How To Start Your Day – With Jacq

Every day is a new opportunity to set the tone for success, and a good start begins with the right mindset and purposeful action. Here’s how you can start your day feeling organised, focused, and ready to tackle whatever comes your way:

1. Clear Your Mind with a Brain Dump
Begin by writing everything down—your thoughts, tasks, and to-dos. This process clears mental clutter and creates a roadmap for your day. By externalising your thoughts, you can focus on what truly matters without the distraction of trying to remember everything.

2. Prioritise Your “Eat That Frog” Task
Identify the biggest, most challenging task of the day—the one you might feel tempted to avoid. Tackle it first while your energy and focus are at their peak. Completing this will give you a sense of accomplishment and momentum to carry through the rest of your day.

3. Check In with Key Stakeholders
If you’re working with an executive or team, confirm their top priorities. Plans often shift, and staying aligned ensures your efforts are focused on what’s most important. Regular communication is your secret weapon for staying ahead.

4. Create a Flow-Friendly Environment
Set aside dedicated time to focus deeply on your work. Eliminate distractions by closing tabs, silencing notifications, and using a timer—20 to 40 minutes works well. This focused effort helps your brain enter a state of flow, boosting both creativity and productivity.

5. Ask Smart Questions
Stay intentional by asking yourself key questions:

What am I focusing on today?
Why is this important?
Who needs to be involved?
Understanding the “why” behind your actions keeps you motivated and connected to your goals.

6. Break Big Tasks into Smaller Steps
Often, a single task can involve multiple subtasks. Break it down into manageable pieces to make progress feel achievable and to avoid overwhelm. Celebrate small wins along the way!

7. Stay Focused on Your Desired Outcome
Be clear about what you want to achieve today. Visualise your success and let that vision guide your thoughts, words, and actions. Keeping your goals in sight will help you navigate challenges with purpose.

8. Seek Support and Share Your Goals
Leverage the power of community. Whether it’s checking in with a peer or bouncing ideas off a trusted colleague, collaboration can bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to your day.

By starting your day with these actionable steps, you can set yourself up for success and tackle challenges with confidence and clarity. Remember, every day is a chance to realign, refocus, and move closer to your goals.

Let’s make today count – Jacq.

Jacqueline Delarue, Head Trainer at The EA Institute, brings over 20 years of EA experience to her mission of empowering EAs, PAs, and VAs through self-leadership and practical tools to overcome stress and fear. Known for her facilitation talent, knowledge and networking skills, Jacq is The High Performing EA course trainer, offers coaching and also hosts free events and supports EAs daily on our online platform. When not mentoring, she enjoys fitness challenges, family time, and beach walks on the Sunshine Coast.