Every morning, I read a few pages from a book. The book is usually about habits, behaviors, and thought patterns. I’ve been reading these kinds of books for years. For the most part, they share similar information, with new perspectives like people’s experiences, a new way to phrase something, or sometimes even new ideas for how to relate to myself, respond to life, be productive, and stay genuine.
If the material is pretty repetitive, why do I keep reading self-help books? Don’t I have all the info already?
First of all, no. I don’t know that I’ll ever have all the information about anything. Second, reading is one of the first things I do after waking up. This material starts my day with purpose, hope, and guidance. And third, it’s a reminder. Our brains are malleable. Our minds adopt the information that we give them. In other words, our thoughts can be shaped. If I don’t control my own mind’s environment, I’ll be way more susceptible to the outer world’s manipulation.
Waking up and reading self-help and habit-forming techniques, stories, and mindfulness processes starts my day with motivation and energy. Life can be a really intense rollercoaster sometimes. Reading in the morning grounds me—like putting on the seatbelt before the ride starts.
ACTION: As part of your morning routine, include a small mindful practice. Whether it’s reading a few pages from a self-help book, meditating, or journaling, start your day with intention and clarity. Experiment with this for a week and notice how it shifts your mindset throughout the day.
