Whether you’re a night owl or an early bird, creating a morning routine is essential for having a productive day. I suppose the word routine is subjective – we all currently have a morning “routine.” There are those that jump out of bed, make their vitamin drinks, and hit the treadmill all before 6 a.m., and then there are those of us that wish we had a coffee IV and 4 more hours of sleep. People are different and there’s no morning routine that works for everyone. Even so, if you want to achieve your highest level of productivity throughout the day, here are some key elements that will make your morning routine most effective.
Plan ahead the night before
Getting a head start the night before allows you the freedom to get an early start on your important items for the day. This is effective because it will eliminate decision making and stress from your mornings, which in turn will conserve your energy. There are simple things you can do the night before, such as creating a to-do list for the morning, choosing an outfit, or packing your lunch and items needed for work. These simple things can eliminate the rush and chaos in the morning and ensure that you are prepared for the day ahead.
Sleep and wake up time
A large portion of your productivity and success depends on your mental state. If you are well rested, you tend to be more motivated and therefore, more productive. Getting enough sleep and waking up when your body is ready is key. Forcing your body to function when it’s not ready can often lead to burn out.
Optimizing your energy
Energy, real energy created by your body (not caffeine), is paramount to having a productive day. The older we get, the less energy we seem to have. We blame it on age but it may be our habits that have created this lethargy. Believe it or not, there are three simple things you can do to optimize your energy every morning.
- Drink water – drinking a glass of water in the morning can give you a boost of energy as soon as you wake up.
- Do a light form of exercise for 20 minutes – something as simple as stretching can increase your blood and oxygen flow, which gives you more energy.
- Eat a good breakfast – no Pop-Tarts or any other type of sugary luxury. A meal with actual nutrients is best.
Take a moment
Remember all the time you saved preparing the night before? This time can be used to take a moment to do something positive to put a smile on your face for the day ahead. Whether it be writing a card to someone, writing in a journal about something you are grateful for, or adding to a jar of goals for the year, this simple task of reflection will have an effect on your mood and outlook for the day.
Make a plan
Decide on the most important item you would like to tackle that day and make it your first priority. Before anything else, get that task accomplished. This way, your day is already a success. Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve every day will motivate you and give you a sense of pride and determination.
People are different, but we all strive to better ourselves and our daily lives. These simple tips can truly make a difference in your productivity as well as your everyday outlook.
