8 WAYS TO ENERGIZE EACH MORNING

Workdays are more productive when you hit the ground running. 

Here's how to make certain you've got the energy to start your day right, and keep it moving forward.

1. Inspire your body.

When you're sleeping, your muscles become sore so that waking leaves you groggy. Rather than shuffle through your morning, stand right up, shake yourself out, and take three long, deep breaths. Remember, the root word of "inspire" is Latin for "to breathe."

2. Inspire your mind.

 Have a list of your life goals ready on your bed-table. After you've inspired your body, read your goals aloud, not in a drone but with real feeling. Imagine as vividly as you can how you'll feel when you achieve each goal.

 3. Ignore emails and messages.

 If you're like most people, you'll be tempted to check your phone to see what's happened while you were sleeping. Bad move. Unless you've got something that's "hanging fire," postpone the electronic paperwork until after you're at the office.

4. Drink GOOD coffee.

 If you're going to drink coffee--and you know you are--why waste the experience on the bland liquid served at the kiosks or the rot-gut sitting in the office carafe?  Buy fresh-roasted beans, grind it yourself, and make the good stuff.  You'll never regret it.

5. Fuel your body.

 Breakfast defines your physical condition for the day. Fruit, vegetables and lean protein will sustain you for hours.  By contrast, refined sugar creates a false high then a corresponding low, while greasy meat is difficult to digest.  Avoid them.

6. Fuel your mind.

 During your commute, listen to motivational audio or inspirational music rather than the news or (worst of all) talk radio.  Make a point to emerge from your car after your commute with even more enthusiasm that when you entered it.

7. Be cheerful not annoying.

As you enter the office, you'll notice most folk are dragging their feet. If you try to spread your enthusiasm, you'll just irritate the unenlightened.  Be upbeat and friendly, but don't try to change their attitude. That's not your job.

8. Do something important first.

When you sit down at your desk, don't jump into the trivia of your job.  Instead, decide what's the most important thing you can do today based upon your life goals. Then do it. This creates momentum that keeps you energized all day.

From Entrepreneur Week