I’ve been reading Robin S. Sharma’s book The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari – a wonderful story
full with insights and ancient wisdom on how to open your life to success and
happiness. One of my favorite authors writing on productivity and personal development
Brian Tracy
said about this book: “A fun, fascinating, fanciful adventure into the realms
of personal development, personal effectiveness, and individual happiness. It contains treasures
of wisdom that can enrich and enhance the life of every single person.”
One of the strategies known to the sages that Robin Sharma shares is the Ritual of Early Awakening that emphasizes
the need to wake up early in the morning and start your day with positive thoughts (following are the quotes from the book):
One of the best pieces of advice I learned in that far-off oasis of Sivana was to rise with the sun and to start the day off well...
The ten-minute period before you sleep and the ten-minute period after you wake up are profoundly influential on your subconscious mind. Only the most inspiring and serene thoughts should be programmed into your mind at those times...
What you put in is what you get out... By determining the thoughts that go in, you also are determining precisely what will come out. So, before you go to sleep, don't watch the news or argue with anyone or even go over the day's events in your mind's eye. Relax. Drink a cup of herbal tea, if you like. Listen to some soft classical music and prepare yourself to drift off into a rich, renewing slumber...
Once you are up, there are many things you can do. The fundamental principle to keep in mind is the importance of starting your day off well. As I've suggested, the thoughts you think and the actions you take in the first ten minutes after you wake up have a very marked effect on the rest of your day...
Think positive thoughts. Give a prayer of thanks for all you have. Work on your gratitude list. Listen to some great music. Watch the sun come up, or perhaps go for a quick walk in natural surroundings if you feel up to it. The sages would actually make themselves laugh whether they felt like it or not, just to get the 'happiness juices' flowing early in the morning...
It’s common for most people to wake up and start thinking of problems they have to solve today. Change your thinking. Every problem is an opportunity, look at it this way. If negative thoughts come to your mind – replace them immediately with something pleasant and optimistic, and subconsciously you will carry these positive thoughts and good mood through your day. Instead of thinking “Oh my God, another busy day ahead…” I think “Hey, God just blessed me with another day to live, let’s have fun!”. And don’t forget to smile... 
There are many other great tips and strategies in the book, and together they form a whole philosophy of living. Recommended read.
