Morning Routine? OK, I hear you. “I’m living in quarantine; I don’t have a morning routine.”  If you want to be more successful, satisfied, and happy, you might want to consider starting a morning routine. 

Hear me out on this. The number one indicator of a person’s success is not their level of intelligence. It is their work ethic and willpower. Work ethic and willpower will carry you through life’s most difficult challenges. Studies now show that you can build and strengthen these two vital parts of yourself. You can start by creating a morning routine that will set you up for success throughout your day.

1. Same Wake-Up Time

Waking up at the same time every morning helps to train your body and mind to make waking up easier. Doing this may not sound like fun in the beginning, but once you try it, you’ll never go back. Why? Because your body becomes regulated when you get up at the same time every day so that your sleep/wake cycles are on track. You’ll feel less fatigued and sleepy throughout your day.

2. Meditation

Starting your day with meditation has two benefits. First, it is an easy and slow way to start your day (you don’t even have to get out of bed). Second, it will give you the opportunity to reflect on your thoughts. Bonus, if those are positive thoughts about your day.

3. Workout

Morning workouts are a great way to get your blood pumping and your mind clear for the day ahead. Working out will most definitely test your willpower, as well. If you know me, you know this is my jam! Starting your day by making your bed and then getting a workout sets you up with two positive accomplishments.  You’ll also burn more calories throughout the day. (If you live in the Montgomery County area and want to join a community of people who will support you and cheer you on every time you show up to workout, check out Crossfit Enforce.  Give me a shout and I’ll meet you for your first lesson).

4. Breakfast with Others
   In-person or through a shared Zoom experience, eating breakfast with others prioritizes the relationships in your life and will help to put your day into perspective.

5. Make a To-Do List

OK, so based on my knowledge of personality type, half of you will skip this one, and that’s OK.  For the other half, writing a to-do list of your day’s tasks will set your intentions for the day and give you a plan of action. Remember, your to-do list can be for work or personal events, and checking off those items is sooo fulfilling!

6. Say Good Morning

Smiling and saying good morning to those you pass in the morning really has no direct benefit to you. It is much harder to see someone smile through a mask, but you can still see it in their eyes.  Smiles are contagious and can really change someone’s mood and make their day.

7. Keep Learning

You may not have time to add learning into your morning routine, but at least throw a book in your work bag. If you are actually traveling to work, turn on a podcast, or listen to an audiobook during your commute.  Continued learning, be it for any area of your life, is a process that takes time and commitment. You only benefit from it.

You may not have enough time in your morning to check off all seven of these aspects. Heck, you may only have time for one or two. The point of this article is to show that there are many options that will set you up for not only a successful day but continued success.

If case you haven't heard the news, I have a brand new leadership program with live masterclasses that start soon! This course is for new, current, and aspiring managers/supervisors who need some help up-leveling their leadership skills.  Know someone who could benefit from this course? Please pass the link to them. For more information click on the picture below:

Remember, soft skills lead to hard results.

Stay healthy!