I’ve talked a lot about morning routines as of late. That is because it is extremely important for productivity. Every successful person I know has a morning routine. But what’s in a morning routine? As in, what should be included in a morning routine to insure that the rest of your day is productive? In this article, I will go over that.
Good sleep: The key to an effective morning is to start the night before. Sleep is so essential to productivity. The two go hand-in-hand. When you start off the morning without quality sleep, you are going to be tired the rest of the day. A tired brain is an unproductive brain. So make sure you get 6.5-8 hours of solid and uninterrupted sleep.
Exercise: Exercise is an essential component of your day. And science has proven that it is better to get exercise out of the way in the morning rather than wait until after work. A morning workout routine is easier to keep up with than an afternoon routine. This is because the afternoons can bring about a series of interruptions that can ruin your plans. Additionally, a full day’s worth of work will take a serious toll on your willpower and will make hitting the gym much harder. Research also shows that working out in the morning will help you sleep better than working out at in the afternoon or evening. This is due to the temporary increase in heart rate and body temperature your body experiences after exercise. Additionally, working out in the morning, especially a hard workout, will curb your appetite immediately after. This will help alleviate some morning hunger you may feel. One study showed that kids who ran one mile before class showed drastic improvements in a whole range of cognitive tasks. So essentially, working out in the morning sets up the rest of your day for success.
Me time: Your morning is not complete if you do not find time for yourself. The rest of your day is dedicated to doing things you must do to put plate on the table. The rest of the day is also dedicated to your other responsibilities. But the mornings are your and yours alone. That means it should be your time to do something for yourself. Whether it is learning a new language, learning a new skill, or just doing something you really love. This is the most effective time to do things that you are too busy or tired to do during the day.
Plan for your day ahead: One of the first things I do when I’m wide awake in the morning is to take a look a look at my calendar and make the necessary adjustments. Looking at your calendar everyday is an essential part of a productive day. When you look at your calendar in the morning, you can anticipate and plan the rest of the day. Being productive is about being proactive, not reactive.
Review your goals: I think everyone should have their goals written down. Goals that are written down are much more likely to be achieved. But don’t just write them down and not ever look at them again. When you look at your goals every morning, you reinforce your commitment to achieving your goals. Don’t just look at your goals—ask yourself what you can do today to help you achieve your goals. This exercise only takes 5 minutes of your time but is extremely powerful in helping you achieve your goals. I like to write my goals down on a piece of paper, fold it, and then put it in my wallet. I have my wallet on my nightstand so I pull it out every morning to look at it.
Coffee/Tea: I do feel like there is a lot of good in caffeine. It can give your brain a temporary boost in productivity. Also, coffee and tea have been known to offer many benefits to longevity. But like anything else, don’t overdo it. If coffee has too much caffeine for you, try drinking tea or taking l-theanine with your coffee.
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