HOW do you face into the world each morning? When the alarm goes off do you groan 'not another day' or wish you could stay longer in bed in an attempt to avoid what the day might bring.

Many people have their own version of affirmations upon waking each morning. It is common for most people to start thinking of all the challenges and difficulties that they have to face that day – it is a force of habit. Too many people face into the world each day with their 'radar' set on a negative frequency. They complain about every little thing that goes wrong in the course of their day and yet fail to realise that several more things are also going right! It is as if they seek out of life negative experiences in an attempt to rationalize their disappointments.

Remember what Abraham Lincoln said — 'most people really are about as happy as they make up their minds to be'.

If you want to end your day happy it is crucial that you start it happy!

The following tips will help you to get started.

Wake up from the inside – alarms are external irritants that bring you into consciousness. Choose a gentle sound rather than a sound that sends the body into a state of stress.

A great way to get your body off to a positive start is to keep a glass of water nearby, it rehydrates your body after a long period of sleep and is much healthier than coffee!

Become a thought detective — develop greater self-awareness and begin the process of keeping your thoughts and emotions in check. Remember the thoughts you think in the first 10 minutes after you wake up have a profound effect on the rest of your day.

Ask more empowering questions: 'What can I achieve today that will add to my confidence or success barometer? 'How can I have fun today' 'What act of kindness can I do that will make a difference' 'What one thing can I do today which will move me forward' With practice you will start your day in a more positive and focused state.

Eliminate negativity — many people waste so much time and energy thinking and worrying about other people's approval or unapproval, planning and manipulating and doing everything they can possibly think of to make everything go their way, so that they can feel okay about themselves. Resist the temptation to complain about every trivial thing that goes wrong and redirect your focus to your goals and the direction you have intentionally set.

Remember, like attracts like, so if you're optimistic, you'll be surrounded by optimistic people, if you're motivated, you'll be surrounded by motivated people. If you think you are attractive, other people will find you attractive.

Nobody can determine what you think but yourself. Why not choose to think differently and choose to direct your life in a way that brings more harmony and balance? Who wouldn't want that?

- with Emily Hurley-Wilkinson