It is essential to put yourself at the top of your own priority list.

Let me say that again.

It is ESSENTIAL to put yourself at the TOP of your list.

Sound selfish to you? What if being selfish (putting yourself, your needs, your mental, physical and emotional well being first above all else) is precisely what it takes for you to be of any use to anyone or anything in your life?!?

I am at the top of my own list and I make no apology about it. I know that I will be much more valuable, impactful and precious to those around me when I keep myself firmly rooted there, in the #1 position.

When we’re at the top of our own priority list and we do the things that, even if it’s only for 15 minutes first thing in the morning, we know are good and right for us, we somehow magically move through the rest of our day just feeling better about ourselves — because we did what we really know is best and most right for us!

Then we know it’s done. We’ve done what we know to be good for us and now we’re off to an amazing start. We feel good about ourselves. We start the day on purpose, with an energy and attitude of power and possibility. We don’t have the sludgy thought train of guilt and disappointment following us around the rest of the day, that inner voice saying “I know what I should have done. Why didn’t I?”

Not a powerful position to play from.

So first, do your yoga (or whatever it is that you dig!). Do you.

Create your own list — if you don’t, somebody else will. (*And guess what, you will be at the bottom, because it’s their list!)

It’s really that simple. Pick up the pencil and begin.

#1. ME