“They loved your messages. This was evident by the TWO standing ovations you received.”
Educational Service Unit No. 11
Do you remember the advertising slogan “The Best Part of Wakin’ Up Is Folgers in Your Cup®?” This catchphrase went on to become one of the most recognizable pieces of advertising in American culture. Coffee aside, the best part of waking up for billions of people today has nothing to do with the 2.25 billion cups of coffee consumed every day in the world.
As soon as you turn off your morning alarm, are you one of the 3.9 billion users who sluggishly turn over and check your email? Or perhaps you are one of the 3.8 billion social media users who review your Facebook messages, Instagram feed, or you will start watching a video on YouTube to get yourself out of bed? If so, you are making a colossal productivity mistake. Every morning we make a choice: A choice to feed our mind or deplete our mind. The subconscious mind is more powerful than we know, especially in the morning. Its openness and receptivity are just like a cell phone, trying to pick up a signal.
Beginning your workday reviewing your email sets you on a reactive tone for the rest of the day. The truth behind why you feel compelled to scroll through your email, Facebook messages, or Instagram feed is that you are afraid you have missed something important. This is the very definition of being reactive instead of proactive. One of the simplest ways you can add more joy and peace to the rest of your day is by not checking email or social media first thing in the morning. Here are three reasons why you need to stop waking up to email and social media.
Your subconscious mind picks up everything – When you check social media first thing in the morning, you have no control regarding what you’re going to see.
You’re feeding your ego – To have one judgmental thought first thing in the morning is like drinking a sip of Coca Cola the second we get up. We may not feel the effects right away, but later on in the day, we might notice that we’re craving more sugary foods.
Willpower is highest in the morning, so start strong – If you start your day with social media, there is a good chance you will spend more time on it throughout the day. According to Global Social Media Research Summary (August 2020), social media users are now spending an average of 2 hours and 24 minutes per day multi-networking across an average of eight social networks and messaging apps. If you’re someone like me who likes to be productive and get the most out of your day, this can waste a lot of your precious time. The time that could be used to spend with friends or family. The time you could use making your dreams a reality.
Start your day with good morning habits. Here are seven habits to start the day right, and as you will read, none of them have anything to do with email, social media, or coffee.
Wake up early – early risers reap many benefits. Smile and think something positive – Smiling strengthens the immune system, so by smiling first thing in the morning, and remembering to do it throughout the day, you’ll be warding off disease, especially during flu season. Make your bed – By taking this small step to create outer order, you create inner calm. It’s something little and doable, which gets your day started right. Drink warm water with lemon – After brushing your teeth, drink a tall glass of lukewarm water with half a lemon or whole lemon squeezed in it. Stretch – Morning stretching will help you loosen your muscles after sleeping, increasing blood flow to your muscles. Meditate or Pray – Start your day with stillness, meditating, or praying. It will improve your focus, reduce your stress, and improve emotional stability. Eat a healthy breakfast – Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Your morning routine can make or break your day. A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset. When you wake up, take a second to think about what a privilege it is to be alive and healthy, which is the best part of waking up.
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For more information about Hall of Fame speaker and bestselling author Steve Gilliland and the Gilliland Foundation, please contact steve@stevegilliland.com / 724-540-5019 / www.stevegilliland.com.
