Set Yourself Up for Success...While You Sleep?

We've all heard about the power a good morning routine can hold, and I myself have favorite practices and rituals (ahem...coffee, duh!) that help me start my day in the best way possible. {Click here to read more about my morning routine & ways you can perfect yours!} BUT, I have found the way to truly be successful at accomplishing that morning routine and aligning your energy for the day ahead, begins the night before.

Of course the things we can DO help immensly; packing a healthy lunch, setting out your workout clothes, tidying up your space, and finishing any "to-do's" such as signing your child's permission slip or getting a payment ready to be mailed off. A few more of my obvious best evening practices include limiting caffeine or alcohol intake, turning off blue light emitting screens, sipping some herbal tea, and doing a bit of light stretching or breathwork to help you relax and unwind. All of those practices are incredibly helpful in ensuring optimal zzz's....but today I am here to talk about the things you can THINK.

Proper Praise

So often we speak to ourselves in our mind...and frequently, it's not friendly. We are our own biggest critics and can find ourselves judging, shaming, & blaming ourselves the entire day.

"I can't believe I forgot to ___."

"I am terrible at ___."

"Why did / didn't I do ____?"

"I wish I looked more like ____."

"I'll never be/do/have___."

What if, at the end of the day, you thought about (preferrably wrote it down for even greater emotional impact) what you did GREAT? Creating a list of all the things you accomplished (big or small), ways you were of service to others, and moments of joy you found throughout the day can uplift and empower your mood before turning in for the night, setting you up for a great morning.

"To Do" No More

Do you find yourself writing incessent to do lists? "Start Laundry, pay bills, check homework, schedule X appointment"( and so on)...sound familiar? Trust me when I say, there's

NO SHAME and I completely understand. A good list can help you complete time sensitive tasks and remember important things when life gets hectic. BUT, they can lead to another way of self judgement and feeling "unworthy" when something goes undone. What if you created a "To Be" list for yourself? Something like:"Tomorrow I will be____."

...More kind to myself

...Less sedentary

...A better listener

...Open to moments of joy

...Productive in my business or home

...Grateful, Excited, Relaxed, Mindful, Present...and the list goes on.

Insert whatever you need to bring into focus to elevate your day (and life).

Presence is a Present

I heard a saying long ago and it will always be at the forefront of my mind.

"Anxiety is the fear of the future and depression is the guilt of the past." It was an extremely profound realization as to how much of our lives we play out in one of those two states.

In the busy and tumultious world we live in, it can be challenging to say the least to focus on the now, but that is where true peace lies. Every moment we get is a gift and unless we treat it as such, we are unable to receive all of life's blessings. So before you fall asleep each night, spend time being truly present with yourself. This might look like doing a body scan in bed, a gratitude practice or journaling, or a short meditation. Tune into how you are feeling, mentally and physically, allowing your attention to refocus on the present. Being aware and concious of the moment you are in will bring you a greater sense of peace, and help eleviate unneccessary stress, worry, resentment, and other negative emotions that can be detrimental to your overall health and well-being.

**Note: I am not suggesting supressing emotions or that it is natural or healthy to be "positive" all the time. We are human and have a wide array of feelings and thoughts, however, learning to move through them and not live in constant fear of the future or guilt/shame of the past, will allow you to be more present, and will certainly impact your life for the better.

Day Dream. At Night.

Visualization is a powerful tool anyone can use to materialize the things you wish for. With a clear and detailed "picture" to focus on in your mind, you unlock your natural creativity and imaginiation. When we can tap into the potential of those two things, anything is possible! Whether you wish to expand your career or business, strengthen or mend relationships, heal your body and better your health, or drive a Tesla...generating thoughts and feelings around it using all of your senses has been proven to help you manifest and materialize. The more specific you make your desire, and the more emotion you can connect with it, the more powerful it becomes. For example: if your wish is to have more freedom in your daily life, maybe you envision starting an online business that allows you to work from home or create your own hours. Go one step further and visualize what your day would actually look like. Did you watch the sunrise with your coffee without rushing to get ready for work? Are you able to prepare a nourishing and tasty breakfast for yourself? Do you feel relaxed and productive? Get as many senses involved in the process as possible! I love doing this before bed and leaving a notepad on my nightstand, you will be astonished at what your subconcious brings to you when you open the door for it.

As with any routine you create, it takes consistent practice. Although none of the tools mentioned above are difficult, it will take committment to them to reap the rewards.

Taking the very best care of ourselves (mentally, physically, spiritually) deserves some time and attention so that we can live our most fully expressed lives. As the ancient chinese proverb says "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well" and I can assure you that YOU are worth it.