Creating a Morning Routine
Why should I have a morning routine?
When you have a morning routine that is intentional it helps you create momentum for a great day. When you win the morning, you are more likely to win the day!
What is a morning routine?
A morning routine is something you do every day on autopilot. You already have one. You have either intentionally or unintentionally created one. When you create a daily morning routine that is intentional, it sets you up psychologically for a winning day. You start the day by keeping the promises you make to yourself and also a form of self-care. There is a purpose for it. Win the morning. Win the day!
Why should I have a morning routine?
When you have a morning routine that you have intentionally created, you start the day with momentum working in you favor. In other words, you are at CAUSE and you are creating your day and life is happening for you.
If you don’t have a morning routine you have intentionally created, your life and everyone around you are creating your day, you are living at EFFECT and life is happening to you.
When you live at cause you live with intention. Living with cause or intention is more productive and a form of self-care.
What are some of the benefits of creating a morning routine?
Increase productivity
More confidence
Lowered stress levels
Higher energy levels
Better relationships
Convinced yet as to why you should create a morning routine?
How to create a morning routine
There are various morning routines, so I will share a 20 minute, 40 minute, and the ultimate 60 minute routine. No matter what you choose there is no wrong way. It’s your routine and it’s a form of self-care so you can ultimately be of greater service to the world and be the best version of you.
Your routine will change as you change. You may want a longer morning weekend routine and it may change in the winter, spring, summer, or fall. It’s all good, what’s important is that you have one.
1. Your routine starts the night before
Write out what you want to accomplish the following day. Turn off your phone or put it on airplane mode and have a glass of water next to your night stand for morning hydration.
2. Make your bed!
A great way to check off something productive is to start with one win (make your bed). Remember you start and finish the day in bed, so think of it as 2 book ends for the day. You start with one win and it sets you up psychologically too. Even if you had a bad day, going to your bedroom with a bed tight and tidy is a good feeling. You know, kind of like when you walk into your hotel room, when you stay away from home and the bed is made with clean fresh sheets.
If you work at home, this can be impact your day. When you have a messy room an external mess can create an internal cluttered mess in your head. So make your bed! Simple easy win!
3. Exercise/movement time
Movement in the morning is a great way to stimulate your nervous system and awaken you from a deep slumber. This can include:
10 -15 push-ups
10 – 15 burpees
10 sun salutations
20 half jacks
15-20 seconds of various exercises
You can do all the above or some of the above; anything to stimulate your nervous system. This helps put you in good mood and it’s easier to be creative and productive when you are in an elevated emotional state.
This is not part of your exercise for the day, since most people spend more time at the gym warming up, cardio, strength training and flexibility; it's just an appetizer to start your day.
4. Reflection time
This is a time to:
Practice gratitude
Pray
Set your intentions for the day
Journal
Affirmations
Visualization of your day
Visualization of short and long term goals
Practice meditation
There are various meditation methods including guided meditations. There are great apps for guided meditation including Headspace and Calm that can be easily downloaded to your phone. There are many other meditations to choose from on YouTube, and two of my favorite are from Tara Brach Smile Guided Meditation and The Great Soul Sync Meditation. This reflection state helps you to be more observant instead of responsive throughout the day.
5. Growth time
This is time to learn something new. Read a book or listen to a podcast that will add to your growth mindset. Growth and contribution are 2 pillars for success and happiness. This is also referred to as self or personal development which is a process that that moves you in the direction of being the best version of self.
Many successful people include a cold shower, coffee, green smoothie or an accountability call to their morning routine.
In Robin Sharma’s book The 5 AM Club, he sets a guideline for dedicating the 1st hour of the day to yourself. Before you check your phone, emails or messages you commit the first hour to self-care which will allow for a more productive day, the secret of world class athletes, entertainers, millionaires, and ordinary happy people. When you start the day checking off the promises you make to yourself, it helps create a positive momentum for the rest of the day.
We can all create a morning routine and commit to it by going to bed earlier and win the morning before everyone in your home is up and you begin connecting with others.
20 minute morning routine
6 minutes movement, 7 minutes reflection, 6 minutes growth
40 minute morning routine
13 minutes movement, 14 minutes reflection, 6 minutes growth
60 minute morning routine
20 minutes movement, 20 minutes reflection, 20 minutes growth
Make a commitment to yourself for 1 week in which you will not check your phone, text messages or emails until you have completed your morning routine. If you need more ideas, check out our podcast episode #11 Wellness Wednesday Inspirations, “How Does A Morning Routine Impact Your Days and Life.”
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