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Bookend your day with purpose!
Ask yourself these 5 questions each day and notice the shift in everything from patience to productivity to your sense of peace.
I recently bumped into a coaching client I worked with several years ago. After some initial catching up, he said something that made me chuckle: "You're still like a voice in my head who says, 'What matters most here? What action will you take next? What's a win you can share with me today?' Even though we're not coaching together anymore, I still feel like you're cheering for me and keeping me on track."
I have felt the same way about my coaches over the years. With "lack of recognition" repeatedly appearing as a top reason people leave their jobs, don't you feel we could all use a personal coach/cheerleader/guide?!
Even with that person in our lives, however, we're not with them 24/7 - there are times when we have to fill those roles ourselves. One excellent way to do that involves starting your morning with a few purposeful questions.
I've written before about my morning practice . I also like to review my Purpose Statement each morning to remind me who I am, how I want to be, and why I'm doing what I'm about to do that day. (If you're coming to Spark , you'll leave with your Purpose Statement as well!) In addition, here are a few questions to ask that will help you stay on course:
1. How do I want to be in the world today?
Consider choosing a word or phrase that captures your intention.
2. What am I grateful for today?
Research shows extensive benefits to practicing gratitude. Start your day with it!
3. How can I make a difference today?
What opportunities do you have to positively impact others? Who needs you today? (Hint: The answer may be you.)
4. What are my top 3 priorities today?
If the rest of the day goes haywire, what 3 things do you want to make sure you do?
5. How can I live out my purpose today?
You can both decide this with intention and be open to possibility.
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Whether you reflect on these in your journal or quickly ponder them before getting out of bed, you'll start your day in a meaningful way and increase your likelihood for living and working with intention - a much better alternative to the autopilot / treadmill way of life to which many of us have grown accustomed.
And here's a bonus: Before you go to bed at night, ask the same five questions in reflection, too. How were you in the world today? What occurred today for which you are grateful? How did you make a difference? What three things did you accomplish? How did you live out your purpose?
This is what I call bookending your day with purpose, and it works wonders - in everything from your patience to productivity to sense of peace. Give it a try for a week or two and take note of changes you experience. Let me know if it works wonders for you, too!