A day is never too far gone to turn around.
Ever have one of those days—the kind when you snooze through your alarm, miss your morning workout, drink your coffee lukewarm, forget about an appointment, and it seems like with every passing turn you just can’t catch a break? We all have. Here are six things to do to turn a day like that around.
Press Pause
When you feel behind, pausing may seem counterintuitive, but a day like this calls for a reset. Take at least 15 minutes to sip an enjoyable beverage, to sit down (perhaps outside in the sunshine), to stay away from screens and the demands of the day, and to simply be still, enjoying the moment. Notice the weather, your surroundings, your body, your breath, and the present moment.Turn to Gratitude
Before you move on with your day, think about—or, even better, write down—at least 10 things you’re truly grateful for. Perhaps you think of your family and friends, your home, the lovely sounds of birds in the distance, the fact that the annoyances of the day have been merely that, the abundance of food in your pantry at home, the bed you’ll sleep in tonight, the air in your lungs, or your closeness to God. Shifting your focus away from all that has gone wrong to all that you have to be grateful for provides a quick and much-needed change in perspective.Identify the Bare Minimum
With your renewed mindset, take out a paper and pen (or your phone if you prefer digital notes) and jot down the bare minimum tasks you need to complete to bring the day to a successful close. This is not the time to include things that would be nice or that you had hoped to get to today. Record only the things that can and must be completed today.Burst of Action
Perhaps accompanied by your favorite music or a podcast, get to work checking off those boxes. Focus like a laser on getting your must-do’s for the day done. Forego perfection, tidy as you go, and provide yourself a sense of accomplishment before the day is done.Prep Tomorrow
As the day winds down, enjoy a nutritious dinner, put away your screens, and prepare what you can for tomorrow to ensure that you begin the new day feeling ready and ahead. You might lay out your clothes, set up what you plan to work on, pack a lunch, set your coffee maker, and set your alarm clock.Your Favorite Part
Before you hit the pillow, take out your journal and write down your favorite part of the day. Sure, this day didn’t start out the way you wanted. Not many days go totally according to plan. Choose a moment that was your favorite and write it down. Doing this every night before bed offers you another opportunity to appreciate the beauty in your life and will result in a running collection of favorite parts of life.
