"A daily ritual is a way of saying, I'm voting for myself. I'm taking care of myself." -Mariel Hemmingway
The morning routine has been a hot topic in the self-growth space for several years. It seems every successful person has a morning routine. You see various influencers touting their routines on Instagram and Youtube. Maybe you feel inspired after seeing or reading about a great morning routine -- or your perception of a great routine. Perhaps you have even tried to implement one into your own life only to give up in frustration after a few days.
Here is the deal, though -- your life isn't the same as inspirational gurus like Tony Robbins or Richard Branson. You have your own unique responsibilities, biorhythms, productivity style, and your own concept of what makes you feel fulfilled and successful. So why should your morning routine look exactly like someone else's? If your attempts at a morning routine haven't been successful in the past, maybe it's because you have been copying one of someone you admire rather than creating your own.
Perhaps it's time you reexamine the morning routine and create one that truly works for your life -- one that feels like a little morning retreat. Your morning routine is your opportunity to fuel your mind, body, and soul for the rest of the day. A morning routine shouldn't bring stress and anxiety to your day. Instead, your morning routine should eliminate a lot of that stress and anxiety.
You will be reminded here of some of the great ways a morning routine can benefit your life. Then you will be guided through creating a routine for your morning, which takes into account your unique needs. You will then learn why a good morning routine starts at night and how to troubleshoot when your routine gets off track.
Benefits of a Morning Routine
If you are still questioning whether a morning routine might be right for you, please envision the following scenario:
Your alarm goes off. You hit snooze multiple times. You are so tired from staying up late and bingeing your favorite Netflix show. By the time you finally get up, you realize you're running late for work. You can't find anything you want to wear in your closet, so you end up digging through the laundry basket. You are ravenous, but you don't have time to eat. You grab a cup of coffee and a granola bar, and you and scarf it down in the car.
You arrive at the office harried and stressed. Where is that proposal you were working on from home yesterday? You haven't planned your day or considered your priorities. You feel as if you are playing catch-up the rest of the day. You are ravenous by lunch, so you make some unhealthy choices.
You're exhausted by the end of the day, but can't articulate what you accomplished. You want to stop at the gym on the way home, but going home and crashing on the couch sounds more appealing. And then, you start the cycle again tomorrow morning. You realized by week's end, you have accomplished nothing of what you say is important to you.
Could you relate to any of this scenario? If so, this is where a solid morning routine could change your life. A morning routine is an opportunity for you to intentionally curate the most important activities to you.
You can think of a morning routine like building the foundation of a house. Everything you add to a strong foundation will be that much sturdier. You are ensured you will accomplish your most important activities at the beginning of the day, rather than leaving these things to chance when your motivation is lagging.
When you create good routines for yourself, you eliminate unnecessary decisions and automate good habits. An intentional morning routine psychologically sets the stage for a positive day. Your morning routine is an opportunity to be a little selfish and engage in activities that will serve you. When you create a good morning routine, you're well-prepped to face whatever might come your way that day. With a good morning routine, you will keep yourself on track to accomplish your goals and fulfill your life's vision.
How to Create a Great Morning Routine
When you consider your ideal morning routine, evaluate your motives. Why do you want to create a morning routine in the first place? Are you looking to start a small business? Maybe your goal is to start a non-profit organization. Perhaps you want to live a healthier life. Whatever your reasons, get clear, and you will find it easier to complete your routine.
Start by taking a look at your current routine. What are the things you already do in the morning? Consider which of these activities need to stay and what you could eliminate.
I love Keith Rosen’s, author of Own your Day, perspective by aligning with your Mission, Values, and Goals.
Personally, I have tried to eliminate Social Media entirely from my routine in the morning. Think about whether seeing someone else live their life is a good way to start your own. Is there anything you are currently doing you could spend less time on or remove altogether?
Spend a little time thinking or journaling about your ideal morning. I have found it incredibly rewarding, to begin with, an entry and reflection in my gratitude journal. From there, create a list in ascending order of the activities you would like to pursue in your morning routine.
Below are some ideas of things to incorporate into your morning. Before perusing this list, please consider a few things. Physical activity stimulates your brain for learning, so you may want to incorporate some stretching, a walk, or other fitness activity into your routine. Also, it's best to work on your more challenging tasks when you work best. If you're most alert that first hour after you wake up, maybe this is the time to tackle 30 minutes of writing your book. Schedule your most demanding tasks for when your mind is the sharpest.
When you consider your ideal morning routine, try to think about a good mix of activities that will fuel your mind, body, and soul. Think about your morning as a mini-retreat. What will be nurturing to you -- some good music, a comfortable chair to write in your journal or a hot cup of tea? Think about the following list as a buffet. Choose what looks good to you for now and leave the rest:
Recite positive affirmations
Meditate
Do a morning devotional
Exercise
Stretch
Drink a large glass of water
Make a smoothie
Gratitude Journal
Eat a nutritionally-dense breakfast
Visualize your perfect day
Reflect on your goals
Take a cold shower
Plan your day ahead
Get dressed to look your best
Keep a dream journal
Listen to an inspiring podcast or watch a Ted Talk
Take your vitamins
Make your bed
Challenge yourself to create a list of 10 ideas
Once you have created your morning routine, write it down and post it somewhere highly visible. Before your routine becomes routine, you may need to refer to this list. You could also add your routine to your daily calendar.
A Good Morning Routine Starts the Night Before
The most successful morning routines start the night before. We spend a lot of time focusing on what to do when we wake up. However, the preparation you do the night before will determine how successful your morning routine will be. I have begun a habit of reflecting and journalling on the day, successes, bottlenecks, issues, and connections. What did I learn, what needs to be a priority in the coming days, what has me excited, and what are the challenges that need to be solved.
Look for possible stumbling points in your routine. Do you struggle with what to wear in the morning? Layout your clothes at night. Are you looking forward to making a green smoothie in the morning? Maybe you should prep all of the fruit the night before. Do you plan on journaling first thing? Place your journal and a pen beside your writing chair. By taking these small steps the night before, you will set yourself up for success.
Don't be Afraid to Fine-Tune Your Routine
Don't beat yourself up if you fail to follow your routine. Think of your new morning routine as a skill you need to hone. Try again the next day. Allow for changes, and be willing to adapt. Know your routine will change over time as your life evolves.
If you find yourself starting to skip days, it's time to re-evaluate. Missing days is a sign you really don't want what you're telling yourself you want, or you are taking on more than you can handle. Here are some questions to ask yourself when evaluating your routine:
What feels good about my routine?
What does not feel good about my routine?
Is my routine something I look forward to each day?
Do I feel energized when I complete my routine and ready to tackle the day? -or- does it leave me feeling drained?
Is my morning routine making my life better?
Do I feel better positioned to accomplish my goals?
If something interrupts my routine, am I able to easily get back on track?
Here is some final advice for developing your morning routine. Don't wait until you feel motivated to take action in your life. You can hack your motivation by using the power of momentum. Taking action itself can be motivating. Your brain wants to match up with your body. When you get your body moving, your brain will soon line up to get on board.
Hopefully, you now feel well-equipped to design a morning routine that ignites your mind, body, and soul while moving you closer to the life you want. Just remember to create a routine that is designed for you -- one that will work based on YOUR life. Finally, don't be afraid to change things up if they aren't working for you.
Let me know if I can help. Mark
Illuminate. Inspire. Ignite.
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