Yogi Berra said that and it’s the same for business development. I've found success is more about what's in me than what's in front of me or around me. That's why I find it so important to set my head first thing in the morning, before the world invades. Beginning the day with the morning news, for example, goes something like this:

6:00 “Look at this horrible thing that just happened!"

6:03 Look at this worse thing that’s happening right now!"

6:08 "Statistics show that this other bad thing happens constantly. Here is our expert to prove it"

6:11 "Here is what you should be afraid of and worry about today, which, by the way, is completely out of your control!"

6:14 "Here is some awfulizing of several minor issues to be sure you know you can continue to worry all day."

6:15 "Now comes a commercial break to sell you something to make you look better, be more prosperous, or get rid of that pain, itch, fat, spot, or any of 99 other symptoms you certainly must have, insinuating that you don't look good enough, you don’t feel well enough, and that you aren't as young as you used to be…Whew!

This is far and away my idea of the worst possible way to begin your precious day. Here's my morning routine. I share this because maybe you don't have an intentional morning routine. Guaranteed you have a routine, but if it isn't intentional, it isn't yours. I'm sharing mine to offer a format. Mine won't be right for you any more than yours would be right for me. My goal in sharing is to encourage you to have a morning routine rather than a routine morning. To set my day on the right path, I avoid all electronics for the first hour or so. I wake naturally, rather than to an alarm clock, and my first action is to pet my dogs. They love it and make me feel welcome and important. Then I venture down to the kitchen and put the kettle on for a cup of warm lemon water. I sit and sip and think about the day ahead. I do a little stretching, then I open my journal and write two sentences. The first is my intention for the day, and next is something I'm grateful for. I then head out to exercise or sit and meditate, depending on the day.

You may not be able to wake on time without an alarm, and you may not have any pets. Your morning beverage may be coffee, tea, or juice. You may not have as much time as I do in the morning to contemplate the day or to meditate and your best time to exercise might be in the evening or on weekends. It's all good. Again, my goal here is to emphasize the importance of having a routine, designed by you instead of a routine morning imposed upon you. Set your head to set your day for success. Own your sales gene…