10 Tips to Make A Killer Morning Routine
Okay, you want a perfect morning routine for the rest of your life? Let me tell you right now, there is no perfect morning routine, in fact, there is no perfect life, so how then can we expect this little slot of time to be perfect as well. I have experienced it many times. Life happens. You may be planning how everything will be fine, you visualize it in your head, but then your spouse or child gets sick. Maybe something happens to your pet. Maybe there has been a robbery. But don’t worry. You alone are responsible to make it as perfect as it can be, given the circumstances.
Here are 10 tips that can make your morning routine as close to perfect as it can be, but keep in mind – if nothing is going as you wanted, there is always tomorrow, therefore don’t sweat the small stuff.
1. Plan Your Morning Night Before
Visualize in your head how would you like that your morning starts the night before. Think about what you want to accomplish – your most important tasks, however, don’t plan too much. 2 or 3 tasks are more than enough. Even better, write it down. You can use a classic – pen and paper way or write it on the phone.
If you want to exercise in the morning, then prepare your workout clothes. If you want to meditate, then prepare a meditation cushion or whatever you use for meditation. Plan what will you have for breakfast, if you’re having one, etc.
2. Pick a Wake-up Time
If you don’t have your usual wake-up time consistent every single day, select what time you want to start your day, and put your alarm on. If you’re just starting with a morning routine and would like your ideal morning to start at 5:00am, and now you’re waking up around 7:00, then set your alarm at 6:45am. And then after a week 6:30am, and then 6:15am until you reach your desired waking time at 5:00. That way you’re preparing your mind for long-lasting change.
If you’re more ambitious, reduce the time to 30 minutes instead of 15. Be careful: if you immediately set your alarm at 5:00am (from 7:00), chances are, if you’re not mentally strong, that you’ll fail your routine after a few days. Prepare yourself for success with baby steps, and reduce time accordingly.
Whatever you choose, be consistent and after a while, it will start to feel natural, and your body will automatically wake you up a few minutes before the alarm goes off. Our bodies are smarter than we give them credits for.
3. Don’t Touch Your Phone First Thing in the Morning
I understand the temptation is huge. After 7 or 8 hours without it, you’re curious what happened during the night and whether the world continues to spin. But trust me, it is, and the world can wait until you are ready for it.
Give yourself the first 30 minutes without the screen.
P.S.: if you use your phone for something you want to accomplish (meditation, counting breaths, daily affirmations, quotes, etc.) by all means, use it – but – be mindful not to go check your messages, emails, or social media. Either you’re in charge or your phone is. You decide. If you have problems with social media, use an app designed to block certain content – there are many available.
4. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
You’ve just spent 7 or 8 hours without hydrating your body, and it craves water. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, trust me, when you hydrate, you’ll feel better and wake up easier. The best option for our body and stomach is pure (warm) water. You can drink tea or coffee later.
Drinking water before anything else helps speed your metabolism and your brain. Try to drink at least one full glass.
5. Devote Some Time for Yourself
Whatever you choose to be your special time, do it for yourself. Not for your spouse, not for your children, not for anyone. Morning rituals are yours only, and they must be sacred.
Take 15 to 20 minutes to meditate, pray, read, journal, listen to podcasts, etc. Choose your own ‘cup of tea’. Anything that can help you grow and that will establish a great tone for the rest of your busy day.
6. Take a Look at Your To-Do List or Make it Now
The best way to prepare a To-Do list is the night before, but you can also use the morning to prepare for the success of the day. Write a killer To-Do list of the most important tasks you want to accomplish today. Don’t make it longer than 2 or 3 main tasks.
7. If You Can, Accomplish One Thing from Your To-Do List
For lots of people, morning is the time when their brain is at its peak. Use that mental power to your advantage and cross the most important tasks off the list right now (or at least one of the 2 or 3 you put on the list a few moments ago or the night before).
8. Make Your Bed
If you want to feel fulfilled, then you definitely need to make your bed. You don’t want to return home after a haptic day at work or school to an unprepared bed.
If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed – a great video I recommend watching.
9. Have Breakfast
Didn’t your mama tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Well, your mama may be wrong, but having breakfast in the morning isn’t bad either. You can fuel your body for the entire day. If you decide to eat, opt for healthy fats and proteins, and avoid carbs because they will make you sleepy and lethargic.
If you want your mind to be as clear as possible so you can be really focused on the tasks you want to accomplish, try intermittent fasting (skipping breakfast) to boost your brain activity. It also comes with the wonderful benefit of burning fat 😉
10. Focus on Your Strengths Instead of Weaknesses
It is always easier to focus and improve something that you’re already good at, than trying to get better at something you’re not. Leave the latter for the rest of the day. Know yourself, what is important to you, and what you want to improve.
Few Bonus Tips:
- If you use an alarm clock, please don’t snooze it. Ever. A few more minutes will just make you sleepier than before.
- Put the phone or an alarm clock as far as you can so when the alarm goes off, you need to get up and turn it off. This can be the difference between snoozing it and starting your perfect morning.
- If you use the phone as an alarm, change the alarm name to something motivational.
…
Morning routine takes time and practice to perfect. If it seems like too many steps, add a new one every week. My purpose here is to help you build the perfect morning routine, not to overwhelm you.
Wake up 15 or 30 minutes earlier each week until you reach your ideal waking time. Use all or a few of the tips above and create your own morning routine and adjust as needed. Just do it consistently and watch your days become more and more productive.
Remember: Your morning routine will evolve over time. Accept this and embrace it.
I believe in you.
If you have any other advice, let me know in the comments down below.
Cheers!
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