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S Early morning advice that adds up to all-day success That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor 9 | Thursday, October 17, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com ix a.m. and I'm in the heart of a disaster zone. I groggily consider the possible causes of this chaos in our kitchen: either a twister ripped through our abode as we slept, or the mouse in the house held a rodent rave, or my wife and I simply dropped into bed last night -- exhausted from having hosted a Thanksgiving celebration and having ill-advisedly left the mess for later. Something tells me it's the latter, and that `later' has arrived. So, I roll up my sleeves and, exhibiting more energy than I'm actually feeling, dive into the disaster. Two hours later, we have our kitchen back. I have a sense of accomplishment and, according to Forbes magazine, I've set myself up for success. In a recent interesting article, it was noted that early rising is a trait shared by many successful people. Furthermore, there are apparently ve things many of those successful sorts tend to do most mornings -- before 8 a.m. One of those things is to "make your day top heavy." That is, tackle the day's least-desirable task (say, cleaning up after a Thanksgiving feast) rst. This is something I've always done, and something I'm forever advising my kids to do. Get it done, so this odious activity doesn't stress you out and hang over you all day. If you're having guests over and there's a toilet to be cleaned, clean the darn toilet. (Seriously, who wants an old toilet hanging over them?) Suf ce to say, this strategy also leaves the easier, more enjoyable jobs for later in the day when energy levels are agging. The article also advocated early morning exercise. I'm a big believer in early morning exercise. Energize the body and awaken the mind. And, like the day's least-desirable task, it's one of those things that's good to get done, before ambition wanes and exhaustion and all other excuses set in. Next up: breakfast. In case your mother never told you, "breakfast is the most important meal of the day." At the time my mother was feeding me this maxim on a regular basis, I was infuriating her by starting off each day with a coffee and a honey-glazed donut, or a big bowl of nothing. From her perch in heaven, I imagine she's now happy to see I begin every morning with a healthy breakfast. Fueling the body and prepping myself for all the nuttiness that will surely ensue. Finally, the article advised readers to map out the day and to visualize it (to me, these go hand-in-hand). Mapping out the day's activities is as prudent as mapping out a trip; it's a way to better ensure you and your day don't get lost, or take unwanted and untimely detours. Very few people work well in chaos. If you've plotted your day and visualized what you want or need to accomplish, it makes the chaos of modern life seem conquerable -- and it gives you a sense of control. It's all great advice. Advice that can set you up for success. Or, at very least, when it's 8 a.m. and you've already tackled the day's least-desirable task, worked-out, had your healthy ll of ber, done some mapping out and visualizing, it sets you up for an awesome afternoon nap. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com, found on Facebook www.facebook.com, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thesportjesters. YMCA membership Your family belongs here Nominate Today! Do you know someone who gives back to our community, gives leadership to a cause or stands up for the rights of others? Nominate them for a YMCA Peace Medallion! Swim, walk, run, shoot hoops or take a class - plus gain a wider circle of friends and discover why the Y is more than a gym, it's a community. Every November we honour individuals in Oakville whose passion for a cause helps make our community a stronger, healthier place to live. Your nomination will raise awareness of their cause. Recipients will be awarded a YMCA Peace Medallion and a $500 bursary for their charitable work. October 21-November 1, 2013 Try the Y! Get your FREE one-week trial pass Bring the whole family to experience the YMCA for one week, absolutely free! Take a tour and discover the benefits of YMCA membership. Valid only at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA. Limit of one trial per person, per year. Nomination Categories · Individual youth (19 years or younger) · Individual adult (20+ years) · Group (clubs, school groups etc) Visit ymcaofoakville.org for details. Nominations are due by Friday, October 25, 2013. 905-845-3417 ymcaofoakville.org Scan to see our video overview! We're Social! YMCA of Oakville Peter Gilgan Family YMCA