This morning I posted a photograph on Instagram of the sun rising with a fun coffee cup in the foreground … and a few words about ‘setting’ intentions for the day.

This is something that I need to do for myself very regularly as I find it all too easy to slip into the habit of hopeless chatter that ruminates on past regrets and wishing that I had done some things differently. This just ‘sinks’ me and is just rather exhausting and debilitating.

What I really want to be is energised and optimistic about my day ahead, curious about potential possibilities. And this is why I need to be intentional about my thinking.

A great trick that I have learnt is to ‘feel the feeling’ that I want to have at the end of the day (or after a project that I want to get done). And then do what needs to be done inorder to achieve that feeling!

So, for instance, today it would have been far easier for me to make excuses to just let the day slip past in a rather haphazard way but I have things that are important to do. Thus, during my walk I reminded my self of those feelings that I get when I have focused well and completed tasks. Those feelings are ones of satisfaction, joy, relief and accomplishment. They are good feelings.

I have rehearsed those feelings, felt the energy and satisfaction from them, making them familiar, and this in turn has generated the energy and motivation for me to get on and do the work! I am excited!

Do try it. It is a great ‘mind hack’.