Success Starts With a Productive Morning Routine
It’s been said that how we spend our mornings is how we spend our days. I’ve always believed the key to a successful day is to jump out of bed in the morning, and begin each day with purpose, determination and resolve to make the day great!
Here are several elements of a productive morning routine that can help you make the most of every day.
Get a good night’s sleep. A productive morning routine starts with being well-rested. If you stayed up late partying, you’re probably not going to feel like getting up early. While there is validity to circadian rhythms determining our high productivity times, I think a lot of people feel like they’re not “a morning person” because of the habits they’ve developed around their nighttime routine.
One of the most important advancements I’ve made to my morning routine is honoring my sleep routine. I’ve found that, when I don’t eat anything within three hours of going to sleep, cease screen time well before bedtime, and go to bed at a consistent time every night, the quality of my sleep is the best, which maximizes my preparation for the next day.
Wake up early. According to psychological research, waking up early can boost your mood, make you feel happier, and enhance mental health. For me – and most highly successful people – it also leads to higher productivity.
Countless studies have shown that the most successful entrepreneurs and executives start their day early. What I like about early mornings is that no one else is awake. I’ve always enjoyed the quiet time alone before my wife and children are awake, and before the business day has started. I am in full control of my time, more than any other time of the day.
Drink water. Our bodies are made up of 70% water, so it’s important to drink water every day to improve metabolism, increase energy, and boost your immune system. Because we’re not drinking or eating when we sleep, our stomachs are empty, and we’re dehydrated when we wake up. Drinking water helps your body recover from that hydration.
When you wake up, immediately drink a tall glass of water with lemon. It will hydrate your body, help you to feel alert, and kickstart your metabolism.
Pray and/or meditate. As I wrote earlier, my mornings are the quietest time of the day. It’s the time when I am best able to think and reflect not only on the day, but also on my life. I pray throughout the day, but I start right when I wake up – even before I get out of bed. I’m grateful every single day I wake up, because I know there are people in the world who didn’t wake up out of their sleep. It’s important for me to express that to God immediately when I wake up.
Even if you don’t pray in the morning, the quiet solace is still beneficial. Whether it’s reading the Bible or a devotional, engaging in meditation, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet of the morning with a warm cup of coffee or tea, being intentional about this time is extremely important.
Exercise. For me, there are two benefits to exercising as part of my morning routine. First, it energizes me and prepares both my body and mind for the day. And second, it provides the satisfaction of having accomplished something significant first thing in the morning.
I’ll admit, I don’t always feel like working out in the morning. I never regret exercising, though. Regardless of how I feel before or during exercise, I always feel better after my workout is over. And I’m sure you do, too.
Engage in your highest value activity. I wrote an article recently that stressed the importance of choosing the three most important things you need to do each day, and focusing only on those three things. If your highest productivity time is in the morning, you can often accomplish one, two or even all three of those priorities before most people eat their breakfast. This is incredibly satisfying, and a great way to start the day!
For me, these high value activities often include writing (either articles or working on my next book), preparing for an upcoming podcast, or working on a new program. By working on your highest value activities in the morning, you can avoid interruptions that often occur later in the day, resulting in more focused effort, and using more efficient and effective output. It’s also great to jumpstart your day with a “win”!
I’m very intentional about my morning routine, and I recommend that you develop that same level of intentionality, if you haven’t already.
