Do you ever have one of those days where you wake up and sort of wish you could just pull the covers over your head, stay in bed, and keep sleeping all day? Except for the fact that you’ve already got plenty of sleep, and responsibilities like a day job or a mile-long to-do list immediately rush to the top of your mind, crowding out your dreamy bliss.
Even the shiniest motivational speakers and personal development leaders have days that start with a seed of self-doubt, and they have to make a decision in those early moments to either get up and face the world, or succumb to the lure of a day-long Netflix binge.
For me, there’s two ways that I ward off the occasional urge to fall into an early-morning tar pit of schlump and bolster my levels of belief. For many years of my life I let my go-with-the-flow tendencies get the better of me to the point where there was no predictability, my existence resembled the Dr. Seuss book, “My Many Colored Days.” More recently I’ve been making the most of my single status by becoming very self-aware and observant and focusing my attention relentlessly on self-improvement. So here’s some tools you can use to start your days sunny-side up.
First—it’s about shaping up an early morning routine that nurtures your well-being and cradles your fragile start-of-the-day consciousness like a baby. This is different for everyone, it’s only by trial and error and getting to know yourself that you can learn what best works for you. If you were to follow my lead, you would log the highlights of your dreams while your tea water is brewing and before your eyes are fully open, (I use Evernote and my iPad as my rapid-capture device for this). With your tea or breakfast of choice, you would rapidly jot down some intentions and words of gratitude to keep you on track with your goals, (I prefer an analog approach to this, using a pen and notebook).
After clearing the cobwebs from your cranium you might be ready to get your body in gear, (I put a favorite record on the turntable and stretch and dance around the living room a bit). You may have time for meditation or more serious exercise, (I generally run to the top of my hill and accomplish both). At this point you’re probably ready to shower, tend to your teeth, and complete whatever else you decide is most important for your morning ritual, (I have found that making my bed completes the cycle and guarantees smooth sleep hygiene at the other end of my day).
You’ll notice a few common things that are missing from this routine, that I highly recommend you leave out until you are clean, grounded, and in your body. It might seem like a luxury, but allowing intrusions that demand a reaction from you too early in the morning is the quickest way to derail your day. So NO SOCIAL MEDIA! No keeping up with the news. No listening to phone messages, or checking email if you can at all avoid it. Nothing from the outside world that has the potential to knock you off center. You may have to communicate clearly with your partner or housemates for cooperation in this regard, unnecessary chitchat can steer you off your path as well.
You can compress a grounding lift-off routine into an hour or less, or you could easily stretch it out into three or more. There’s no hard and fast rules—this is one of the best areas to start designing your life. Notice the difference in your creativity and effectiveness when your first reactions to the world are backed up by a solid foundation of self-care.
Secondly— the next trick to starting your day off on the right foot is a question. When your pillow seems like a better alternative than the world outside, ask yourself this: “Who can I be of the most service to today?” Out of all of the people you are currently working with, who and how can you make the greatest contribution? By placing your attention on the people you serve, this question it puts the focus on the value you create in the world. Your mind will shift from any discomfort or self-doubt inside you to ideas that you can put into action through your skills and talent as a leader.
Learning and teaching these types of keys to contributor culture has got me really fired up lately. Apparently I’m getting really good at coaching people and helping them achieve their goals. Every single member of my current mastermind group has gotten very clear on their direction and is making rapid progress towards their dreams by using a combination of the tech tools and techniques I teach, along with following my guidance in getting out of their own way. If this is something you could use help with in your own practice, you can apply for one of the remaining seats in my next group simply by replying to this email and setting up a time to talk to me.
Much Love, Happy Monday, and Have a Great Week!
M+
DANCE FIRST MEMBER STUDIO SPOTLIGHT :: KINETIC ARTS CENTER in OAKLAND
I love it when I get to highlight one of our members that I have a special connection with! Yesterday my daughter Geneva was part of “Circus Goes to Hollywood” the Members Performance Spring Showcase, along with about a dozen other groups of youth from different classes ranging from toddlers to upper teens. They all had an opportunity to show off their skills and talents in adorable short skits highlighting the amazing things they learn at this unique and forward-thinking institution.
The Kinetic Arts Center in West Oakland is a place you definitely should know about if you live in the Bay Area, and if you don’t have kids of your own, be sure to tell your friends about it. They offer a really cool classes for grown-ups too! Their ‘Circus Spire Youth Troupe’ is an epic performance ensemble that cultivates professional abilities and serves as a jumping-off place for many careers.
Unlike so many typical gymnastics schools, that emphasize competition and a ‘fast track to the Olympics’ vibe, Kinetic Arts centers their offerings around the themes of ‘Circus – Fitness – Inspiration’ which includes everything from tumbling and clowning for toddlers to aerial dance and serious trapeze for teens and adults.
Their core value is play and the emphasis is on the inherent joy of movement that manifests differently in everyone. And they do it all in an age-appropriate atmosphere that lets the younger folks stay in the blissful bubble of youth, while reserving subject matter that is more risqué or social-justice oriented for the older crowd.
The behind-the-scenes team of Victoria, Steven, Jaron, Michelle, and Jennifer all have a deep love for youth and a knack for holding family-friendly space. They cultivate an amazing family of coaches and community of leaders, many of whom go on to professional careers in the performing arts. Many of the classes, such as the one my daughter was enrolled in this spring, culminate with a performance. It’s amazing to see how seriously an eight-year-old will take her practice when she knows she will be in front of an audience!
Visit their website for a full listing of classes and workshops, and find out what major cultural events their faculty is currently involved in. They offer a comprehensive program of week-long summer camps that are hugely popular with school age kids. It’s also one of the most fun places you can imagine to have a birthday party for a youngster, giving them a healthy group activity where they can shine, and making it super easy for the parents.
They are currently calling for auditions for their next professional production INVERSION: A Disobedient Circus, and have just announced that they are accepting applications for the 2017 Artist in Residency Program.
Mark your calendar, they will be hosting an interactive area for your kids at the Temescal Street Fair in Oakland on Sunday June 12th!
Learn more at the Kinetic Arts Center website, and be sure to visit and Like their Page on Facebook.