Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life: How to Unlock Your Full Potential for Success and Achievement

THE RUDDER OF THE DAY
Just as you become what you eat, you also become what you feed
into your mind. Your mind is most receptive to new ideas first
thing in the morning. You can accelerate the process of changing
your thinking by starting off every morning by reading for 30 to
60 minutes in something uplifting and inspirational before you
start your day.
Just as vigorous physical exercise in the morning will prepare
you to be stronger and more resilient 
physically
during the day, pos-
itive mental exercise in the form of inspirational reading will pre-
pare you to be more 
mentally
fit during the day.
The first hour of the morning is called the “rudder of the day.”
Whatever you put into your mind in this “golden hour” sets the
tone of your thinking for the rest of the day. When you get up in the
morning and, instead of reading the newspaper or watching televi-
sion, you read something positive, constructive, and inspiring, you
preprogram your mind for the hours ahead.
Throughout the day, things will go better for you. You will be
calmer, more creative, and more alert. You will be more resilient in
the face of difficulties. You will respond more effectively when you
face the inevitable ups and downs of your daily life. Your early-
morning reading will have prepared you mentally to perform at
your best.