Your waking moments set the tone for the entire day. If we spend our waking and early morning minutes wisely we can set our day up for optimal success and protect ourselves from inevitable outside stressors.

Most people wake up and despise the fact that they have to peel back the covers and get out of bed. They curse the alarm clock and dread the day. How do you think the rest of the day pans out with that attitude?

Then it’s some form of social media pursuing, the news, the TV, email, all causing reactive behavior to all the outside influences of everything happening around them. You almost have to immediately go on the defensive to protect yourself. You can’t help but be influenced by all the outside media influences.

When you start your day – your way, you become connected to who you are and what you are about, and you’ll gain even more clarity as your days of experiencing life accumulate. YOU set the tone rather than the world causing you to reactively set the tone.

Here’s your TOP 3 morning routine “tone setting” success habits:

1. Immediately upon awakening, the moment your alarm goes off, or your eyes open, program yourself to say 1 of the following 3 statements: (Choose one and JUST DO IT – everyday!)

a. I AM SUCCESSFUL

b. I AM GOOD ENOUGH

c. I AM LOVED

(Reference last week’s blog post for a more in-depth conversation on this topic.)

2. Like what you see in the mirror.

Look yourself in the mirror and repeat over and over: “I like myself, I like myself, I like myself” until you begin to believe it. No matter how long it takes. Get in the habit of looking at yourself and appreciate what you see, no matter the crazy bed head of hair or how sexy your pajamas are, do it and do it daily!

3. Pick a word for the day and strike a pose

Choose an empowering word by asking yourself, “What do I want to be today?” BOLD/ PEACEFUL/ AWESOME/ BRILLIANT/ LOVE/ STRONG. Choose one and ask yourself, “What does that word look like in a pose?” Feel the word and put it into action. Stand BOLD if your word is Bold. AWESOME may have your arms stretched overhead, PEACEFUL may have your hands at your heart. Whatever you feel is right for you. That’s your word for the day. Remind yourself to BE it throughout the day. Occasionally strike your pose throughout the day, or at least visualize it! Most importantly FEEL it within. You will finish the day less reactive and negatively influenced if you remind yourself who you truly are.

You’ve got this! Implement those 3 musts to your morning routine. It won’t add more than 5 minutes to your current morning routine, however it will add much more LIFE, HAPPINESS and ENERGY. Guaranteed!