The last time you had a bad day, what did you identify as the root of that? Was it client problems at work or bad family news? Although those things can drastically weigh on your life, I believe that developing a positive, impactful morning routine will set you up for a successful day no matter what occurs. "The morning is the time of the day in which your brain is the sharpest. For this reason, mornings should be devoted to your most important work: bettering yourself and the quality of your life" (via Medium). While there is not a one-size-fits-all routine that everyone should apply to their life for optimum results, there are 3 key elements which all can be tailored for your personal situations: 1 - Gratitude The first thing I like to do each morning, before reaching for my phone, is I think about what I'm grateful for in life. I often think about specific things that have occurred that week or the simple aspects in life like shelter, food, a job, and family. The mindset of gratitude is incredibly powerful and can switch the focus of your day so easily. Keeping thankfulness top of mind guarantees happiness and reminds us that we are exactly where we are for a reason. Personal Application: Whether it's making a list, praying and thanking God, or simply taking a minute to meditate, including gratitude into your routine shifts your thoughts to the present moment and hinders you from dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. 2 - Exercise The next step in my morning routine is working out. Getting exercise in at the beginning of the day boosts my energy levels, jumpstarts my metabolism, and keeps me alert at work. Elite Daily shared that "exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy." Therefore, working out enhances your mood and sets your day off on the right foot. Now, I'll admit... it's not always easy to get myself out of bed at 5:45-6 AM, but keeping those benefits in mind acts as an incentive to do so. Personal Application: Physical activity in the morning can be tailored depending on your preferred exercise. Recommended options include doing a 10-minute yoga set in your bedroom, heading out to your living room and flipping on your favorite YouTube workout (here's one of mine), heading to your local gym for an hour, or simply stretching for 5 minutes. The most important part is that you listen to your body and do what works for you. Especially if you're used to working out in the evening, getting adjusted to this routine will take time. One habit that I recommend beginning is setting out your exercise clothes the night before. That way, you're mostly prepared to workout as soon as you wake up! 3 - Priorities The last step to a successful morning routine is organizing priorities and setting intentions in order to motivate you for the day ahead. As soon as possible, it's important to know what you should be prepared for and when. Take 5 minutes to take a look at your planner (this one is my favorite) and make a to-do list, emphasizing your top 3 priorities. Whatever you add to your list, be sure to weigh those tasks against the goals you've set for yourself over the next week to 3 months. It's important that you're both getting things done, but also working toward those overall, personal objectives that you've identified for your life. To do this, I will ask myself: "what am I doing today that will set me up for success in 7 to 90 days?" Personal Application: Living in NYC, I have the opportunity to identify my daily priorities during a 20-minute morning subway ride. Depending on where you live, the amount of time you have to get ready, or how you get to work in the morning, this step can be tackled at a number of different times:
What are the aspects of your favorite morning routine? I'd love to hear about what has worked for you in the comments below!
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Welcome to my blog! Here, I share posts about my favorite topics, including health, marketing, and lifestyle. My biggest hope is that you are inspired by what you read. Enjoy!
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January 2020
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