Getting a jump on the day can often have a dramatic effect on how your day goes. We’ve all been there. You have 20 things to do before noon and you wake up dreading it all. This feeling often leads to a very stressful and non-productive day.
Last week, we got a glimpse of Geoff Brenner’s morning routine and the things he does to guarantee success; but what works for one may not work for all. Here are some basic steps to establishing a morning routine. Feel free to add to it as you decide what works best for you.
Step 1: Get an Early Start – As tempting as the snooze button may be, especially after a long night, hitting the snooze button guarantees a rushed start. Plan to have at least 1-2 hours before you need to be leaving the house.
“Lose an hour in the morning, and you will be all day hunting for it.”
–Richard Whately
Step 2: Stretch and Drink a Cup of Water – Start refreshed each day by doing a few light stretches and drinking water as soon as you get out of bed. The stretches will provide physical stimulation and increase blood flow. Water helps to fire up your metabolism, hydrates you, and helps your body flush out toxins.
Step 3: Read – When was the last time you picked up a book and just read for the fun of reading? Allow yourself 20 or 30 minutes to read your bible, a favorite novel, or anything that piques your interest. Reading provides mental stimulation and also acts as a stress reliever.
Step 4: Eat Breakfast – Do you get “hangry” around 10am? Don’t let an empty stomach rule your mood and how you start to treat others. Try to eat something for breakfast. And know that coffee is not breakfast! Plan ahead and know what you are going to have each morning.
Step 5: Repeat Every Morning – The quickest way to ruin any routine is to begin skipping essential steps. Make a habit of keeping to a morning schedule.
My challenge to you is this: Implement some kind of morning routine and document the results. See if you notice a distinguishable difference. I truly believe that the quickest way to a successful day is to establish a morning schedule and ground yourself for the day ahead.
