The Perfect Morning Routine (is not what you think)

I’m sure you’ve heard about the transformative power of morning routines. But have you ever stopped to question if the standard advice really works for you? Or wondered how you could create something tailored to your own needs instead of an arbitrary set of rules?

What if you could start each day feeling centered, energized, and purposeful? Ready to fully embody your values however the hours ahead unfold. It’s possible. You simply need to spark your own morning magic.

To help us navigate how to create a morning routine that truly works for YOU, I sat down with Charlie Gilkey , an executive coach and author of the new book Team Habits, to share five keys to upgrade your mornings from mundane to marvelous on a recent episode of the SPARKED Podcast.

1. Let Go of the Myths Around Morning Routines

Morning routines come loaded with myths that they must be done at a certain time or certain way. Another myth is that there is one “golden” morning routine that is perfect for all. In my experience, what matters most is tuning into your personal chronotype and needs. Listen to your body and mind about when and how to start your day, rather than clinging to rigidity. And truly tune in to your unique needs, resources and desires, rather than adopting someone else’s approach or some other standardized routine that’s likely never going to be quite right for you, and only you.

1. Adopt a Flexible Start-Up Routine

Reframe morning routines as "start-up routines" instead. This allows flexibility around when you actually start, based on your energy rhythms and the circumstances of your life. Forcing an attachment to the moment you rise can actually be detrimental, and even triggering when life makes it hard to do. Create something that truly works for you, rather than cramming yourself into a one-size-fits-all mold.

1. Build a Library of Potential Activities

Collect a variety of practices or activities you can draw from to build your start-up routine daily. Choose what you need in the moment rather than repeating habits without awareness. You are different on any given day, your startup routine should reflect your actual needs rather than some autopilot routine. Examples might include a walk through nature at sunrise, 3-minute intention-setting or meditation, breathing exercises, stretching or movements that energize, journal prompts, quotes that spark joy, or rituals that ground you.

1. Link It to Your Values

Design your start-up routine to support your core values and enhance your quality of life, not just productivity. For instance, if family or being there for a partner is a core value, hugging your partner or meditating to be present for loved ones might become a powerful part of your ritual. Make your practices support not just your ability to perform, but also your capacity to live.

1. Find Your Anchor

A consistent start-up routine can anchor you amidst daily uncertainty. Often times, there’s a moment, tasks, habits or experience that always happens and can serve as an anchor upon which to build your startup routine. This helps ensure it’s always tethered to something that happens regularly enough for the practice to become habit, and the habit to build true, lasting benefit.

For deeper insights into rethinking your morning ritual as a personalized start-up routine, check out the full podcast episode with Charlie Gilkey on the SPARKED podcast. It could be an inspiring catalyst for positive change in how you start your days and your life. #morningmotivation #productivityhacks #selfcare

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