Through America’s Healthcare Leaders, I regularly get the amazing opportunity to interview and learn from great leaders and share their wisdom with others. One of the current featured leaders is Geoff Brenner, President and CEO of TPC. One of the recently released segments from my interview with Brenner contains excellent advice that is pertinent to all individuals regardless of position.
In the interview, I asked Brenner, “To which habits do you most attribute your success?” His response has lasting implications for all who take the time to listen.
In his reply he described a morning schedule that included getting an early start to the day in order to pray, read, and think:
“For me, that’s been the most important habit because, as you get the curve balls that come early and things happen all day and there’s things you don’t expect, being grounded and having found my voice early, helps me perform better all day. There is an absolute 1 to 1 correlation.”
While the activities may look different for every individual, the practice of preparing for the day ahead is vital. Brenner went on to describe the need to “resist the temptation to get immediately drawn into the little things, and instead focus on the bigger picture.”
There are many things that can instantly bombard you personally, professionally, and organizationally. Without being grounded, failure is imminent. Actively strive to develop a morning routine.
3 Tips to Remember
- Keep it simple – Your morning routine shouldn’t be a complex schedule. Start by finding 3-5 things that help you start your morning well and focus on these only.
- Keep it pertinent to you – There are a million things you could choose from to help start your day off right, but only you know what will work for you. If prayer is important, plan to pray. If you have to get in that morning shower, then do so. Whatever it is, find the right fit for you.
- Keep it consistent – Whatever you choose to do to start your morning ahead of the game, do it consistently. Avoid skipping days when at all possible.
Implement a morning routine today and see if it makes a difference in how your days go. If you already have a morning routine, leave a comment below and let me know what works best for you.
Each morning I wake up before the family.
I warm the house and pour a cup of coffee, always set the night before.
I get dressed and ready for the day so when the kids and husband awake I focus on breakfast and their day and needs.
I walk the kids to the bus, then spend a wonderful half hour in the barn tending to the horses and chickens on our farm.
It is my quiet time…my time to chat with them and get my head ready for my other job and focused.
I wash up and change, slid into my desk about 8am and am ready to focus on the priority list set aside the night before….the list of ever demanding tasks that need my attention that day.
Sounds like a great routine Coleen—thanks for sharing!