Why You Need a Successful Morning Routine to Start Your Day.

The Goal is to be More Productive

“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” — John C. Maxwell

Everyone has a routine they follow. But, some routines are far more successful than others. The superstar at work as a routine, as does the employee on the verge of being fired.

Routines are important because most of our success results from small actions over long periods of time. It’s impossible to lose 50 pounds or rise from obscurity to fame without having an amazing and effective morning routine.

What does your routine look like?

It’s important that your daily morning routine support your goals? Maybe you're thinking that a morning routine doesn't really give you enough time to accomplish anything worthwhile in the morning, and I would tell you that nothing could be further from the truth.

The benefit of a great morning routine over months and a year is spectacular. Just 1 hour, adds 30 days of productivity to your year. That’s an additional month of productivity to your work, career, and life.

Consistently being on time, prepared, and spending your work time intelligently and productively also quickly separates you from the average.

If you think you can’t spare the time, keep in mind that you’re already spending that time doing something, you already have routines. They’re just not serving you very well.

Morning Routine

“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life — think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.”— Swami Vivekananda

You’ll find that if your morning gets off to a great start, the rest of the day tends to go smoothly.?It sets the stage for having a great day and being able to perform at your best.

Most morning routines are poorly designed to get you up as late as possible while barely making it to work on time. Not the start to a successful day or a routine that is supporting your objectives and goals in life.

Morning routines can be the most challenging to alter. You’re likely tired, pressed for time, and maybe a little disgruntled about going to work. But that’s why a morning routine is so important. It’s an easy way to outperform the person in the next cubicle, or the person standing between you and a promotion, or your biggest competitor.

You don’t have to outrun the bear, you just have to outrun your hiking partner.

Get up on time.?Others notice, whether you realize it or not, when you're late. Put your alarm clock on the other side of the room and avoid going back to bed after your feet hit the floor. Ensure you’re getting up early enough to get to work on time comfortably.?Give yourself plenty of time to complete your morning routine and set your alarm clock appropriately.

Morning exercise.?Something as simple as 15 min. of exercise in your bathroom before you jump in the shower is enough to get your body going and wake up your brain. (Cold water for last few seconds at the end of your shower works great too.)

Morning hygiene.?Is your grooming appropriate for your goals? It might be acceptable for your current position, but is it acceptable for the position of your dreams? Avoid being the person that shaves every other day or refuses to give up the haircut that went out of style 15 years ago.

Groom yourself and dress for the position you want, not the position you have. It’s important to look the part before you get the part.

Meditate or pray.?Put your mind in a good place before your workday begins. It doesn’t need to be anything elaborate; do what needs to be done to feel confident, focused, and relaxed.

Review your goals. This is a great time to remind yourself of the things you’re working to accomplish. How many times have you set a New Year’s resolution, only to forget it a week later? Keep your mind focused on the prize by reviewing your goals every day.

Review your top 3 Priorities for the day.?Read over your top 3 priorities for the day. Make a decision each morning that the first thing that's going to happen today are these 3 priorities. Don't let anything keep you from accomplishing these 3 in order of importance.

This will not be the same as your plan or schedule for the day. Your priorities are the 3 most important things that must happen today to move you toward accomplishing your goals.

Eat an appropriate breakfast.?What’s appropriate is dependent on your objectives. Please give it some thought and make wise choices.

Final Thoughts

Having an amazing morning routine will allow you to be far more prepared, energetic and cheerful, as well as looking your best.

The morning is often chaotic for people. You sleep in, get out of bed too late, and then the real rush begins: jump in the shower, brush your teeth, get the kids ready, have a fast breakfast and rush out for the day.

More structure; less stress; and increased productivity. In addition to that, you get up earlier and have more time to do the things you want to do. You are going to be amazed at how much more productive you'll become now that you're going through life stress-free.