Early risers may be missing a trick

COMIC Micky Flanagan confessed to not getting out of bed much before 11am when he was a guest on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs recently. What sage advice. So quickly we rush into our days in a daze, feet skidding across carpet, throwing ourselves into... who knows what?

The performer said he liked to weigh up his options and consider possibilities sub-duvet, and whether on a yoga mat or park bench it’s very wise to take stock of your life and your day. Before you get out of bed do a few luxurious stretches and consider the hours ahead.

What three things would you like to happen and what do you have to do to create that? Set the intention to have a good day and consciously consider the best case scenario you desire. Then rise with a hopeful heart and a glide in your stride. FEAR of failure is a great set-up for regrets in the future. We worry what people will think, whether we will lose money or about making the wrong decision and life going bad. But when we actually do something that doesn’t work out to the positive we can reframe it as a lesson: that you had a go and bravely took a risk.

This is infinitely preferable and more courageous than staying the same and being stuck for ever more with “if only’s” never actioned.

THE VIRTUE IS ALL IN THE DETAIL

MY Unsung Virtue this week is thoughtfulness. It’s a cousin of kindness, but thoughtfulness means bothering to remember details about someone’s life, to listen and take steps to help or create happiness. It’s to remember to enquire about pending medical results, to send a card to mark an occasion, to check in when you remember someone is going through a tough time or to take time to really listen or get to know a new friend or colleague.

Being bothered to be of service to others or to invest time to show support makes thoughtfulness an everyday act of love. WWW.REALCOACHINGCO.COM