Bookend your days with questions to bring positive change

Each day we have many experiences and opportunities of all kinds in its 24-hour span. Wouldn’t you agree that how you start and end your day has a significant impact on everything in between?

Let’s begin with your mindset upon awakening. Do you usually tend to have an “oh, no, another day ahead” way of thinking? Your initial perception is foundational to the rest of the time following. If you look at the unfolding time as cumbersome, you are likely making things more difficult than necessary.

What is your state of mind at bedtime? Are you looking ahead to the next day with a sense of dread or even resentment? Do you find yourself in a trance looking at social media or entertainment until you fall asleep? We’ve found, in our experience, that most people have some type of challenge at either end of the day.

If you look at how you want your days to improve, we suggest bookending your days with some small tweaks.

In the morning, contemplate the following questions:

■ What am I grateful for today?

■ How would I like my day to flow? ■ What is one way I will take good care of myself today? ■ How can I be of service to someone? The answers can cause an upward trajectory for you. Answering these questions can be accomplished in less than a minute.

Right before bedtime, consider the following questions:

■ What do I appreciate from today? ■ What was something humorous I experienced?

■ What is something encouraging I observed?

■ How would I like my sleep and dreams to be?

By bookending your days with these questions, you’ll notice positive changes in your life. You’ll feel happier, calmer and more empowered.