physically, intellectually, emotionally, etc.)?
Going into the day having reflected on these questions helps me put surprises, distractions, and disappointments into perspective. These questions enable me to focus on those things that matter most and that I can actually influence. Since my morning ritual is to drink a cup of coffee or tea at the office, I’ve set a “rule” that I ask myself these questions before I take my first sip. What would you use as your “daily five” questions to begin each day? Please share them in the comments section below!
photo credit: Bethan
I keep a simple journal in which I answer these 3 questions every morning AFTER I do 15-45 minutes of exercise and BEFORE I check email or make tea or coffee:
1. What went well yesterday?
2. What could have been better?
3. Who/what am I grateful for?
This combination, in this order, written down, gives me a balanced start to the day.
These questions are great. I hope others add theirs as well. I think self-directed questions really draw on a different part of our brain (the non-binary, good vs. bad) part and enable us to stay with a question, explore the gray areas, etc.
Absolutely love this, especially the inspiring function of the first sip bargain! I think your questions are beautiful, i’ll begin here, and share if I revise them in any astounding ways!
What a wonderful practice, Larry. Thank you for sharing this insight.
I have been working on intention in all aspects of my life recently. I really like this take. Thanks for sharing, I am certainly going to try this out.
HI Larrry: I loved this exercise. One thing that occurred to me is to remember my short personal mission statement (in my case: to forge paths so that goodness prevails) and ask myself: what is one way in which I will live this mission today?
Love your personal mission statement Ross! Thanks for sharing it.