We've been talking about managing and coaching in tough times and offered a few thoughts about how to help your people navigate the churning waters of this recession.

Today, and over my next few posts, I want to offer a series of suggestions for starting your day a bit differently than you might be doing now. I think it might help us all get our heads right before charging out and leading in the current business environment.

I want to suggest that it's more important than ever for us as leaders to go "hands-on" right now. There is no ducking this one; you're it.

If you have to make tough decisions in today's economy, make them early. Waiting won't help. The economy is not going to recover quickly so it's best to get yourself positioned to weather the storm. Waiting only adds to the fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD), swirling through an organization experiencing less-than-stellar results.

And, since you are one of the leaders of your company, everyone is watching you -- closer than ever. That includes your rank-and-file employees and your direct reports who, let's remember, are themselves senior leaders in your organization.

How are you -- and your next-level leaders -- dealing personally with these tough times? After all, if we're not clear ourselves on how we manage through this turbulence, how are we going to project leadership to our teams?

I'd like to suggest a very concrete action by which I think we as leaders can help to get our own houses in order. (Or, as flight attendants always remind us: "Put your own mask on before assisting others.")

Here's the idea: How do you spend the first five minutes of your workday now?

If you're like most of us you dive right into "the current" of emails, voice mails, or copying your to-do list from the day before. This virtually ensures you will spend the rest of the day reacting, "busy," and distracted.

For the next week, try a different "First 5" or F5. The First 5 minutes sets the entire rest of your day in motion. How about using that time to design your day before you actually start doing it? This will greatly increase the odds you will be focused, energized, and in control of the rest of your day.

Really, all I'm suggesting is that you try something different with .01 percent of your day. There is one thing I think we can guarantee: If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.

What if you've too busy, tired, or stressed to take the first five minutes at the office each morning to, in effect, "aim" at the rest of the day before you start shooting?

Well, let me ask this: When are you not too busy, tired, or stressed? That's the problem!

When we can easily come up with a bevy of excuses to skip your F5 time is precisely when you most need to take time to become intentional, focused, and calm. Otherwise, your day is virtually guaranteed to be out of control, continuing down the path of stress and busy-ness, and away from what you really want.

So, here are a few simple ideas for giving you the gift of doing an F5 exercise every day for a week. After a week, assess the positive difference it makes for you. I predict you'll end up looking forward to your F5 time and my even come to view it as a lifeline, a kind of oasis from the frenetic ‘current' of the day.

In your F5 time, try one, two, or combination of the following.

1.    Choose a "mantra" for the day. What do you want out of today? What are the one to three words you want to keep top-of-mind that will help you create the day you want? Pick some words that embody the attitude you want to have or the way you want to act. Or, state a belief you want to guide your day.

Examples:
o    It's okay to take a break
o    Courage
o    Do what I can today and nothing more
o    Let go
o    Breathe

Find a way -- through Outlook, Post-it notes, or an hourly alarm on your computer—to repeat your manta at least once an hour during the day.

2.    Do the hardest thing first. What is the one thing on your to-do list that if it were done and off the list would give you a sense of relief, satisfaction, and control? Do it -- and do it now. Do the thing you would ordinarily put off or procrastinate over, such as a tough conversation, reading a boring report, or engaging in a lengthy phone call.

At least get it started. If needed, schedule another time on your calendar to get back to it. Then, be sure to pat yourself on the back for starting with the hard stuff.

3.    Create a NOT to-do list. Put something on the back burner. This doesn't mean it's going away and you don't need to do it, but it is something you are intentionally not going to do today. Park it. Get it off of your to-do list and out of your mind for today. Don't let it consume any of your energy. Don't clutter your to-do list with things you know you won't get to anyway. And, it's OK if your back burner list is longer than today's to-do list!

I'll have some more suggested F5 activities coming in future posts. How about you? What ideas do you have for a killer F5 activity? Have a terrific -- and focused -- day!