Hello Delitefuls!

How do you start your day? 

How you start your day impacts the rest of your day.  Do you lay in the bed and hit the snooze button two or three times?  Do you lay there until the very last minute? Then you get up with little time to spare. Now you are in a teezy making you grouchy and in a rush. No time to eat or anything else.  Lord knows if you have kiddos!!  They move like sloths in the morning anyway.   Now that adds to your frustration.  You find yourself fussing at them, ready to leave them because they are moving slow, blaming them for making you late for work, thinking about all the things you could’ve done but didn’t because you had to get those last few minutes.  Yes…I’m guilty of all these things!!!! Father forgive me! I had to stop and reflect and it came to me, I need to have a better morning routine.

Over the last few weeks, I have started to be intentional about how I started my day.  Oh my goodness, has it made a difference.  YOU have the power to determine how your day will go.

I want to share a few things that I do or plan to do to have a positive and productive day.

1. Get up a little EARLIER– I know this can be tough please keep reading. I’m not a morning person so I know but start with 10 minutes, then 15 minutes until you get to the time that you desire.  Research shows that waking up early is very beneficial.  It adds clarity to the mind, body and soul.
2. Start your day with PRAYER- You have to give God the first fruits. That means give him his time when you wake up. Don’t check FaceBook, Instagram or Twitter.  Wake up and thank God for all your blessings and seek his guidance for the day.  I heard Pastor Joel Osteen say “Never meet with people before you meet with God”.  That was powerful.  God prepares us for what the day will bring if we commune with him.
3. Have some QUIET TIME–  get your favorite cup of coffee and find a place to just hear from God, plan your day, make a a ‘To Do” list, do a brain dump,read your devotional or favorite inspirational book.  Whatever makes you happy.
4. Speak positive AFFIRMATIONS- Power of life or death lies in the tongue. It’s important to speak positivity over your life. It encourages you to think positively about things in your life or around you.  The mind is a powerful thing and if we think it and SPEAK it, it increases the magnitude of power.  A positive attitude helps us to feel good about ourselves and when we feel good great things happen. I encourage you to write down your affirmations and speak them out loud to yourself daily. I write mine down in my planner so I see it often. Pinterest has great affirmations for all occasions if you need a few ideas. Find a few you like and tweak them to fit your life and expectations.  Eventually, you’ll be able to write your own.
5. Make your BED- Now, I haven’t always done this but it makes me feel ready.  I know people have different feelings about making their beds but I have to make my bed in the mornings.  And…it makes your room look clean!

I hope this has inspired you to re-evaluate how you start your day.  Remember, these are things I do or plan to do.  All our lives are different. Find what works for you and go for it.  Share with me what has worked for you.  I’m still adjusting my routine.  Until next time, stay deliteful!

I’m currently working on my capstone for my EdD.  What a ride this has been.  As a working wife and mother, it can be a rigorous task to write everyday.  I have learned through conversations and joining doctoral groups that you have to celebrate the small wins!  This has truly motivated me to “keep going”.  It feels good to win. Walter Hawkins says it best in his song “Don’t Wait to the Battle is Over, Shout Now!” because in the end we’re going to win. I’m grateful for each victory.

As I continue this journey I will encourage myself daily.  I have a printed framed sign on my desk as a daily reminder that “I Can & I Will”!

If you are a working mom, wife, sister that is working toward your doctorate, lets chat.  What have been your struggle and how do you encourage yourself?

Hello and welcome to my blog. I am Tanya McLean a wife, mother and a career woman. I have put a lot of thought into starting this blog and oh well here it is. My hope is to share through this blog with other working wives and mothers managing family, life and career. It can be really difficult dealing with everyday life and maintaining family. So this blog will discuss how to do it all and remain sane and beautiful.