PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: An anonymous writer once stated, “For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.” I don’t know about you, but during this time of year I need to find as many extra hours as I can.

As I was reading articles on the subject, I found one on Yahoo Small Business Adviser that I thought was short, simple, and to the point: Start your day right, and you’ll be productive. I’d like to share five tips with you that I learned most successful people do before 8 a.m.

First: Exercise. Most people who work out daily, work out in the morning. Whether it’s a morning yoga session or a trip to the gym, exercising before work gives you a boost of energy for the day and that deserved sense of accomplishment. Anyone can tackle a pile of paperwork after 200 ab reps!

Morning workouts also eliminate the possibility of flaking out on your cardio after a long day at work. Even if you aren’t bright eyed and bushy tailed at the thoughtof a5a.m.jog,trywakingup15 minutes early for a quick bedside set of pushups or stretching. It’ll help wake up your body, and prep you for your day.

Second: Map Out Your Day. Maximize your potential by mapping out your schedule for the day, as well as your goals and to dos.

The morning is a good time for this as it is often one of the only quiet times a person gets throughout the day. The early hours foster easier reflection that helps when prioritizing your activities. They also allow for uninterrupted problem solving when trying to fit everything into your timetable.

While scheduling, don’t forget about your mental health. Plan a 10-minute break after that stressful meeting for a quick walk around the block or a moment of meditation at your desk. Trying to eat healthy? Schedule a small window in the evening to pack a few nutritious snacks to bring to work the next day.

Third: Eat a Healthy Breakfast. We all know that rush out the door with a cup of coffee and an empty stomach feeling. You sit down at your desk, and you’re already wondering how early that taco truck sets up camp outside your office. No good.

Take that extra time in the morning to fuel your body for the tasks ahead of it. It will help keep you mind on what’s at hand and not your growling stomach. Not only is breakfast good for your physical health, it is also a good time to connect socially. Even five minutes of talking with your kids or spouse while eating a quick bowl of oatmeal can boost your spirits before heading out the door.

Fourth: Visualization. These days we talk about our physical health ad nauseam, but sometimes our mental health gets overlooked. The morning is the perfect time to spend some quiet time inside your mind meditating or visualizing.

Take a moment to visualize your day ahead of you, focusing on the successes you will have. Even just a minute of visualization and positive thinking can help improve your mood and outlook on your work load for the day.

Fifth: Make Your Day Top Heavy. We all have that one item on our to-do list that we dread. It looms over you all day (or week) until you finally suck it up and do it after much procrastination. Here’s an easy tip to save yourself the stress — do that least desirable task on your list first.

Instead of anticipating the unpleasantness of it from first coffee through your lunch break, get it out of the way. The morning is the time when you are (generally) more well rested and your energy level is up. Therefore, you are more well equipped to handle more difficult projects.

And look at it this way. Your day will get progressively easier, not the other way around. By the time your work day is ending, you’re winding down with easier to dos and heading into your free time more relaxed. Success!

As I look these tips over, I absolutely know they are right: When I’ve applied them to my day, they’ve worked (so why don’t I do it more often?). I encourage you to try them and see what you think.

Original credit goes to Jennifer Cohen from Forbes for putting these ideas into a succinct article; I encourage you to go online and read Small Business Adviser tips from sites like Forbes and Yahoo on a weekly basis. I guarantee you’ll find something that helps you be more productive.

UPCOMING EVENTS: There are two remaining Business Success Seminars in October: “Benefits of Wind Power for Business” is Oct. 30 and takes place at the Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road. The next week the seminar is about QR codes and is Oct. 22 at Priority Business Center, 2 Main St., Topsham. All take place 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are free to attend.

Back by popular request, a repeat performance of the seminar “Intentionality, a Vital Component for Delivering Excellent Customer Service,” is Oct. 22 at a new time, 6 to 8 p.m. The seminar takes place at Priority Business Center, 2 Main St., Topsham. Seating is limited and you must register and pay online. Bob LaBrie, of Maximum Potential, is presenter. Don’t miss out this time!

Maine State Music Theatre and Joshua’s Tavern will host Chamber After Hours on Oct. 23, 5 to 7 p.m. Experience the best networking at 22 Elm St., Brunswick. Make new connections, gather business leads and reconnect with business owners. Chamber members, their employees and guests are all invited. The event is free to attend.

Hiring Maine’s Heroes Job & Resource Expo will take place at the Knights of Columbus in Brunswick on Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is open to all veterans, family members, and members of the public. Area employers are also invited to attend — if you have job openings, you exhibit for free. Contact president@midcoastmaine.com for more information.

Joshua Chamberlain Award presentation and Veterans Gala will take place at the Bath Golf Club on Nov. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is $25 and includes light finger foods. A cash bar is available. For more information, visit www.midcoastmaine.com.

Please go to the chamber’s website (www.midcoastmaine.com), scrolling calendar to register for all of these events. For some the seating is limited and there may be a fee.

The Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber proudly serves 760 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich.