Waking up bright and early on a Monday morning with a mind full of resolution and good intention is how I want to start the week.
Sound like a plan?
Oftentimes the obvious is not nearly as easy as it sounds.
Yes, we all want to wake up and be creative, productive and energised but it is very easy to become side-tracked or lose focus. One small problem, a set back or an unexpected emotional conflict can put pay to the best intentions and shatter our resolutions. Our determination and our self-made promises evaporate as old habits kick in to cope.
Self-correcting mechanisms are what we need to make sure that we start and end our week in the way that we plan. Small actions, simple process that enables us to ensure our well being and our happiness while at the same time deflecting any curve balls that come our way.
Start The Week Right
Time for Yourself.
Take time to think, to plan, to read, to listen to music or be with friends. Taking time to look after you is the ultimate way to make time for others. Burning out of control because we never stop is the worse kind of time-management and has disastrous long-term consequences.
Exercise
Exercise is the key to a great week. Feeling energised makes us happier and more productive. An hour out of the day, whether it be yoga, the gym, Pilates or a walk around the block can make the hardest day that much better.
Smile and Laugh
Find something to smile about; there always is even in the darkest moments. Smiling not only makes us feel better but also those around us.
First things First
Do one thing at a time. The easiest way to accomplish nothing is to overcomplicate. When life or work becomes “messy” it is so easy to let everything slide into one neglected pile. Step by step is the way to progress.
Stay True
Stay true to who you want to be. Sitting on the fence or agreeing with others for the sake of comfort never wins out in the end. Being unique and embracing our individuality is what makes us happy. Confidence and learning to be self-confident is the way to stay true. Believe in yourself for if we don’t how can we expect others to.
Search for Balance
Do not be defeated by failure. Winning and loosing go hand in hand. Sometimes the greatest failure is the start of something wonderful. Life is about balance; it is never one or the other. It pays to remember that. When something doesn’t go according to plan then it’s time to kick-start an alternative. Mourn the loss but don’t be defeated and move on in a positive direction.
Be Grateful
Yes, it is obvious we should be grateful and we should say thank you. We all forget. this makes all the difference. Saying thank you and recognising our good fortune makes us that much more engaged in our lives and the lives of others.
Forgive
Forgiveness is the hardest one to crack. Who likes to forgive? It is a tough call but without forgiveness we are sunk. Being forgiven is one thing but forgiving, that is a state of grace and one to aspire to.
Let’s start the week right xv
images nina leen, life magazine 1940
