5 Minute Way to Start to My Day

I have never written down resolutions. I often have positive intentions for change floating around my brain but I don’t generally want to commit to them because…

pressure!

And who needs more pressure !! It also seemed to have a year long commitment attached to it and that just seems too ….  long.

Some of those floating ideas are really expectations I imagine that others have of me.  If I told my husband what I imagined he expected, he would calmly and wisely reply “I reject that.” Because he knows much of it is not based in reality. This may sound dismissive but it has saved us from many arguments that are not based on anything true.

I realize that writing things down (or typing them out) helps me to clarify what is really going on. If I had to list some general resolutions (less commitment) I would say I want to be more intentional, more present, more grateful and leave space in my calendar to follow where God leads daily in my relationships. And leaving space on my calendar is so much better than the packed calendar I have strived for in the past. I have always loved a calendar. I have had weekly calendars and monthly sheets I created myself and hung by my computer. Now I have an app. But honestly, it only has appointments.

Many, many years ago (like over 20) my co-worker, Abdul, and I took a Franklin Covey management training class in San Francisco. I loved all the tools and books they handed out. It was full of organizational hope. A new beginning in an awesome planner (that we got for free! … well free to me, I’m sure our company paid for it). But honestly what I remember from this class is that Abdul didn’t go to lunch with me. It was Ramadan and he fasted from dawn until sundown!  For . A.  Month!  This was a completely new idea to me. I was fascinated and impressed with his dedication. Now that’s a resolution with commitment!!

Fasting isn’t one of the thoughts floating around in my brain (although I do have some fitness wishes) but routine is floating. And thinking back to my planner, I think I could benefit from writing down some goals. And if they were flexible daily goals … it might just work.  Sooo…. here is where I am going with this …..

Today, I listened to a Facebook live video by Nicole Unice. She is the author of the book I read with my Moms group in the fall and I had the privilege of meeting her in December. She was talking about resolutions and an idea she got from “Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers” by Timothy Ferriss & Arnold Schwarzenegger. It immediately resonated with me. I took notes and created a worksheet. This is going to be my resolution … to complete this worksheet each  morning. (Not in my first 5 minutes… I tried something like that last year … but my first 5 are pretty sleepy. I need eye drops, coffee, my people out the door and then my readers on).

Here is the idea:

3 for 3  in 5 minutes    ——->     3 categories with 3 bullets each

1. Today I am grateful for:

2. 3 things I want to accomplish today:

3. Who I am praying for today:

Yes…. this is all me!! gratitude, purpose and prayer!!!

Woo Hoo! I am so excited to start this tomorrow! Want to join me? I’d love to share this and be accountable!  email me if you want me to send you the word doc.

 

 

Update: This idea has quite a few followers. I have created a Facebook closed group for encouragement and accountability. We’d love to have you if you are interested. You can search for “5 Minute Way to Start My Day” and request to be added. A copy of the worksheet can be downloaded from the group.

Link to Facebook group