“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives,” says Pulitzer-winning writer and painter Annie Dillard.

I couldn’t agree more with Annie. How we spend 24 hours does define our lives.

I have a diverse group of friends.  A few keep me inspired with the amount of life and work they manage to not only fit in to each day but also having enough energy to help others, always reaching for the sky.

It’s not the same for everyone though. With unexpected challenges surfacing or the monotony of living setting in, we often encounter problems with time and motivation. So we procrastinate and wait for inspiration to strike.

This is where the importance of daily rituals comes in. Beginning your day with a ritual helps you accomplish important tasks, or move through your list of ’to-dos’ whilst helping you stay motivated.

It begins with discipline and grows effortless over time. Think of a tea ceremony – it involves seemingly repetitive actions but for the mindful practitioner, every movement accomplished births new energy.

It’s been said it takes 21 days to create a bad habit – how about 21 days to create a good one?

Morning meditation, yoga, a bike ride or long walk with your dog is a perfect way to ground yourself whilst energising your mind, body and soul.

Rituals don’t have to be about exercise. I know a writer who established a daily ritual of writing 200 words as soon as she wakes. No need for technology. She sets her alarm clock, grabs a pen and presto, writes her first 200 words for the day bringing a feeling of empowerment.

Beginning a ritual can be fun. The trick is to start at the same time so it soon becomes second nature. For example if you’re a parent working from home, try some early morning stretches with your children before breakfast.

Great minds think alike…  For some added inspiration and motivation I thought I’d share advice from some of the worlds great minds.

‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.’
Aristotle

‘Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant. There is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks.’
Johann Gottfried Von Herder

‘If you want to succeed in the world you must make your own opportunities as you go on. The man who waits for some seventh wave to toss him on dry land will find that the seventh wave is a long time a coming. You can commit no greater folly than to sit by the roadside until some one comes along and invites you to ride with him to wealth or influence.’
John B. Gough

‘We are still masters of our fate. We are still captains of our souls.’
Winston Churchill

‘Believe with all of your heart that you will do what you were made to do.’
Orison Swett Marden

Once you’ve established your ritual, look forward to it. Think I can’t wait until I start my day tomorrow with…..

What about you? Do you have a daily ritual that keeps you motivated?

About the author

Tameera Kemp is the Director of Light Stays Retreats & Living – a global guide for your mind, body and soul.Tameera enjoys visiting retreats and taking regular classes to balance energy, increase awareness and gain new perspective. Tameera’s interest and study in alternative therapies and metaphysics began as a teenager. She’s practised astrology and numerology for around 20 years assisting people with life cycles, direction, clarity and understanding and has over 20 years combined experience in journalism, communications, travel, alternative therapies and personal development.