How I finish my day in a large way decides how I will start my next day. For example, I’ve learned that I need to head to bed one hour before the time I want to be asleep. Since I need to average seven hours sleep a night it is pretty easy to work backwards to when I need to start the process of winding down for the day.
That hour is not a straight-line process. It includes time to connect with Karalee, do a few dishes, seek out our youngest son Allen and see how his day has gone, and maybe put a couple of the last dishes in the dishwasher. I then head to my office where I get grounded on my meditation cushion, open my journal, reflect on my day, and write down at least five things I have gratitude for in the day. Being intentional about acknowledging gratitude is just one of the suggestions of Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage. See five more of Achor’s suggestions in this CBC piece Shawn Achor’s 6 exercises for happiness.
I used to be a regular viewer of CBC’s national news program every night. I have learned that the tone and content of news detracts from my day. I limit the amount of news I read or watch and have completely eliminated watching the news before bedtime. If I do watch TV in the evening (which I limit to a very small amount), I do it with Karalee and make sure it is something to slow me down, not amp me up.
How you finish your business day also determines how your next day will go. Many entrepreneurs review their to do lists at the end of the day, revising them for the next day. For me, I make sure that there is a clear demarcation from my business day to the rest of my life, keeping away from email once I make the transition. I put activities into my life that naturally transition me out of the business day.
Many entrepreneurs tell me that they don’t get enough sleep. When I dig into the issue with them, I help them discover that their primary challenge is actually getting to bed early enough. If you want to be at your very best each and every day, find a way to finish your day well so that you will be setup perfectly for your next day.
