An intentional morning sets you up for a successful day.
The alarm clock goes off. What’s next? You should have a plan, because an intentional morning leads to an intentional day!
Professional speaker and consultant Patrick Dickerson shared the significance of starting your day with intention.
Applying Corporate Principles at Home
Patrick, who works with business professionals to improve their workplace environment, said that the same principles can be applied at home. “As a leadership consultant and speaker, we talk about skills that are practical for them to use so that they can ensure success for their day,” he explained. One of these essential skills is intentionality, which involves being purposeful and deliberate in your actions while focusing on a desired outcome or goal.
Intentionality is not just a buzzword; it has tangible benefits. Patrick likened the home to a living, breathing organism, with you as the heartbeat. “Just as a heartbeat is required for an organism to live, that household needs that living organism as well… and you’re it,” he said. By setting a positive tone, you can help your home thrive with positive energy and purpose.
Pre-Deciding Your Morning Routine
One of Patrick’s key recommendations is to pre-decide your morning routine. He borrows this concept from Craig Groeschel, a prominent speaker and leadership guru. “The more that we can pre-decide, the more we’re going to be successful,” Patrick said. This involves making decisions the night before, such as laying out your kids’ clothes or deciding on breakfast. These small decisions can significantly ease the chaos of the morning.
Personalizing Your Routine
Patrick emphasized the importance of personalizing and customizing your morning routine. “Each household is different, so we need to make sure that we’re focused on personalizing it,” he advised.
Two critical aspects to consider are avoiding the snooze button and taking time for yourself. “Think about that 10-minute snooze; that’s 10 minutes you could have used for yourself,” he noted. Activities like reading, meditating, or exercising for just 10 minutes can help you start the day with purpose and energy.
Practical Tips for Implementation
Patrick offered four practical tips for implementing a successful morning routine:
- Start Small: “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he reminded us. Begin with small changes and gradually build on them.
- Celebrate the Wins: Focus on what you accomplished rather than what you didn’t. “Celebrate those wins,” he encouraged.
- Consistency: “Consistency compounds,” Patrick said. Being consistent helps improve your routine over time.
- Adjust as Needed: Be prepared to tweak your routine as necessary. “Leaders have to adjust on the fly, and so do households,” he advised.
Patrick’s insights provide a valuable framework for reinventing your morning routine. By being intentional, pre-deciding tasks, and personalizing your approach, you can set a positive tone for the day and improve your overall well-being. As Patrick said, “If we’re proactive, that usually results in positivity.”
