How would it feel to start your day motivated and organized? It would be great wouldn’t it? You’d know what you were doing, that everything was ready to go and you’d feel brilliant. Surprisingly, it wouldn’t take much to get a fantastic start to your day every single day. All that’s needed is for you to create a morning routine that truly motivates you and prepares you for success!
One of the secrets of success for those who are highly successful in life and business, is, in fact, a morning routine. It doesn’t need to be complicated and it certainly doesn’t have to be time consuming. In the beginning, it will require a commitment from you to plan and practice it daily, until it becomes a habit that happens without you even really thinking about it at all.
The morning routines of most motivated and successful people generally includes the following:
Early Start
Forget about procrastinating and putting the alarm on snooze every 5 minutes. Set your alarm for an hour (or even two) earlier than normal and see your productivity grow significantly. An early start may not come naturally, but if you go to bed earlier and get enough sleep you’ll notice a positive difference quickly.
Positive Visualization and Affirmations
Set the tone of your day by giving it a positive boost. Visualize your success from the get-go. Use positive affirmations and don’t forget to display them where you can see them frequently – this boosts their effectiveness. Doing this step within the first 20 minutes of waking up gives you a greater chance of success, as you’ll be able to reach your subconscious before your conscious mind wakes up and takes over.
Exercise
Doing some form of exercise will really get your blood flowing and generally serve to wake up your entire system. You don’t need to go for a 5-mile run every day. Your exercise regimen could consist of morning stretches, yoga or Tai Chi. These methods can keep you calm and ground you, as well as provide time for inner contemplation.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is critical to a healthy lifestyle! Many people choose to start their day with a glass of water and lemon. Herbal tea or a green juice are also good choices for an early morning drink to get your day started the right way.
Planning
If you want to have a successful day, make sure that you know exactly what needs to be done. There are many different planners and organizers out there. Choose one that works for you and fits your lifestyle. To achieve the optimal productivity, plan things for every hour of the day. Setting aside certain blocks of time for specific projects is also a great idea. For example, you could plan a 60 – 90 minute block of time first thing in the morning for a critical project, while you are in your most alert state. Be sure to make it focused time with no interruptions though!
Nutrition
A healthy breakfast is a good way to get your body fueled up and ready to tackle the day ahead. You’ll feel mentally fresh and will be able to concentrate on the tasks ahead of you.
Reading
Taking just a few minutes to sit and read something inspiring or educational will encourage you too. You don’t have to spend a long time reading, even 10 minutes will be enough to get your mind working and your motivation kick-started. Personal development books are wonderful choices for early morning reading.
Money Tasks
Before you head out the door or settle down to your work day at home, it’s important to do something that will either make you money or save you money. Prep the day’s meals so that you don’t feel tempted to get a take – out order when you are feeling tired at the end of the day. Make sure that the dishwasher is loaded and the kitchen counters are clean and clear. That way, you don’t have to think about tidying up after a long workday.
If having a successful day is your goal, then it’s important to start your day in a positive way. Having a morning routine that includes all, or at least most of, the above components will ensure that your day is primed for success and will have you feeling inspired and motivated from the very beginning!
