Want to Regain Productivity? Rethink Your Morning

Feeling unmotivated these days? Given all that’s happening around us, it’s a safe bet that most of us of feel at times unmotivated, unproductive, and perhaps really overwhelmed. And it’s no wonder. After all, we are living through a unique time in history that none of us have experienced before. We aren’t used to coping with the thoughts and emotions that come from a prolonged shelter-in-place reality. And those feelings can lead to a lot of sluggishness and stagnation. For instance, you may now find it a slog to get through work activities you once loved (or mostly enjoyed). Maybe you’re getting distracted—a lot—by worries over your family needs, home schooling, wellbeing for yourself and family, stress on healthcare workers and hospitals, unnecessary guilt for being worried about your problems when others are suffering more, and then there is the plunging stock market and economy.

What’s more is that the shelter-in-place restrictions, as imperative as they are, prevent many of us from experiencing the usual external stimuli and variety in our day-to-day lives. These are the experiences that can naturally provide opportunities for upward shifts in mood and mindset. For instance, we are currently not experiencing the positive, uplifting, healthy benefits that often come from participating in sports or watching our kids’ play on teams, socializing at networking events or company receptions, enjoying concerts and plays, getting a professional massage, sitting in the steam room at the gym, or getting a great haircut. Without these moments and the positive vibes that come from them, it’s more likely now than ever that whatever thoughts and feelings are with us in the morning stick with us through the end of the day. If we’re unaware and don't take action, it’s easy to fall into a deep rut for days or even weeks.

So, how do we begin the day on a feel-good note that provides lasting motivation? One way is to change your morning routine. Even if you don’t have a robust morning ritual involving journaling, yoga, and meditation--whatever you’re doing in the morning is your ritual. It is your routine. And if it doesn’t “spark joy,” to borrow a phrase from tidying expert, Marie Kondo, then a change is necessary. Melody Wilding, workplace success coach and author, writes in her Forbes article on morning routines of productive people, “When you start your morning with intention you bring your morning ‘wins’ with you the rest of the day.”

Waking up with purpose and engaging activities really can carry you through on a positive note all day long. What better time to give it a try? Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Consider how you want to feel: motivated, excited, entertained, inspired, relaxed, refreshed, etc., and create a list of enjoyable activities that make you feel that way. Maybe it’s something you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the time. Maybe it’s a fun project you’ve been wanting to finish, something creative, or an activity that you would ordinarily never engage in. Get creative on how you can make these things work where you are: at home, in your office, out in the yard, on your porch, deck, or balcony.
• Wake up a little earlier. Give yourself space to spend time enjoying your new routine, but keep it reasonable and aligned with what’s best for you and your health.
• Get ready for the day. Fully ready. Not just nice-shirt and old-sweat-pants ready. Before you begin your morning routine, pull yourself together in the same way you would if going into the office or having a meeting in person. You will feel less sluggish and more purposeful. After all, is working in your pj's still feeling like a fun, cozy luxury or does it blur the distinctions between work and personal time?
• Don’t expect perfection from yourself. Even when sheltering in place, life happens. If you skip your morning routine one day, just jump back in the next. Missing a day here or there is not a failure. Missing a day or two and giving up on yourself and your desire for happiness and productivity, is.
• Lastly, if you don’t feel much improvement the first day or two of your new regimen, try something different! Remove things, add things. Focus on how you want to feel and let that drive your actions as you start the day.

Of course, there are a lot of options for changing your frame of mind other than a morning routine. Most importantly, be aware of how you are feeling and take steps to strive for the emotional wellbeing you deserve. In fact, the ability to choose how you think, feel, and best respond to any situation is transformational and well within your grasp. For more on this and how coaching can help you, connect with me at www.dhirubhai.net/in/judy-gielniak or at [email protected].