Creating a Solid Morning Routine
It can be tough to get going in the mornings, but it is possible to make it a little easier with some strategic planning. Keep in mind that everyone’s schedule is different so not a single plan will work for everyone. However, everyone can take inventory of their life situation and make the most of their time with some simple steps.
Having a solid morning routine not only makes your life easier but can help contribute to your overall success. It sets the tone for the rest of your day which in turn can determine the quality of your life. To get the most bang out of your morning buck we have a few ideas to help you determine a morning routine that will best work for your lifestyle.
Take time to figure out why you are getting up in the morning. This helps you stick to a routine because you have determined a purpose for your life. That can be very motivating to stick to something so that you accomplish everything you want to. When you work hard for something you don’t care for or about, all it does is create unnecessary stress in your life and who wants that? When you find something, you want to work hard for that you love, you find your passion and that can elevate you to new heights.
Next, take baby steps as you build your routine. Routines are often hard to maintain because we try to do it all at once instead of easing ourselves into it. Developing new, productive habits takes time and the more you allow yourself the ability to build up to a routine the more likely you are to keep it going. An easy example of easing yourself into a routine could be what time you wake up in the morning. Let’s say you are used to waking up at 8am, but eventually want to start waking up at 6am. Rather than jumping fully into waking up at 6am, try instead getting used to waking up at 7:45 and then 7:30, etc. until you hit the 6am mark comfortably. Chances are higher you will stick with it if you give yourself time to get used to it.
This plays into the next point, commit to consistency. Greatness doesn’t happen overnight. There is a lot of dedication and thankless work that goes into developing productive habits. It can take you anywhere from 18 days to almost a year before a habit becomes a habit depending on what you are trying to accomplish. If you want it bad enough, don’t give up. Be consistent and commit to making your goals a reality.
It can be helpful when starting a new routine to eliminate distractions and make plans ahead of time. For instance, turn your phone off at night and don’t keep it in your bedroom if you tend to check it first thing in the morning and get lost in social media. Pick out your outfit for the day ahead of time, prepare your breakfast and lunch the night before so all you have to do is grab these things and go. Another helpful way to plan is to add buffer time if you are someone that easily gets distracted. It may take you an hour to get ready if you are on your game, but what about those mornings that you just aren’t “feeling it”? Add some extra time to that time so you are always on the ball even when you aren’t.
Finally, it is important to find balance in your life. Your morning routine should eventually consist of activities that nourish your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual self in order to be able to conquer your day. Those things can mean many different things to many different people so figuring out what works best for you is key. You will go through a lot of trial and error on your way to this self-discovery, but once you get the right combination of things down you will notice your productivity go up and your morning routine become smoother.