Not all people are “morning-people,” case-in-point….my husband is not a morning person, he gets up grumbling about how little sleep he got and demanding to know when someone is going to feed the damn cats. My daughter, is not a morning person. I drive her to school every morning and try to have a 20 minute conversation with her, and all she can say to me is “mom, you know I hate the mornings, please don’t talk.” I have always been a “morning-person.” I get up on the right side of the bed, I feel positive and energized. Here are ten tips to help you kick-start YOUR morning so your days can be less stressed, more productive and at the end you will feel more relaxed.

• Organize your morning routine. Everyone has one, it’s really a process of getting up and getting on with the day. I once learned in a project management class, that “variance is evil to all processes.” This is true.
• Set your alarm, snooze once, say to yourself…..”I WILL get up on the next alarm, then do it. Sit on the side of the bed for a minute, stretch your arms and back, take a long deep breath, hold it and then breath out slowly.
• Use affirming thoughts when you first wake up, stop complaining about how early it is or how you hate your job. There are those less fortunate than you, who wish they had a home, a bed to sleep in and a job to pay the bills.
• Pamper yourself a little in the morning, use a special soap, shampoo or aromatherapy in the shower. Use scents with energizing aromas like eucalyptus, mint or citrus, to “wake up” the senses.
• If you like coffee in the morning, set the pot the night before so you wake up to the smell of your favorite blend. When you step out of the shower, go get yourself a cup while you shave or do your make-up.
• Eat something with protein in it to get the brain and metabolism going.
• Feel prepared for your day. If you need to go to a destination you’ve never been to before, use a navigator or mapping program. Make sure the car is full of gas and you know where your keys are.
• Expect the unexpected and then don’t be surprised when it happens. If you know traffic is a nightmare, plan alternate routes.
• Plan for the weather.
• Make extra copies for your early morning meetings, don’t expect the secretary to do it, because this will be the day she calls out sick.

I could go on, but I think you get the picture. The idea is the more you plan and prepare, the better you will feel. More than half of really living is a “mind-set,” if you wake up telling yourself you hate your life and it’s going to be a crappy day, then, guess what? It will.

If you agree, disagree or just want to add a tip or two, feel free to comment.