Norton: How we greet the day is how we win the day
Some of us bound out of bed each morning, ready to take on whatever the day throws our way. For others, the snooze button feels like a trusted friend, and it takes caffeine, sometimes lots of it, before the day truly begins.
Many of us fall somewhere in between: not quite the “early bird catches the worm” type, but not the last-minute riser either. And some draw a hard line between weekdays and weekends, disciplined and punctual Monday through Friday, but relaxed and leisurely on Saturday and Sunday.
Where do you fall on the spectrum of how you like to meet and greet each day?
For me, mornings have always come naturally. Even as a kid, no matter how late I stayed up, my internal clock would wake me early. School, chores, work, it didn’t matter. I never struggled to meet the bell. But for many years, I carried a certain weight with those mornings. I saw waking up early as an obligation, something I had to do. It was my job to get up on time, and I treated it like a responsibility to fulfill rather than a gift to embrace.
That mindset shifted years ago when I heard Zig Ziglar make a simple but profound distinction: the difference between an alarm clock and an opportunity clock.
Support Local Journalism
Think about it. An alarm clock jolts us awake with the message: You have to get up. It signals obligation, duty, and sometimes dread. An opportunity clock, on the other hand, reframes the entire experience. It says: you get to get up. You get another day to learn, contribute, grow, and make a difference. That subtle shift, from “have to” to “get to,” transforms how we greet the day and, ultimately, how we win it.
I’ve been reflecting on this idea a lot lately, especially in light of the uncertainty and anxiety many people are carrying. The news cycles can leave us feeling unsettled, even fearful, as if each new day is something to brace against instead of embrace. But here’s the truth: No matter what is happening around us, every morning the sun rises on opportunity.
Responding to the opportunity clock means waking up with intention. It’s about recognizing that the day ahead isn’t just another 24 hours to endure but a chance to live with purpose. It’s a chance to improve our own lives and, perhaps more importantly, positively impact the lives of others.
How we start our day sets the tone for everything that follows. If we wake up already focused on opportunity, we naturally look for ways to contribute. Maybe that means beginning with gratitude, taking a few quiet moments to acknowledge the gift of another day. For some, it’s grounding themselves in prayer, scripture, or devotionals, aligning their spirit before the noise of the day begins. Others find that a workout jumpstarts their energy, flooding them with endorphins and clarity before most people have had their first cup of coffee. Still others prefer reading something uplifting or listening to a motivational message or inspiring music that frames their mindset in positivity.
There’s no single formula. What matters is that we choose to wake up with the belief that opportunity is waiting. Because when we do, the little things shift. Conversations become more meaningful. Challenges feel more like chances to learn. Even setbacks are reframed as stepping stones.
So, here’s the question: Are you waking up to alarm bells or to opportunity knocking? The difference may seem small, but over time, it changes everything, from how we approach our work to how we nurture our relationships to how we experience life itself.
I’d love to hear your story. Drop me a note at gotonorton@gmail.com and let me know how you greet each day. Because when we find the mindset and routine that allow us to meet the day with energy, gratitude, and purpose, we don’t just win the day. We live what I like to call a better-than-good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager, and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
