The way you start your day has a drastic effect on how the rest of it will unfold. Getting into routine of taking quality time for yourself–a power hour–could be a key to not only a successful day, but a successful life.

Inspired by Fast Company’s “What Successful People Do With the First Hour of Their Day” here are tips for a successful day and thus, successful life.

1. Your email isn’t going anywhere, don’t check it first thing.

This might seem like career suicide to some, or waking up without your left arm attached, but get in the habit of avoiding reading your email first thing.  Looking at emails first thing will make your head spin with things you have to do, people who didn’t yet get back to you or that what’s happening in the middle-east. Yes, these are all important things, but with the busy lives we live, taking that time to ourself to clear our head is vital. Plus, don’t worry all those emails, they’ll still be there when power hour is over.

2. Are you doing what you want to be doing?

Yes, I know–this could sound a little overwhelming and perhaps broad, but really, are you? Ask yourself if what you are going to do is exactly what you want to do today. Will it make you happy? Fulfilled? Life is short and the time is now. Power hour is a great time to evaluate progress toward the goals that matter.

3. Get your blood pumping.

Take a walk, run, stretch, kickbox–even if it’s only for seven minutes, get your body moving!

4. Do the big stuff first.

The first hour of the day can be the best for power hour. Use it to take time for yourself to reflect and prepare for the day ahead or use the time to tackle your daily demons. Do that one thing you don’t want to do. Or that one thing that scares you. By doing this first you’ll clear it out of the way, make room for everything else and feel extremely accomplished throughout the entire day.

5. Gratitude and gratefulness.

What are you grateful for? Say a little Grace for all the wonderful things in your life that are so often over looked. Take time during power hour to visualize what you are grateful.  This gratitude will fill you with a sense of abundance, but will also allow you to see clearly what else you want to manifest into your life.

See Also:

Brain Games: 3 Easy Exercises for a Happy, Healthy Brain

31 Motivational Quotes on Success

image: Mc Cafe And Store

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Try these three simple brain games for just twenty-one days and you’ll feel like you can tackle anything.

Like a junk draw of things you’ll probably never need, the internet is overflowing with advice on how to be happier. What’s real and what’s a scam? Everyday it seems there are hokey new brain games designed to increase your mental capacity, or improve your mood, but every so often you can uncover a gem like “Twelve Habits of Healthy Happy People” or “This Is Water” by David Foster Wallace.

Happiness is a feeling and like all feelings, we can’t force it, but we can set ourselves up for success through healthy habits.

More and more studies are proving that increasing our happiness is closely tied to our brain chemistry (even our guts). And like our tongues or biceps, our brain is a muscle, and the way we exercise it is key to it’s optimal function.

In my search of ‘happiness tips’ I’ve found the brain games below to be the best, only requiring a little reflection time, paper and a pen. So here goes: Get in the habit of writing these three simple thoughts for twenty one days and it will really rewire your brain and create the foundation for a happy life.

1. Gratitude

Write down three things each day you are grateful for. It must be different every day.  It could be simple or complicated, like “I am grateful for my family” or “I am grateful for the delicious and nourishing qualities of fresh kale.” Just make sure it’s three different examples each day.

2. Random Act of Kindness

Write down a random act of kindness you witnessed or performed yourself. For example, send an email to someone close to you with whom you haven’t spoken in a while, make a donation to a worthy cause, or rake your neighbors lawn without telling them.

3.  One Positive Experience

Journal about one positive experience that happened to you within the last 24 hours.  For example, someone found my wallet on the L train and tweeted me to track me down and return it (true story!).

Remember: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything.  The happiest people make the best of everything.”

Do you have any favorite brain games that help you look on the sunny side of life? Share them in a comment!

Related on Ecosalon:

10 Best Cities In America For Health And Happiness

Top 20 Best Foods For Your Brain

Image: Mr. Skinner

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