How 15 Minutes a Day Can Change Your Life

How 15 Minutes a Day Can Change Your LifeHow 15 Minutes a Day Can Change Your LifeA few weeks ago, I was feeling overwhelmed, disengaged, and exhausted. Every half-hour block of every day was accounted for, but I didnt feel like I was really getting anywhere. Instead, I found myself leaping out of bed at the first annoying ding of the alarm to speed-shower, dress, and get myself out the door so I could plow through another day- and hopefully get closer to finding some quiet and calm.I confided in a few of my Mentor Masterclass coaches, who all suggested the saatkorn thing Create a morning ritual, and give yourself a few minutes in the morning to collect your thoughts, breathe, and prioritize your day. Each time I heard the suggestion, I loved it in theory. But since I felt like I barely had enough time to wash the shampoo out of my hair, I didnt know how I was going to make early morning sun salutations happen.So, I didnt do anything- until I got so desperate that I decided it was wo rth a shot. One morning I set my alarm for 10 minutes earlier than I usually do. Then, instead of sprinting out of bed when it went off, I grabbed my notebook from my side table and wrote whatever came into my fuzzy morning brain. I took 10 long, deep breaths. I wrote down my three big priorities for the day. Then I got out of bed. Ive been doing it every day since, and its changed everything. If youre feeling overwhelmed, having trouble focusing, or just looking for a few moments of quiet time, a morning ritual is a great place to departure. Heres what you need to know to create one.You Dont Need a Lot of TimeIn fact, I wouldnt suggest carving out more than 15 minutes for your morning ritual- at least in the beginning- so that you dont overwhelm yourself with yet another thing to do. But, I suggest you set your alarm for earlier than usual, instead of trying to cram those 15 minutes into your already-packed morning schedule. Itll give you a better chance of actually doing it.Do it First ThingThe point of a morning ritual is to anchor in some peace and calm before the chaos sets in. If you let the chaos get to you first (by, say, reading your emails), youll dilute the experience. When you prioritize your sanity, youll realize that everything else can, in fact, wait a few minutes. Keep it SimpleIf youre not sure what to actually do as your morning ritual, hone in on something that will help you get grounded- and dont overthink it. For example, take a few deep breaths, make your favorite green smoothie or oatmeal, write down your 1 goal, or read your favorite blog. It doesnt have to be complicated- it just has to work.Dont Do More Than 12 ThingsYou want to give yourself enough space to enjoy and be fully present in each activity. After a few weeks, if you find that you have an extra few minutes and want to add in another element, go for it.Since starting my morning ritual, my days are more productive. I dont start the day feeling like I have a big ball of who-kn ows-what to get through- I know exactly what needs to be done and in what order. Ive been taking better care of myself, because those extra 10 minutes help me figure out how Im actually feeling and how I can adjust accordingly. Am I cranky? Ill bring a good book on the train. Am I dehydrated? Ill remember to drink more water throughout the day. Most importantly, taking control of my morning- honest to goodness- helped me feel like I was taking back control of my life, which helped me enjoy it more.And, well, thats the whole point.Need a little personalized guidance on creating a morning ritual? Check out my (super awesome) coach, Casey Erin Wood, and her upcoming teleclass on how to do just thatPhoto of coffees courtesy of Shutterstock.