Some mornings can be harder to start than others. Many successful entrepreneurs take the morning time to make it their own because they believe that if something in their life is a priority, then it needs to be done first. How you start your day is setting the tone for the rest of your day, so why not start it off on the right foot. Here are some 7 tips to enhance your morning routine:
Stop Checking Your Phone
Many people are guilty of checking their phones before even getting out of bed. Instead of reaching for your phone first thing when your alarm goes off, try to wait at least an hour before scrolling on your phone. This allows your brain to fully wake up, the correct way. Many successful people do not check their phones first thing in the morning so they can focus on their own goals, instead of getting distracted by emails and social media. Not only does this prevent you from potentially seeing something negative online and being triggered for the rest of the day, but responding to other people also takes time out of your day that you could spend doing something more productive for yourself.
Get Up Early
Everyone has heard the cliche “the early bird gets the worm,” but no one has ever talked about how early that is. Successful people wake up as early as 4:00 am to allow more time in the day to accomplish what matters most. Take charge over your day as opposed to going with the flow of the day. More often than not, you have more control over your morning the earlier it begins because fewer people are awake and depending on you. Waking up early allows you more time to get organized, plan, and strategize your day.
Strategize Your Day
Taking a few minutes each morning to plan out your day in the right direction is essential to get the most out of your day. Whether you use a journal or a to-do list, it's important to visualize the goals you want to achieve and the tasks you want to complete and plan out how much time each of those tasks will take. Having your to-do list written down means there are minimal decisions you have to make when you wake up and leads to less stress in the morning. This also allows you to check your progress the following morning so you know where to begin your next day.
Take Time For Yourself
When you are constantly working and taking care of your family, if that applies to you, it can be difficult to set aside for just yourself. It's important to take even a few minutes every day to clear your mind and relax your body. “Me time” for people can be different for everyone, as some people want to drink coffee on their porch, write down their thoughts, or make time for some morning exercise. Having this time in the morning to yourself helps reduce anxiety and overthinking throughout the day.
Listen or Read Something Positive
Before heading into work try listening to an educational podcast, reading a self-improvement book, or watching inspirational videos. The first few things your brain absorbs shortly after you wake up are critical to starting your day off right. Starting your day with something positive allows you to come up with new ideas, a fresh perspective, and a positive start to the day. And if you are looking for a new podcast to listen to, check out our eWNPodcastNetwork!
Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
Burning calories makes you feel happier and healthier. Whenever you work out, you release endorphins which are a great way to relieve stress and start your day off right. Make time to exercise every single day, if possible if even just for a few minutes. Even if you can’t fit in an hour-long workout, you can still go for a 10-minute walk around the block, practice yoga, dance, do the yard work, or go swimming. Any movement is always better than no movement! There are plenty of options and varieties of exercise that you can choose from to find what works best for your morning routine. Exercising regularly also helps other areas of your life and generally makes people happier!
Eat Breakfast and Stay Hydrated
Another well-known cliche, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” However, there are a lot of people that don’t eat before heading into work which can have negative effects on your body after not eating all night while sleeping. Eating breakfast gives you the energy you need to start your day off right and continue your day with more productivity and better concentration. Also, it’s important to drink plenty of water before leaving your house, as it helps with your body’s digestion and metabolism.
How you begin your day is critical to how well the rest of your day is going to go. No matter what your goals are in the morning, it’s important to establish a good routine. Start with trying to include just one of these habits in your morning and slowly add more in as you get more comfortable. Many entrepreneurs will notice a huge difference in their energy levels and productivity wherever they find a morning routine that works for them!