How to Create a Morning Routine for Success
What does a successful day look like to you? How do you feel when you wake up every morning? Do you just want to crawl back under your covers and hide from your responsibilities, or do you wake up eager to seize the day? What do you spend the first thirty to sixty minutes of your day doing? Does it involve a morning routine? What if I told you that most of the world’s most successful people have a morning routine that they live by. Think Gary Vaynerchuk, Oprah Winfrey, and former President Barack Obama. Keep reading to learn how you can create a morning routine for success.
What is a Morning Routine?
A routine is simply a sequence of actions taken that are followed on a regular basis. This is important to remember because the success you will achieve in your life most likely will not be by chance or luck, it will be a direct result of your daily habits and routines. That being said, a morning routine is simply a series of habits you practice to start your day. It can be a diverse set of habits that give you the tools to tackle your day and your goals.
Why are Morning Routines Important?
You may be asking yourself, what’s so special about having a morning routine? Well, the morning is when your willpower is the strongest. Willpower is simply the ability to control impulses and resist temptations so that you can stay on course to meet your goals. When your willpower is high, your confidence and self-esteem are increased, leaving little room for excuses. Willpower is what separates successful people from people who wish for success but don’t take the necessary steps to step into the life they deserve.
Having a great morning routine is the one thing you can do to help you design and live your best life. You can start your day in control, rather than letting the day control you. In addition to that, having a morning routine has a number of benefits including:
Sets the tone for the day
Minimizes your stress and worry
Brings stability into your life
Boosts your confidence
Helps you prioritize overall well-being
My Story
I’ll admit, I am new to this morning routine thing. But after only a few months, I see a major difference in my energy, mindset, and overall well-being. For much of my life, I have always been on the go. I’d wake up, look at my phone, hop in the shower, rush to get dressed run out the door to start my day, and dive head first into my work. This routine used to work for me, but not in the way it should. One day I was completely burned out, mentally and physically. My anxiety was through the roof, and my thoughts were all over the place, obsessed with worry. To be honest, I always felt like I wasn’t being productive enough, reading enough, or just making the most of my days. I felt discouraged, depressed, and completely depleted of energy.
I realized it was because I was spending all of this time pouring myself into these other things, but not into myself. So, one day I decided to make a change. I started small about ten to fifteen minutes each morning, but have gradually built an hour-long morning routine that I am addicted to. Honestly, it feels great knowing that I am giving my mind, body, and spirit what it needs to function, and be successful! I read, journal, pray, and sometimes I just sit and listen to the morning birds chirp with my eyes closed. It’s really one of my favorite parts of my day. I always feel refreshed and ready to conquer whatever comes my way with a clear mind and heart.
How to Create a Morning Routine for Success:
Be intentional
You have to be intentional about working your morning routine into your schedule. Wake up 30 minutes to an hour earlier so that you will have time to practice your morning routine. You have to be intentional about working your morning routine into your schedule. Leave the excuses at the door.
Remember practice makes perfect
In order to build new habits, you have to be committed to continuously showing up for yourself until it becomes second nature for you. Waking up a little early and making some time for yourself may not be easy at first. But remember that practice makes perfect and nothing that is worthwhile comes easy.
Focus on positive habits
Not all habits are good habits. Honestly, I hope that when you start practicing your morning routine, you’ll be able to break some of the bad habits holding you back. We all have our vices. But it’s essential to start your day doing things that are going to feed your soul. Some habits do the exact opposite, but they’re second nature to us. An example of one of these soul-sucking habits is picking up your phone and logging into your social media first thing in the morning. (Guilty). That’s honestly one of the WORST things you can do for several reasons. Specifically, you're subconsciously starting your day on the wrong foot before you’ve even gotten out of bed!
Have fun
Your morning routine is for you and no one else. So have fun! Make time for things that truly bring you happiness and peace. I’m not going to tell you what your morning routine should be. I truly believe it’s very personal and depends solely on who you are as a person and what your needs are. All I will say is that you should take advantage of your morning so that you can be your best most successful self. For some people that means praying, for others, meditation or gratitude. I know some people who love to work out, while others simply enjoy reading or penning their thoughts. You can give yourself a facial, and spend time with loved ones, the point is you do what you feel you need to set yourself up for success.
Do you have a morning routine? What are the steps you take to get your day started? Let me know in the comments below!
