7 Ways Successful People Start Each Day

When you start your day with a can-do attitude you will have a more productive day and the energy to keep moving forward. 

The ideas I am sharing with you today are simple ways to start your day, and will help you achieve the can-do attitude you need to succeed. These ideas are very basic, but if you add them to your morning routine you will see a positive effect in how you feel and the work you do.

Move your body
When you get out of bed stretch your entire body, to get the blood flowing and take slow deep breaths to clear your mind. If you have the time add in a few exercises to loosen up your muscles and joints.

Inspire your mind
Before starting your workday is a great time to review your goals. Having them fresh in your mind when you start your day can inspire your best work as you go through your day.

Ignore email and messages
I know this is a hard one, but by if you wait till you are ready to start your workday to check your messages it will leave your mind free to reflect on your goals and thing you want to accomplish.

Fuel Your body
Breakfast defines how you feel for the day, so choose what you decide to eat wisely. Fruit, veggies, and lean protein will sustain you for hours. This is not a meal to be skipped, you do your best work when you have the fuel you need.

Feed your mind
While you are dressing, eating breakfast, or if you have a commute, these are good times to listen to motivational audio and inspirational music. Listening to the news or talk radio will only add stress to your day.

Be Cheerful
When you are upbeat and enthusiastic and share those positive feeling, it will inspire everyone around you to do the same. 

Do an important project first
Start your workday by deciding what is your most important project and do that first. By doing this you create momentum that will keep you energized all day.

I have incorporated all these ideas into my morning, and I found that it was not as difficult as I thought it might be. The hardest part for myself was not looking at email and messages, but it has been a few weeks now and I'm now fine with waiting till I'm ready to work.

Try to incorporate some or all of these ideas into your morning and see how you feel about your work and your goals over the next few weeks. 

Which of the 7 ideas do you think would be challenging for your morning?

Motivation Monday

Forget Your Troubles

Forget problems

that don't matter anymore

and worries that will wash away

on the shore of tomorrow.

Determine your own worth 

by yourself,

and do not be dependent

on another's judgment of you.

Live life fully 

with thankfulness and joy

for all the gifts 

you've been given

-Debbie Oehman

Sit in the Sun

I hope it is warming up, and things are starting to bloom in your part of the world!

It has finally started to warm up here in Chicagoland and I am excited to be able to go out for my daily break in the sun. No matter how warm it is, I always take time to sit in the sun.

I am not talking about sunbathing, but finding a few minutes out of your busy day to enjoy the warmth of the sun on your face. 

Sitting in the sun not only feels good, it's good for you. 
It can boost your mood
Give you energy
Relieve aches and pains
Helps you think more clearly
Makes you more productive
Increase your concentration

Add a few minutes of relaxing in the sun to your day, and don't forget the sunscreen.

Do you enjoy sitting in the sun?

Are You the Problem?

When you are running your creative business you may face many challenges. Did you know many of the challenges in our business and life can be overcome by simply changing your thought process.

When a problem in your business or everyday life makes your day challenging, it's time to admit to yourself that sometimes you are the problem.

Accepting that you are the problem, and taking yourself outside of your circumstances suddenly gives you the power over the challenges you face.

I am not talking about you thinking you're a victim, but about you taking those problems and doing something about them.

Taking control!

This process is not about your feelings it's about using your creative brain to come up with solutions. It's as simple as assuming responsibility, owning the problem, and using your power to make it disappear quickly.

Next time you have a problem ask yourself these questions...

• If I were transported a year into the future, looking back, what would I advise myself to do?

• Now that you have assumed the responsibility of the problem what changes can you make?

Step away from the situation, use your head not your heart, and be honest.

Now Act!!

Do you assume the responsibility of the challenges in your creative business? 

Relaxed, Rejuvenated, and Ready to Work

It was wonderful to get away for a week. Florida was beautiful, the weather was warm, and I did a whole lot of relaxing!

I spent most of the days laying by the pool

Taking walks and enjoying the scenery 

Stopping to smell the flowers

Chased the colorful geckos

Watched the alligators 

and all the cool birds.

It was nice to have some time to rejuvenate my mind, body, and spirit, and have some family time!

We did come back to snow in Chicagoland, and it was really cold after spending a week in 80+ weather, but it was nice to be back home and in my own bed.

Now it is time to get back to work and get my business back on track. 

I hope you are having a great month, and it is warm and sunny in your hometown.

How are you enjoying your Spring?

Motivation Monday

Want to make thing happen?

Read the quote

Believe it in your heart

Practice the message

Live your dream!

Vacation Break

It has been a LONG COLD winter here in Chicagoland. Here we are at the beginning of April and it still has not been warm enough to go outside without a coat.

My husband and I decided to take a little mini vacation, and are headed to the warmer temps of Florida for a few days. 

I have been looking forward to this trip for weeks. I can't wait to wear my short sleeve shirts, sandals, and NO coat.

This means I will be taking a mini break from blogging. Watch out for new posts starting the week of  April 21.

Hopefully when I back it will be warm and things will be turning green.

Happy Spring!

Motivation Monday

Spring Update

Spring is here! Well at least that's what people are telling me. It's still cold here in Chicagoland and brown. I really can't wait for thing to start greening up and warming up!

This is the time of year people start thinking about Spring cleaning, and transitioning your home to reflect the warmer seasons. 

What about your studio/workspace? 

Do you do give your studio a Spring update? 

This is the perfect time of year to add some color to your studio, open a window (if you have one) for fresh air, rearrange, or bring in some elements to brighten things up.

Don't forget to Spring clean your online business. Click here for tips to get your shop, blog, and social media sites updated for the season.

What do you do to transition your studio/workspace for the Spring season?

Don't Fall Behind

Running a creative online business is a consistent learning experience. As an online business owner we know things change often. Such as how we reach our customers, setting up and running a website, as well as the tools available to keep things running smoothly.

There is always something new to learn. It's important to stay on top of the available information so you can effectively run your business.

Luckily there are several available learning options. You can learn via blogs, podcasts, videos, and online classes and workshops.

I am currently taking a class on Skillshare.com. It's a marketing workshop called The Modern Marketing Workshop taught by Seth Godin ($19). I am still going through the class (you do it at your own pace), I can't believe how much I have learned already. It has been worth every penny!

Taking the time to build up your skills and learn new things makes running your creative business easier. 

If you decide to take a class or workshop online here a re a few suggestions to get you started:

Make a list of what you want to learn - What is important to you and your business? 

Be clear about the outcome you desire - Do you want to be an expert? Are you just broadening your horizons? Do you want to learn better ways to run your business or expand your art knowledge?

Take into account how you like to learn - Do you prefer visuals or audio? Solo or in a community? At your own pace or scheduled?

Decide how much you want to invest - Are you looking for free or paid content?

Create a timeline - List what you want to learn, then prioritize what you want to learn now,  3 months from now, and a year from now.

Identify you best learning options - Research classes, workshops, and courses that are going to serve you best.

Work with an accountability partner - Find someone who will let you bounce ideas off of them, go over your homework, or work the class with you.

Apply what you learn - If your going to make the investment, you have to put what you learn into practice.

Don't let your business fall behind the curve. The online industry is going to keep growing and changing and keeping up with trends will only make your business more successful.

Put together a learning plan for yourself, and let what you learn now grow your business.

Have you taken any online classes?