This morning, blogger Chris Brogan wrote post called “Day in the Life” in which he chronicled a “typical” day.  He encouraged his readers to do the same and so this is my response to that challenge.

Why?

First, though, I want to answer the question ‘why?’.  This blog is about business, personal development and communication. Why share what’s going on in my day?  Why care what’s going on in anyone else’s?

Two very important reasons.

1. I blog for connection.

2. I blog to spark a dialogue.

Human beings are curious creatures.  We like to find out about what others are doing, why and how they are doing it.  I guess it’s our way of feeling like we fit in (or don’t).

So…here goes.

Morning

I get up around 6:30 a.m. and spend the first 1/2 hour or so getting going. I force myself to avoid the computer, phone, etc., first thing, much like Chris does.

My mission is to live well and teach others to do the same. In that respect, I want to practice what I preach each moment of each day (as much as possible).

So, I am learning to be as “present” as possible as I’m transitioning from a mindset of employee to one of business owner. That said, I admit that this is often a messy process.  Each person has to learn how to live in their own way.

I spend a half hour to an hour reading something that will help me focus in the right direction. Right now, that is The Exquisite Risk: Daring to Live an Authentic Life by Mark Nepo. (affiliate link)

I also spend some time in meditation/prayer.

I am not as efficient as I would like to be.  I’m not as effective as I wish I were. But I am creating and I am shipping and I’m having an impact, and that, right now, is my singular goal.

I write for about 3-4 hours.  I’m working on a new e-book on learning to heed to call of intuition.  I also post 5 times a week on one blog and 2 times a week on another.

Brunch/Lunch - I generally eat the same thing each day. Since I work from home, I have fresh fruit over granola.

Afternoon

I check my e-mail and interact on social media.

I am by no means a social media pro. I just recently started on Twitter, for goodness’ sake! I usually read and comment on other blogs and support friends and colleagues.  I wish this were more organized and “task-like” but it’s not.  And I guess that’s how we generally interact with each other anyway…We don’t generally structure: 1-1:30 catch up with family, etc.

The major lesson I have learned (or am learning) is that social media is nearly omnipotent, but I have to tell it when it can intrude on my life or it will take over all of my productive time and energy.

After I catch up on what’s going on, I delve back into writing the book.

I’m also organizing a small “Master Class” right now focused around the principles laid out in my book, An Imperceptible Spark: Finding the Courage to Live a Life of Joy.

Evening

I generally prepare dinner and spend time with the better half in the evenings. I try to steer clear of TV but sometimes end up in front of it.  When I do, my guilty pleasures are Tosh.O and Chelsea Lately.  Mindless entertainment, but always useful for a good laugh, which is beneficial.

I end the night by making sure my posts are scheduled to publish appropriately the next day.  I may read a little more before bed, tweet a bit and then hit the hay about 11 or 11:30.

Caveat:

Like Chris said, there are always distractions. I welcome these, but try to direct them (instead of controlling them). I’ll take a stroll down to the local farmer’s market on Thursday morning. I may swing into the library for a few minutes to pick up a new book I want to read.

The reason I work so hard to create the life I want is for the flexibility to be able to live it. So, I never want to find myself living so busily that I can’t enjoy the journey.

No Dreaded Mondays

Yesterday, one of my friends on Facebook posted a “Ugh…another Monday” status update.

I was pleasantly surprised when it took me off-guard. I realized that I haven’t dreaded Monday in almost a year. My weeks flow into my weekends and they are filled with different activities, but I am living the life I set out to live.

I am living well! I guess, in my opinion, that’s reward in itself.

What about you? How do you spend your time/day? I’d love to hear your thoughts. What are the ways you work to live life well? How do you control the Social Media pull and distractions of your day?

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net