7You Are What You Repeatedly DoHow the Right Routines (for You) Help You Show Up at Your Best

Happy Hour Starts at 6:00 AM

For Alanson Van Fleet, a senior executive in a global financial services company, happy hour starts at 6:00 AM. No, he doesn't start his day with a Bloody Mary or a mimosa. Happy hour is Van Fleet's term for the morning routine that helps him show up at his best for the rest of the day. Here's his breakdown on what's in his happy hour and what it does for him:

I spend the first 60 minutes of the day really focusing on taking care of myself. First, it's 20 minutes of pretty vigorous exercise. I've got an exercise bike, and I go almost at a sprint level on the bike for 20 minutes. It wakes my body up and gets my circulation going. Then I set a timer for 20 minutes of reading material related to a mindful way of life. Then I wrap up with 20 minutes of meditation.

Then I head down for breakfast and a shower and get ready for work. Happy hour sets my day up with an incredibly positive frame of mind that leaves me feeling very connected with my mind, body, and spirit. It's just a great way to start the day. . . . It carries me through.

As we begin Part Three, we turn to identifying the routines that will help you strengthen your mindfulness alternative ...

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