When I first read Laura Vanderkam's e-book What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, I was filled with inspiration. I woke up at 5:30 a.m., took a rigorous 75-minute vinyasa yoga class, showered and greeted my children for a warm and connected breakfast together. After school drop off, I sat down at my desk . . . and promptly lost an hour to e-mail. Clearly, I had the "before breakfast" part down cold, but needed some work on priorities for the rest of my day.
At least I know the direction I want to head. And that's the main thing: to be charting the course of your day, week, month and life -- rather than reacting to the forces around you. It's not an easy thing to do, so I recommend Vanderkam's e-book and the research she cites about willpower and the importance of habit.
Is there something you'd like to include in your morning routine that isn't currently being tended? Exercise is definitely my go-to in the mornings, but connecting with my kids is also high on the priority list. If we're going to be spending 60 minutes together, I'd rather be bonding than screaming at them to hurry up and get out the door.
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