Win Your Day in the #First15Minutes

When the alarm goes off at 6 am, you’re off to the races!! Perhaps you hit snooze a few times too many, and now that perfectly paced morning routine has turned into a heart-pounding search for a matching shoe and car keys.

After such a chaotic start, it’s no wonder we have a vendetta against every red light and school bus on the way to the office. This attitude takes over the morning, as we become impatient in meetings, indifferent about emails, and ineffective at tackling our ever-growing to-do list. Before we know it, we have sighed and scurried through most of the day. Then we go to bed and wake up to do it all over again.

There is too much awesomeness inside of you to be satisfied with this way of life.

You weren’t designed to barely come out on top each day (if at all). You were designed to win. That’s why you have this burning desire to be great at something. However, until you can master your morning, then you certainly won’t master your day.

Here’s how you use the #First15Minutes of each day to position yourself to win.

1. Dedicate your day.

   Dedicate your day to your goals, vision, and mission. Who do you need to be to accomplish your goals? What people do you need to encounter to carry your vision? What experiences do you need to have to spark your mission? Center yourself on these thoughts. Set your intentions on developing the right mind, body, and spirit to engage your environment and bring these things to pass. Use your #First15Minutes  to dedicate your day to your purpose.

2. Pay attention.

   When we first wake up, our stress hormone (cortisol) is at the highest level. Add to that a blaring alarm clock, voices in our head calculating how many snoozes we’ve already taken, and the faint memory of things that weren’t accomplished the day before that now must be tackled today—it’s no wonder the voices in our head are arguing with each other and battling for our attention for the remainder of our waking hours. Instead, spend your morning paying attention to the inner you. Listen to that voice deep down inside of you where your beliefs, strengths, and passions lie. It’s the voice that lifts you up during a big presentation and tells you the perfect things to say. It’s the voice that encourages you during an emotional disappointment and says, “We’ll get through this.” It’s the voice that lives in your innermost self and can only be heard when you pause and pay attention. Use your #First15Minutes to turn down the noise and tune into that voice.

3. Warm-up.

   Every morning marks the beginning of a new adventure—the opportunity to explore our talents, gifts, and blessings in a new way. Just like a sprinter will jog and stretch before a race, we too should enjoy these moments of preparing for greatness. Our awesome should not be wasted on rushing through our morning routine, impatiently waiting for a cup of coffee, and cursing our work bag for not being in the last place [we think] we left it. Mornings are our opportunity to warm-up our expectations and stretch our minds. Mornings are our opportunity to set a purposeful pace for the day. Mornings are our opportunity to prepare for the greatness that lies ahead. Use your #First15Minutes to warm-up your awesome!

4. Get up and win!

   My dad used to recite this phrase every morning as he attempted to get his grumbling, mumbling daughter out of bed, “Each day is another opportunity in which to excel!” On my worst mornings—the ones where sleep was horrible at best, I knew my plate was full and spilling over, and everything on the schedule was stressful and jam-packed—I would remember those words. To wake up defeated by negative thoughts and emotions would only set me up to fail. While I may not be excited about my extensive to do list, it is exciting to know that I get another opportunity to be my best self and do my best work. In the midst of a bad day, if I am intentional about my thoughts and emotions, I can still be my best self. I can still be productive and effective. I can still have positive interactions and rewarding experiences. I can still seek out opportunities in which to win! Use your #First15Minutes to envision your wins.  

It is exciting to know that God designed this day specifically for us to get up and win! Therefore, why wouldn’t we spend our first waking moments with Him, dedicating our day to Him, tuning in to His guidance, and celebrating this great opportunity He has given us to excel!

That #First15Minutes in the morning can set you up for a day full of wins.

So, how do you use your #First15Minutes? Share your tips in the comments below.

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Winning Resources:

Get your day started with no regrets. Our 2-5 minute lessons + meditation prompts help you get your day started like a winner. Because you’re awesome, here’s a free trial: bit.ly/freetrial-noregrets. 

Eat, Drink, Do: 3 Basic Principles for Health by the Bible makes wellness practical and relatable. Learn to pursue wellness with confidence in just a few moment per day. Readers are also equipped with a free group study guide. Here’s a link to preview or purchase on Amazon: bit.ly/order-eatdrinkdo. 

Matthew 6:33, KJV– But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Habakkuk 2:2, ESV– And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.

Dr. Asha

Dr. Asha is a Creator of Healthy Conversations. She is passionate about inspiring women to be their best selves, do their best work, and live life abundantly! To learn more about Dr. Asha, go to www.doctorasha.com/bio.

Order Dr. Asha’s Bookc: Click here to order Dr. Asha’s book or other great wellness resources from our boutique!

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