Monday Morning Coach Archives - Golden Hour

The Golden Hour

How are you using your “golden hour”—that first 60 minutes upon arising that philosophers and now modern brain researchers tell us is truly precious; the hour that Henry Ward Beecher first called “the golden hour?” 

Studies of brain wave activity note that the first 30-60 minutes you’re awake are among the most fertile times of the day.  That means we have to be mighty selective about what we’re planting because our brains will produce “fruit” from the seeds we plant—whether those be positive or negative seeds.  It’s no secret that most spiritual traditions encourage morning prayer or meditation.  And self-improvement experts for decades have been encouraging people, at the very least, to plant positive affirmations or set positive intentions for the day during those golden moments.  

Your brain is actually operating on a different “wave length” during those first waking minutes.  This is the time to connect with your goals, visualize, put plans in place, read uplifting, inspirational material, meditate and plant affirmations more deeply into your subconscious.  This is also the time of day to steer clear of the doom and gloom reports, the daily dose of disaster and disappointment doled out by the media.  It’s the difference between starting your day with positive, high-octane fuel or poison.  Is there really a choice? 

The times in my life when I have been most creative, positive and productive have been the times when I’ve honored the golden hour.  It was a practice I started many years ago at the suggestion of my coach.  There have been times I’ve deviated from the practice, and the results have been revealing.  People are always curious how I wrote my book Living a Five Star Life.  I can say without hesitation it was a result of regular journaling done during these golden hours. 

So today I’m issuing you a 30-day challenge:  For the next 30 days, change your morning routine so it includes 30-60 minutes of positive, inspirational, intention-setting activity.  It may include planning, doing affirmations, reading uplifting literature, exercise, journaling or sitting quietly to reflect and allow a sense of peace and calm to infuse you. 

If you’re in the habit of turning on the TV or poring over the morning newspaper, it will require discipline and more importantly desire to hit the reset button.  These habits are costing you more than you think.  If the first 30-60 golden minutes set the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual tone for the day can you really afford to throw them away, mindlessly surrender them to other people’s agenda, or crowd them out by sleeping until the last minute and blasting out the door like someone with your hair on fire?

Imagine yourself a year from now, having taken full advantage of this golden hour of your day.  Imagine the powerful goals and affirmations you will have planted.  Imagine the books you’ll have read.  Imagine the book you might write!  Imagine the energy, peace and positive focus you’ll bring to your life and your world.  Imagine the possibilities! 

Will you start tomorrow?  Will the investment be worth it?  Only you can decide.  Take on the 30-day challenge and see.  You really have nothing to lose and a more positive, energetic, focused and successful life to gain.  Is there really a decision?

Use the golden hour wisely and I’ll see you back here next week!