When you start your day with a fixed morning routine, you send a signal to your brain indicating that it’s time to switch into working mode, exercise mode, or any other mode required to start accomplishing your tasks. More importantly, a morning routine helps you overcome any lack of motivation you may feel when faced with the tasks at hand. Having a morning routine will help maximize your productivity as well, since prior planning and coordination will push you towards achieving your goals and help you develop beneficial habits that will elevate you to a happier state for years to come.
Many people start their morning with some type of routine they follow each and every day. Whether it’s exercising or running around the neighborhood, praying or meditating, or simply drinking a warm glass of water, these habits are ingrained in their daily routine. On the other hand, there are some people who don't follow a clear routine. Do you happen to follow a certain morning routine? If you don’t, then you probably should start doing so. A morning routine has many benefits and will help you become more organized and energetic throughout the day.
How can you improve your morning routine?
Starting and building your own morning routine is a gradual process and is not a thing that should be done overnight. If you’re unsure on how or where to start, here are a few tips and strategies to help you get the most out of your morning:
1- Add fun to your morning chores
Doing chores in the morning might sound like a strange way to begin your day, but it’s a great way to kickstart your morning with movement and activity especially when you add a bit of fun to the process. Try playing your favorite song or playlist, listening to your favorite radio station, or calling a close friend while doing these chores. Combining something that you like when you do these activities will make it much more enjoyable to complete. It will also give you that feeling of satisfaction when you come back home after a long day knowing that you’ve already finished your chores.
2- Focus on managing your energy, not your time
What type of tasks do you think you can do better in the morning just after waking up? Take a moment to think about it. Do you find your morning energy best used in exercising and training your body? Or are you better off using your energy doing mental work, like reading a book or preparing work tasks? Once you start having a clear understanding of what is best suited for you to do in the morning, you can then figure out what to plan for the afternoon and the rest of the day. Managing and understanding your energy and mood will better help you manage your time.
3- Plan tomorrow's tasks the night before
Get into the habit of using the time before you sleep to plan for the next day. Starting the morning with a plan and list of tasks to handle will save you a lot of time when you wake up. Take advantage of having a morning action plan and be prepared to take on the upcoming day.
4- Don't grab your phone as soon as you wake up
Control the urge to check your phone or emails immediately after you wake up. It’s better to wait before using any devices to make better use of the morning to focus on things that need to be done with a clear mind away from any distractions. Try keeping your phone off during the early morning or at least leave it in another room away from your sight. It may sound simple, but it will take a while to get used to and eventually this simple act will help you start the morning with concentrated energy.
Successful people often have routines they follow, so starting your day with one is an important step in the right direction since what you do in your morning affects the rest of your day.
