Restarting the day!

There are days that don't start that well.

Sometimes we get rushed into the day because we may have gotten up late or our morning rituals (of exercise or reading or a quiet cup of team or whatever else) may have been skipped. Sometimes we have the burden of pending to-dos from the previous day carrying forward. Occasionally, it can also be a frictional conversation that robs us of our peace of mind at the start of the day.

The bad start often means the day keeps going downhill, and sometimes there is butterfly effect into the entire week. It needs the weekend to break the downward spiral, when we get to unwind and realign ourselves mentally.

Over the last few months, I have realized that there is one thing that has helped in stopping the juggernaut of negativity before it crashes may day or the week ahead. It's drawing an artificial line in the day, and telling myself the next part of my day starts now. I cannot control how the day started, but I can control how it ends. This translates into doing something that helps me get my mental balance right - at times it's a walk, or listening to music or reading or writing something. I give myself the permission to change my schedule for 30-45 mns so that can I get into the mental frame of controlling the trajectory of the remainder of my day. I am still learning and experimenting with this, but it works more often that not.

Next time you feel your day is starting to go south, try giving yourself the permission to alter your schedule and restart you day the way it energizes you. It may sound difficult to change your schedule, but 30 mns of realignment can save you hours or days of productivity and balance ahead.