One Way to Be More Successful in Life with Multiple Sclerosis

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to be able to do so much in a day, despite having some type of ailment, while others seem to be unable to do much of anything? 

This is something I have thought about for a long time. It was a source of great frustration for me. For example, I couldn’t understand how the Paralympians I saw on TV could do such highly intensive physical movements when they had the same illness as me, while I barely had the energy to make a hot drink.  

It wasn’t until I started my podcast and began speaking with some of these people that I understood what made them different. I discovered that it’s something that makes us all different, with or without an illness. 

Riddle time! What’s one thing that we all have that controls everything we do, but none of us know how to fully use it? Keep reading to find out. 

Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a quick-fix scenario. I’m not saying that suddenly you’ll be competing in the 100-meter sprint (unless that’s your goal). For me, it all started when I was given a book a few years after my diagnosis, called “The Miracle Morning,” by Hal Elrod and Rob Actis.

Initially, it was hard to get my head around this idea of incorporating a new morning routine into my life and it was even harder to implement. Truth be told, the process took me years.

But eventually, I got to a place in my head where I started to feel better. 

You’re probably wondering, “What’s so great about a new morning routine?” Well, this morning routine enables you to start your day with the right mindset. This mindset allows you to focus on what you can do that day, rather than on what you can’t. 

The steps of the “Miracle Morning” spell out S.A.V.E.R.S. I’ve added an extra step into my routine called “Gratefulness.” 

S.A.V.E.R.S. stands for:

S = Silence. Sit in silence and listen to a meditation video on YouTube. 

A = Affirmations. Write out a list of “I am’s” to affirm who you want to be. For example, I tell myself things like, “I am confident,” “I am brave and strong,” and “I am able to handle anything.” These powerful statements have helped to improve my mental health. Read more about multiple sclerosis and mental health here.

G = Gratefulness. Recognizing what you already have around you enables you to feel happier and less overwhelmed. 

V = Visualization. Got something big coming up that you’re feeling anxious about? Visualize how you want it to go. Picture yourself crossing the finish line and doing it over and over again. By the time you are actually doing it, you’ll feel a lot less anxious. (This is a Paralympian tip, by the way.) Listen to my interview with Paralympian Kadeena Cox, MBE. 

E = Exercise. Move your body somehow and get that blood flowing. I’ve found that the best time for me to exercise is the evening. So I move things around to do it then. This is your “Miracle Morning,” so do it your own way. No matter how small the activity, just do something. Here’s a blog I wrote for “MS Connection” about exercise.

R = Reading. This includes audiobooks and motivational YouTube videos. Find something motivational that inspires you. 

S = Scribing. Start to write down your daily thoughts. It’s amazing to read past journal entries to see how far I’ve come. 

All of these steps usually take me between 30 minutes and an hour to complete. It is possible to do a quick “Miracle Morning” in about seven minutes if you take one minute for each task. 

There is a reason why people who succeed have a morning routine. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying this will cure you of MS or that it will work for everyone. I’m just passing along what works for me. But imagine what life could be if you tried a new routine like this one.

Maybe you do something like this already. I know many professionals who take their mornings very seriously. 

Since I started this routine, my invisible symptoms have improved. I’ve become a lot more focused on what I can do rather than on what I can’t. It’s helped me to wake up feeling like I can conquer anything that comes my way.

If you do choose to try the “Miracle Morning,” let me know how it goes in the comments below. 

Oh, and the answer to the riddle? It’s the brain! Did you guess it?

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Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.