For the last four months, I’ve tried to start every “work” day with a routine of prayer and intention-setting. I keep a notebook on my desk, at my right hand, and most days I spend a few minutes writing the answers to a few simple questions:
- How do I feel this morning?
- Why do I feel this way?
- What actions will either change these feelings or enhance them?
After that paragraph is complete, I write a resolution for the day, anchored by a selection of Thought, Feeling, and Action words that I’ve learned in the iPEC Coaches Training Program (www.ipeccoaching.com). Most days the resolution begins with “Today I will,” or “Today I am,” and is no more than three sentences. I then write a question that I will ask myself, or others, throughout the day, designed to drive my resolution. The question is short, simple, and starts with “Today I ask …”.
This morning, I already felt harried at 6:45am. I took five minutes to pray, and breathe, and turn to this intention. The prayer, and breathing, slowed my heart rate, and I could shift my thinking from lists to people, and thinking about those specific people created a sense of optimism and peace. I don’t want to live inside that feeling of pressure, of being driven by events, anymore, so today I am harnessing peace and optimism. I am shifting my inner energy from “have-to” to “want-to.” I feel optimistic, and peaceful, this morning because I’ve received several compliments from friends this week, was offered encouraging words about a business venture, and am looking forward to lunch with a good friend today. When I think of who said those encouraging words, who took the time to express confidence in me, and how much I will laugh over lunch, I stop worrying about running late, or feeling unprepared, or looking dumb. People not tasks — it sounds so simple, and obvious, but some mornings I can only race through a shower, gulp multiple cups of coffee, and then run head-down through a to-do list that leaves me exhausted and unfulfilled.
Instead:
- Today, I acknowledge that “energy attracts like energy,” one of iPEC’s Foundation Principles, and I commit to behaving with curiosity and optimism. I am encouraging, and willing to serve.
- Today, I am reconciled to the fact that I will make a few mistakes, and will show how little I know about a few things, like blogging. In reconciliation, and acceptance, is peace.
- Today I Ask: What Makes You Excited?
Whenever I make the time to follow this routine — whether at 7am or noon or 3pm — my day flows with better direction, less pressure, and more serenity. I enjoy conversations more, enjoy knowledge-work more, and feel grateful for my unique path. When I hit the inevitable road bump, I have other tools, mostly 12 Step, that help me inventory my attitude, adjust my behavior, and practice the right principles in all my affairs. It works if you work it, it really does.
