yoga

10 Minutes to a New You

Quite the statement. 10 minutes to a new you. Sounds a bit like one of those click here now and you’ll make a million dollars by next month deals. But it’s not. In fact, this is something that is for real. It only takes a 10 minute effort daily and even better, it’s free.

The Habit Course

Last month I was inspired by Katie Tallo and an article she wrote called The Power of Baby Steps to participate in the Habit Course. I’m amazed at the results 10 minutes a day did for me.

First let me ask you how you start your day off?

Most likely a cup of coffee. Then immediately open the e-mail? Facebook? Or start running around in a crazed effort to get yourself organized and out of the house?

I can so relate. At least with the cup off coffee, e-mail and facebook part. It’s exactly what I did every day and until I decided to take on the habit of writing for 10 minutes every morning instead, I did not realize how this routine disrupted my focus, affected my energy for the entire day and filled my head with random thoughts that left me feeling far away from accomplishing anything.

Why 10 Minutes Changed My Whole Day

Doing what you say you are going to do is huge. When I first committed to this I found out what exactly I was doing with my time. I couldn’t believe the habit I had of opening up facebook. Basically a way to avoid what I needed to get done for the day.

Sometimes I think social media provides a way for us to look for direction in our day. We kid ourselves all the random thoughts and announcements are going to give us good ideas for the day. Be inspiring. Add to our motivation. Or we are actually living vicariously through these people we don’t even really know.  Or maybe it makes us feel better about ourselves by seeing what people consider to be something that should be announced to the world!

What I found was it actually confused me. My focus was lost. I could easily surf around, loose track of time and start rearranging my day because of lack of intent. Or I wouldn’t start a project because I had taken too long in the world of what everyone one else was randomly doing usually with no direction either.

When I started writing for 10 minutes first thing, right after a drinking a glass of water and making my cup of coffee, I noticed the difference in how my day started right away. As the days continued writing for 10 minutes each morning, I noticed I started getting a lot of other things done during the day. Things I would have normally put off or said in my head I’d do tomorrow.

I got clear about what I wanted to do every day, including play time. It’s turned into getting big projects done over a week’s time. It turned out that my energy and my focus was seriously effected by what I did in the first 10 minutes of my day.

I feel like I’m a new improved me all over starting the first 10 minutes of my day differently.

Choosing Your 10 Minutes to a New You

Pick something to focus on for the first 10 minutes after you get up.

Make it something that is good for you.

Yes drinking a glass of water is highly recommended but that’s a minute deal. Do that, make a cup of coffee or tea and pick something along these lines for the first 10 minutes of your day:

  • Take a 10 minute walk.
  • Do yoga.
  • Mediate.
  • Write in a personal journal.
  • Send a thank you note to someone new everyday.
  • For dog owners, take a walk with your dog.
  • Teach your dog a new trick for 10 minutes each day until you dog gets it. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your dog actually learns with just a little bit of time spent on it each day.
  • Apply that same theory to yourself!
  • Plan your meals with eating colors in mind.
  • Read an inspirational quote. Then write your own version for the day.
  • Start the novel you’ve always wanted to write.
  • Write a love note to your husband/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend.
  • Write down 7 impossible things you’d like to come true before breakfast.
  • Say out loud all the things you are grateful for.
  • Write out the picture of your perfect day.

This is your life. Live it. Start with the first 10 minutes of everyday.

If you find this exercise difficult at first don’t feel bad.  Take note of the excuses you come up with in your head.

And then do what I learned works in starting a new habit and increasing the joy in your life.

Just freakin do it anyway. Whatever that thing you picked for 10 minutes is.

You’ll find it won’t be long and it actually becomes something you just do.

What is your new 10 minute start to every day? Leave it in the comments. Feel free to contact me for support for your intention and a boost in your “just do it anyway” and really get to the new you in 10 minutes a day.

Thanks for reading.  My hope is to give you inspiration and thought provoking ideas to take your very next step in creating your own paradise from where you are now!  Please subscribe to Big Island Dog and follow me on Twitter.   Retweets are cool too.

As a 9 time Ironman finisher, change maker and author and creator of  5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs and K9 Cross Fitness Classes in Kailua Kona Hawaii I encourage you to make that change you want so badly today!


 

4 ways to Drastically Improve Your Day

What you do, think and feel first thing in the morning is a good indication of the way the rest of your day will in fact transpire.

For years I ignored this essential fact and let every morning just happen in its own way, usually leading me down a subconscious path I really didn’t want to travel, starting with a bunch of junk e-mail and the noise of Facebook!

I know it may sound simplistic but think about the way a dog gets up in the morning and their intent for the day.

 

  • First thing, a big stretch waking up their body with gentle movement.
  • Next thing. Wag. Happy for the next moment whatever it might be.
  • Run around a little bit getting warmed up for all the great things that are going to happen today. No expectations. Just looking forward to it all.
  • Eat a simple breakfast. Not too much. Hopefully a holistic variety, though dogs are usually happy about whatever comes there way.

With the bliss of a dog’s life as a model here are 4 things you can do to drastically improve your every day happiness quotient.

Practice Yoga or Simply Stretch

This is one you can easily end up with the excuse, “I’ll do it after I get the chance to go to 3 more yoga classes.”  What you do everyday counts so start with 10 minutes a morning and soon you’ll find it is a habit.

Meditate, Affirmations, Say What You Want

Self talk is a huge part of what shapes every day.  What goes on in your head is what ends up coming to fruition in a physical way throughout your day, week, month and years.  The average person has 60,000 thoughts per day and studies show that of these more than 80% are negative.

With that in mind start thinking about what you really want more of.

  • Say what you want for the day out loud.
  • Start with your 3 top things: about your life, about your passion, about your livelihood.
  • Practice imagining 6 impossible things before breakfast.

Exercise

Bleh.  A word that has come to be known with a negative connotation.  Why has this one come to be such a huge problem?

In my experience working with those who have decided to take the next step and get to where they want to be from where they are now, exercise has become fun through making it a game and using things you already have available to you.  Make it simple.  Make it easy.

If you are a dog owner this is a great time to develop an awesome relationship with your dog that follow the simple guidelines of fun and easy. Find a 5K fun run and sign up for it.  There are tons of dog friendly races out there these days as well.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Another duh…. you’ve heard this one before. I know I know. BUT again, get some fresh ideas of what to eat and it becomes easier. Buy only the foods for a healthy recipe and that will also become your default choice. It’s the only thing you have in the house.

6 Foodiecrush Recipes

Make everything simple.  We have too much stuff in our lives.  One shopping bag out of the grocery store.  That’s it.  No room for junk.

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