The way you begin your day sets the tone for the next 24 hours or longer.  Whether you find solutions or attract problems, and the situations you encounter are all impacted by your initial direction.

Although your day begins upon awakening, your brain is actually primed before you go to sleep.  Your mindset from the night before affects your quality of sleep as well as your attitude when you wake.

When you start out on the wrong foot, very often things will go wrong throughout the day.  Conversely, everything seems to click on those days you start out feeling great.  Which way your day goes is within your control, not a matter of chance.

Here are some suggestions for starting your day in a positive direction.  Prepare for your next day before going to sleep.  Make a mental list of all the things you are thankful for.  Focus for a few moments on each item.  Think about how fortunate you are.  Don't devote attention to anything you feel is lacking.

Next, imagine tomorrow being a great day where everything you need falls into place.  You will be happy, healthy, and in great spirits.  Think about how you will project positive energy and attract positive situations and people.

Now you are ready to harness the power of your subconscious mind as you sleep.  Choose one of the more pressing obstacles you need to overcome.  Don't dwell on the problem.  Rather, instruct you mind to find a solution.  There is always a solution.  So you can issue this directive with confidence.

Keep a pad and pencil next to your bed.  Ideas will often pop into your mind just as you are falling asleep.  Solutions can appear in dreams.  You may think of what you need to do right before getting up.  When you have these revelations, pay attention to them and write them down.  Don't trust your memory.  The inspiration you get at these times is particularly fleeting.

Don't watch, listen to, or read the news before going to sleep.  Your brain concentrates on whatever you fill it with before nodding off.  By exposing your thoughts to negative input, you negate any positive programming for the night ahead.

When you wake, but before getting out of bed, go through your mental checklist of all you have to be grateful for.  Then again project how great your day will be.  You want to repeat the same mental process you used the night before.

As you get out of bed smile.  Greet everyone in your household with a warm good morning and a big grin.  When you look in the mirror, smile.  Be happy, you have another great day ahead of you.  If you don't think each day is wonderful, try skipping one.

At times, you will be grumpy in the morning.  Shake it off with your attitude of gratitude.  It's when you don't feel like it that you really need to smile.  Act cheerful and you will feel cheerful.  When you don't like the way you feel, behave as you would when you feel good.

If you have an off morning, don't get bummed out.  Pull yourself up.  Your thoughts determine your attitude and you control your thoughts.  The more you practice the above strategies, the more you will have great mornings. 

The beginning of your day is the foundation for the next 24 hours.  Apply the suggestions in this column and you will experience a measurable improvement in how you feel and what you accomplish.  Be persistent in your efforts.  Make every day the great day that it is.

NOW AVAILABLE:  "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book.  Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or write him c/o this paper.  2008 Bryan Golden

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