​A FRESH START: SETTING YOUR OWN PACE

By Eliana Barriga
Publisher and Managing Editor for The Retail Observer

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Eliana Barriga

Ahhh... a fresh start. Just the sound of that phrase seems to lift some of the pressure around my shoulders and relieve the tightness from my chest. Like I can walk right into my office and my desk is wiped clean. When I open my email, my inbox is empty. My chores are  nished. My projects completed. To start fresh means I look forward to what the day will bring. I have the time, energy, attitude and brain power to take on absolutely anything that may come my way.

I don’t know about you, but this is a far cry from what usually happens in just the first hour of each day! Before I even open my eyes, I’m already getting “urgent” emails sent to me from around the globe. Before I brush my teeth, I’ve added about 100 additional items to my to-do list for the day. Before I’ve showered and gotten dressed, I’ve received texts that will change an otherwise tight schedule to an even tighter one. No wonder why my first instinct is to grab a very large cup of coffee!

However, there are those days when I wake up and don’t look at my phone immediately, so I’m unaware of the emails and texts that I’ve received. I turn on Pandora to listen to my favorite music during my morning routine. I enjoy breakfast and a cup of tea outside on my veranda. Closing my eyes for a few minutes, breathing in the fresh morning air and enjoying the feeling of the morning sun on my skin.

When I choose to start my day like it is a fresh start, like it is brand new—these are the days that seem to effortlessly fly by. The days I have the best conversations and get the most out my day. It’s not because there was less work, less responsibility, less meetings, less emails, less chores or demands, it’s simply because I chose to start my day fresh.

​This new year, I am committed to choosing more fresh starts!

Happy New Year!
Eliana Barriga
eliana@retailobserver.com

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