We all know that getting out of the wrong side of the bed can make the rest of the day go horrible. We also know that stubbing our toe, spilling our coffee, or getting into a morning fight can ruin the rest of the day. But, it’s not all bad! Developing the right morning routine can help you be happy and productive for the rest of the day.
There are a lot of opinions about what you should do for the first hour or two in your day to set the rest of your day up for success. I’m a big believer in doing things that resonate with you and feel good to you, which means that not everything everyone recommends will be beneficial to you in the morning.
For instance, I can’t count the number of people who say that meditation in the morning is important to set up your day right. But, for me, I like to meditate in the afternoon so that I can give my mind and body a break before I get back to doing those things that I need to do.
One Thing Pretty Much Everyone Can Agree On Doing When It Comes To A Morning Routine
Stay off your phone, tablet, computer, and TV for at least the first hour in the morning. It should not be a part of your ‘I’m getting off on the right foot’ morning routine.
Give yourself at least an hour to wake up, connect with YOUR life (not someone else’s life online or on TV), stay present in your life, and do things that get you in the right mindset for the day ahead.
I can testify that this is life-changing. The first thing I used to do in my morning routine was check my email, social media, and the news. Often that made me sad, anxious or stressed about the day ahead. Sometimes I just wanted to go back to bed. That’s not good when you want to be productive!
Things That Most People Can Agree On
Through all the different personal development courses I’ve taken and groups I’ve joined, I’ve noticed that there are a few things that always come up as important to the morning routine.
Gratitude
Starting your day off by listing what you are grateful for helps you get into a mindset of ‘My life is awesome!’ and makes you want to do things to maintain that awesomeness. It’s a great way to get yourself pumped up for your day and find reasons to keep doing what you need to do.
If you can practice gratitude before you even get out of bed, you can really get out of bed on the right foot!
Tip: I heard the actress Roma Downey say the other day that she puts her first foot down out of bed and says ‘Thank’ and then puts her second foot down and says ‘You’. What a great way to remember to be grateful and start your day!
Read Something Empowering
Another morning habit that can really improve the rest of your day is reading something empowering. You can start your day by reading something empowering or informational that will impact your personal development in some way.
Some people I know read some passages in the bible and call it morning bible study. Some people read a chapter or two out of a personal development book. Some people listen to a few chapters of an audio-book while they go for a morning walk or workout. Do whatever works for you!
The point is to start your day off by taking in something positive. It should inspire you, open your awareness, or cause you to feel good. That will help you move on with the day on a high note and stay productive.
Exercise And Eat Something Good
The above two things feed your mind, but you also want to feed your body during your morning routine.
Exercise gets oxygen circulating in your body and helps you feel more ready to move and endure throughout your day. Plus exercise has other benefits, all of which will impact your productivity in some way.
Eating something healthy helps fuel your body and your mind for the day ahead so you can stay focused and alert, think properly, and get things done! I used to skip breakfast, but then I realized skipping breakfast was bad for my health, which ultimately affected my productivity negatively, so it became a must.
Do One Thing For Your Soul
Lastly, you want to feed your soul during your morning routine. It helps you remember that there is more to life than the everyday tasks, bumps in the road, and unexpected circumstances that occur.
This is why a lot of people suggest you meditate. It helps you connect to something greater than yourself.
I also know people who make time to pray in the morning. Doing this can help you feel connected to other people and the world around you as you move through your day.
Other people spend some time sitting outside or getting into nature. I’m one of them. I love to look at the stars if I get up early enough! There is something about nature that helps you remember how awesome life is past the everyday things.
Spend An Hour Or Two Setting Up Your Day To Be Awesome
This is something talked about in the Habit of Ferocity and many other personal development programs. Find what works for you in your morning routine. The big things to remember are:
- Do some things that stimulate your mind and help it focus on the positive, not the negative.
- Do some things that wake your body up and give it the energy it needs for the day ahead.
- Do some things that help expand your awareness and make you feel connected to more than just the everyday tasks of life.
You will be amazed at how much more productive you are in the day if you just spend some time setting yourself up for the day ahead.
