From Robin Sharma's blog - IV

Start Strong

Listening to the audiobook called "50/50" by Dean Karnazes - a man who ran fifty miles a day for fifty days straight. Remarkable feat of human endurance. I want to learn how he did it. So I can share his secrets with you.

One of the lessons I've learned from him so far is this one: you can't control how the race will unfold - but you can control how you start it. Great point. Applying it to what we're all about as we achieve great things/leadership in business and in life/personal development, here's my spin: Start Strong...which means start your day doing all the things that will set you up to win the "race" that unfolds over the 23 hours that follow.

If you've read The Greatness Guide and The Greatness Guide Book 2, you know I fiercely believe in the importance of having a Holy Hour each morning - a sixty minute space where you regenerate and renew so that the way you show up through the rest of the day is first-class.

- Morning Reading. Reading inspirational books makes a difference. Whether it's "50/50" or "It's Not About The Bike" by Lance Armstrong or something motivational like anything by Og Mandino, putting excellent mental fuel into your mind at the front end of your day fuels superb results. This practice just helps you remember what's most important in a world that is flooded with tech/things to distract you.

- Journal writing. Write about what your hopes and dreams are. Recreate the story you want your life to be. Do a gratitude list to get you off to a great start. Writing in a journal helps you to live with greater clarity and more deliberately.

- Exercising in the morning is a brilliant move. Boosts creativity/stamina and joy.

- Use affirmations to lock your focus into who you want to become and what activities are most important

- Be grateful. Quickly review the good things in your life. I recently listened to an audio program where Dr. John Demartini was interviewed. He said he never begins his day without thinking about the blessings in his life to the point where tears fill his eyes. Then - and only then - does he feel set to walk out into the world and play at his best. Love it.