By Are you one of those people who feels that no matter how early you get up, time is not on your side? Do you feel that if your morning sets the tone for the rest of your day? Do you find yourself constantly rushing out the door, leaving things, operating with one eye still closed, and in a grouchy, unproductive mood? You are not alone my friend.
Hi there. I’m Erica and I am NOT a morning person.
I can freely admit that rise and shine isn’t my mantra and I’d much prefer to stay up all night than succumb to 5AM morning calls. The reality is, the early bird actually DOES get the worm. How you start your day can assuredly determine how you plan to finish it.
You have to ask yourself a question. How productive do you want to be? How successful do you want to be? How focused and positive do you want to be? There are so many studies that advocate for morning routines and habits that can build up your momentum, keep you organized, and elevate your mindset.
If you want some key ways to improve your morning routine, I’ve listed six ways to take your mornings to a better level so that you can be more awake, productive, energetic, and overall action-oriented.
PLAN, PREP, POSITION, and REPEAT
It amazes me when people are surprised by their unpreparedness when it comes to their schedules. The majority of tasks on our schedule come around at the same time every week, month, and year! It’s only our inability to prepare for it that stumps us and throws everything off. Let’s do an exercise.
Look at the calendar for this month. Make a list of things you usually have to complete during this month. Then list out your weekly chores, and daily necessities. Washing and ironing clothes, cooking, grocery shopping, dusting the furniture, and meal prepping happen either weekly or bi-weekly. Exercising, bathing and grooming yourself, night-time prep, etc. are daily tasks. Then list out the events happening during the month (whether you intend to participate or not). If you have special projects coming up or are working on your business/side hustle, then list that too.
There are patterns here if we pay attention.
Here’s what you want to avoid – rushing in the morning, indecision, frustration, and disorder. This is why making a routine out of prepping can save you time and stress. When I first get home (especially if I know that I won’t be leaving the house), I immediately begin prepping for the next day. I mentally go down the list. Wardrobe? Check. Lunch? Check. Belongings and keys? Check, check. I even go the extra mile to review what goals I have for the next day.
So, ask yourself what are the 3 things you want to achieve each day no matter what?
SEEK NATURAL ENERGY AND EXERCISE TO STIMULATE YOUR SYSTEM
If you work in a traditional 9-5, then it’s normal to see co-workers consume coffee ALL DAY. Think about how many pounds of white sugar and milk and artificial flavors are running through a person’s veins to keep them awake. I’ve never been a big fan of coffee, but there have been times I found myself consuming coffee for the sake of company culture and needing a boost in the afternoons. I realized it was doing nothing but hurting my system, damaging my dental, and barely even keeping me alert. I didn’t want to have to go through that devastating feeling day after day.
Take control of your energy. Take control of your health.
There are healthier replacements for the standard brands of caffeinated coffee that you can consume. But also, increase your water intake to stay hydrated. I like to drink a warm glass of water, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of cinnamon. Starting your day with this does wonders for your metabolism and your digestive system. Also, putting some Green Vibrance in coconut water, or a few drops of ChlorOxygen in your water can take you to new levels. If you’re a coffee addict, I urge you to begin the process of weaning yourself off the sugar. If you need a fix, try some apples in almond butter. There are thousands of breakfast options and ways to stay alert during the day. Pinterest boards are your friend.
As for movement, exercise is without a doubt integral to your overall health and well-being. Is it fun all the time? Nope. Even the most dedicated of fitness gurus will tell you that they have to motivate themselves to push through. Why? The results are more than worth it.
I am lucky to work at a place where there is a gym, a park for walking, and working out is encouraged and discussed on a daily basis. The reason many people are so tense is because the only walking they do is from the couch to the fridge (no judgement, just fact). I’ll be the first to tell you about my struggles with working out on a consistent basis. But, I had to be real and say that most of us have the time, we just use excuses to avoid performing.
I asked a few people about the personal benefits that they get from exercising and the answers were interesting. Some people said working out has helped them manage depression, anxiety, and even insomnia. Others say it makes them feel superhuman afterwards like they can do anything or solve major problems. Also, it increases focus. The key is, they found an exercise routine and schedule that worked for them. So maybe you aren’t into exercising during the week. Well, take a few classes on the weekend. Maybe your morning schedule is too busy but you have 45 minutes in the evening. Use that to take a walk, a class, or even meditate at home.
ELEVATE YOUR MINDSET AROUND LIFE AND EMBRACE GRATITUDE
Mindset is everything.
Have you ever thought about what you think (and do) first thing in the morning and how those internal thoughts affect how you approach your day? Do you start groaning about your circumstances or worrying about getting things done? How optimistic is your outlook?
We have to train our brains to get into the habit of thinking positive. Pessimism leads to all sorts of things like fear, being stuck, and seeing all areas of life as problematic. Pessimists are quickly to use the words “I can’t” and spread their limiting beliefs all over the place. If this is you, let’s find a way to escape from that mental block.
There’s always something to be thankful for and we tend to overlook these things or accept them as our due. Make a list of 10 things you are grateful for and recite them in your mind daily. Don’t view your current problems as long term. Visualize yourself rising above those issues and being stronger than ever.
Create ways that you can enjoy your morning. I love listening to podcasts or certain individuals while I’m getting ready or commuting to work. People who are motivating or make me laugh alters the mood. I like to talk to friends on the way home. Don’t suffer in silence.
How are you currently making the best of your morning? Share your ideas below.
What do you think?