I covet my mornings. It is the time of day I set aside for me. The time of day that allows me to set the tone for the rest of it. Because by establishing a good morning routine, you are in fact making your goals for the day a priority.
So many successful people give credit to being early risers. Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Arianna Huffington and Richard Branson all have established morning routines. And while they don’t all share the exact same routine, these high achievers do begin each day in a manner that leaves them calm, focused, and mentally and physically primed for rest of the day.
Morning Routine for a Productive Day
For me, the habit of a dedicated morning ritual started after I had babies. I needed to carve out a time where I had the house (and my thoughts!) to myself. Night time was not the answer because by the time that came around, I was wiped out from a day of mothering! Instead, I opted to set my alarm before I knew my family would be up in order to have the time I needed to get things done uninterrupted. And I quickly came to embrace my early mornings. There is something magical about the early morning hours. This quiet, calm, peaceful time of the day is unrivaled for me.
But there is also a sense of control. Having a morning routine better allows us to control our schedules rather than our schedule controlling us. As we start each day in our routine, we can better focus on what is in front of us.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am not one to jump of bed all bright eyed and bushy tailed! In fact, I really do not want to have a conversation with anyone until I am well into my second cup of coffee! So if you are thinking I could never be a productive morning person because you are not all happy and bubbly the moment you wake up, I will work to convince you otherwise!
Wake Up Early (But Do So Gradually)
How often do we say there are not enough hours in the day? Day being the operative word here! It is amazing how much we can stretch out our day by just waking up early! If you are a night owl, chances are you sleep in later. So if you are usually a late riser, don’t try to all of a sudden set your alarm for 5:00 a.m . You will set yourself up for failure! Instead, push back your wake up time by 30 minutes, then another 30 minutes. Eventually you will start waking up earlier and earlier (and most likely start going to bed earlier and earlier!) I am the point where I wake up early on my own, naturally, before sunrise.
Establish an Award
Ok, so you are getting up a little bit earlier but what is motivating you to get out of bed each morning. For me, it is the promise of drinking a hot cup of coffee in peace and quiet. In fact, I go to bed thinking about my coffee in the morning! But if coffee and tea are not your motivator, what is something that is? Maybe it is a healthy breakfast or a walk with the dog. Maybe it is even reading a chapter in a book or listening to a podcast uninterrupted! Whatever the case, find something that encourages you to get up!
Create Your Perfect Morning
Workout. Meditate. Walk. Write. Read. There are many ways to start your day each morning. You will be most consistent if you have an established ritual of what you enjoy. Whatever that may be, start your morning with purpose. It sets the tone for the rest of the day!
Create a To-Do List
While things are still quiet and you’re in the right mindset, focus on what needs to get done for the day. Even if your morning does not take you to your desk, write down your to-do list and prioritize what needs to get done. This can even be done the night before!
Do What You Do Best
My brain works best in the morning. It is the time of day I write my blog posts, answer and craft emails, check social media, pay bills and make phone calls. I do not work-out until late morning and only eat breakfast after that. However, if you mind doesn’t work until later in the day, use the time for something else. Work out, read, go on a walk or meditate! There is nothing that says you have to start jumping into tasks right away! Creating a morning routine is not focused on who can accomplish the most or check off more boxes than everyone else. Instead, it is about allowing yourself to begin your day with purpose.
Establish Healthy Habits
After my copious cups of coffee, I drink water first thing. Drinking a liter of water, or at least a full glass (that is me!), will boost energy levels and hydrate your body. If you like starting the day with breakfast, opt for a healthy one. Stick to high-energy foods like protein, vegetables, fruit and smoothies. Stay away from heavy grains that will make you feel tired and sluggish. The point is to nourish your body and get your energy levels up for the day so you can power through it!
Don’t Go Down the Social Media Rabbit Hole
I am sure there is a lot of time management advice out there that says don’t log in to your social media accounts first thing in the morning. But I do. I check social media first thing because I like to! However, I give myself a time limit. Otherwise you can find yourself going down the rabbit hole of endless scrolling. Then all of a sudden you look at the time and an hour has been wasted. So I limit myself to fifteen minutes and then carry on with my morning ritual.
Free Your Space From Distraction
A dish full of sinks, a desk full of clutter or even an unmade bed can be distracting. Tidying up the night before or making your bed first thing allows you to approach your morning with a clear head and a sense of accomplishment!
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Thanks for stopping by!
L, M