Successful people are those with successful habits.
And although it’s better to do what the great ones do rather than nothing, I think it’s even better to find a way that works best for you (for whatever it is that you want to improve and change in your life).
But if I had to choose one of the habits these people share, it would be the things they do first thing in the morning.
Here is why you should have a morning routine:
- it’s a keystone habit – that means that once you implement it, it will affect other habits of yours. For example, in order to get up early you’ll start going to bed earlier, also you’ll include things like reading, planning your day, eating a healthy breakfast, doing some housework, or else.
- it gives the rest of your day a purpose;
- it kickstarts your day;
- it’s the only time of the day when you can have time only for yourself (as others are still sleeping), be in silence and relax;
- it’s the best time for some mindful work, which leads to you being more productive;
- develops discipline;
- brings peace – the morning is quiet, beautiful, there’s no one and nothing to disturb you;
- you get energized and have energy throughout the whole day;
- you get stuff done – you can complete a task or a few from your to-do list and feel less overburdened later in the day;
- you don’t need to be in a rush – the average person gets up just before the time he needs to go out, he doesn’t have enough time for a coffee and breakfast, he often forgets something at home and gets angry, etc. But getting up earlier and having a morning routine gives you time for everything, you can do things slowly and don’t need to be in a hurry. That eliminates stress and you feel much more contented;
- how you start your day defines how you’re going to end it – begin with a positive attitude, healthy meal, smile and time for yourself, and I can assure you that you won’t end the day being tired and feeling bad as usual.
Your morning routine reveals your approach to your days.
And after all, life is a series of days. So if you make it a habit and do it every morning, your life will become more peaceful, organized, productive, disciplined, positive and healthier.
It’s not really about getting up early and doing stuff (although, that’s a big part of it), but more about the importance of just doing it, of knowing you’ve got a successful habit, of realizing its benefits and letting it help you improve in every other area of your life.
It all comes down to feeling more productive, to seeing yourself fresh and focused in the early hours, believing you can achieve much more, letting others see you lead a healthier life and being admired.
Add These 3 Practices to Your Morning Routine to Enhance Your Life
Benjamin Franklin once stated that “early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”
If you’d like to become healthy, wealthy and wise, it’s time to manage your time well and begin waking up early.
When you wake up early and remain productive, you gain the upper-hand because you’ll be taking advantage of the prime time to be the most productive.
As you begin the process of waking up early, squeeze these practices into your early morning routine as they will enhance your life.
1. Lemon Water
You can either choose to use hot water from the kettle or room temperature water. Cut half of a lemon and squeeze the juice into the water. Stir it together and drink it.
While you sleep during the night, your body loses a bit of water. It’s important to replenish and wake your systems up by drinking lemon water.
Lemon juice has detoxifying and cleansing properties. It’s excellent for getting the digestive system moving so don’t be surprised if you have to escape to the restroom after drinking a cup.
2. Meditation
In the early hours of the morning, you’ll have the opportunity to get quiet and think. This is one of the few times where you might not have people vying for your attention for various reasons.
Use this time to be still. Think about your goals and dreams. Release any tension and express gratitude for all the good in your life.
You can even use this time to focus on writing in a gratitude journal. You can also read an encouraging message in an inspirational book.
Having a meditative moment is helpful for setting the tone for the day. It’s also wise to listen to a motivational message. Listen to speakers like Les Brown and Lisa Nichols to get you on the right path.
3. Exercise
While there are many people who disagree with this sentiment, it’s important to exercise.
Exercise is good for the body and though it’s not always the most enjoyable process, you’ll enjoy the results. To make it more enticing, find different exercises that you actually enjoy.
If you love running on the treadmill, go for it. However, some might prefer to do some yoga and pilates. Others might love an early morning weight training class at the gym. If you want to work on perfecting your physique at home, purchase home gym equipment to get you in the right shape. Plus, the endorphin release is out of this world.
Read also: Copy Former NFL Player Chris Gronkowski’s Morning Routine for an Effective Day
All this will change your mindset, and that’s where success is created. We first become happy and successful in our heads before it shows any result in real life.
So embrace the morning and dedicate it to your morning routine. Until it becomes a habit (for the next 30 days), be absolutely serious about it and make it the most important part of your day.
Make sacrifices in the beginning – like going to bed earlier, and finding the will to get up early although you won’t want to leave the comfortable bed – so that you can enjoy the benefits of it and the new and better person you’ll become later.
What about you? Have you felt the benefits of having a morning routine?
