Whether you work from home, are a digital nomad, or have a 9-5 cubicle job, how we start our day is essential. With a strong morning, you are setting the tone and overall energy for the day. For me, this isn’t something that has always come naturally. For years I would sleep in, hit snooze (multiple times) and would find myself checking email or scrolling before I’d even gotten out of bed.
Fortunately, I’ve found that there’s a better way…and that’s exactly what I’ll be sharing with you in this post. If you’re looking for inspiration, and want to start your day feeling productive and motivated, you’re in the right place. Read on, my friend.
1. Wake up at the same time each day
Once I started waking up at the same time, I found that waking up wasn’t as difficult as it had previously been.
Find a time that works for you, and make it your routine.
Also, don’t hit snooze! There is so much research about the harmful effects of hitting snooze and how it can keep us feeling groggy and exhausted for hours later.
I don’t know about you…but that’s definitely not something I need in my life.
2. Have something to look forward to
Waking up is MUCH easier if you have something that you’re excited about. Whether it’s your morning coffee, time with your spouse or significant other, or listening to a podcast, it can be anything.
I also like to plan at least one fun activity after work which always keeps me going when I hit the afternoon slump.
For example, here are some of my favorites:
- Reading a new book
- Cooking a favorite meal
- An evening walk
- Getting ice cream with my husband
- FaceTiming with my sister
- Watching a webinar or taking a course
If you can’t think of anything in the moment, start a note on your phone, and jot down ideas whenever you think of something that you’d like to do, but don’t seem to make time for.
3. Make your bed
I know…you’ve heard this a million times. But believe me, it works. There’s just something that immediately makes you feel productive when you’ve made your bed first thing in the morning.
Also, since making your bed probably puts you in a good frame of mind, try doing something productive immediately afterwords to keep your productive chain going.
4. Make or review your to do list
If you want to stay on track for the day, start with a plan. For most of us, winging it never seems to work out very well. Because of this, it’s important to always start with a solid plan.
Things will never go 100% as planned, but starting with a good foundation will give you a better chance for success.
I also like to shoot for achieving 80% of the items on my list. I find that if I beat myself up for not achieving 100%, it’s just demotivating and doesn’t encourage me to make progress.
Realize that things will come up and we’ll never do EVERYTHING that we set out to do, but do your best and focus on slow and steady progress.
5. Try out a new skill or hobby
This year I’ve started learning Mandarin and mornings are a great time for me to quickly review vocabulary and even run through words or phrases in my head as I’m getting dressed or making breakfast.
Maybe you’re like me and you’ve always wanted to learn a new language, or take a class, or go back to school. We all have dreams and ideas simmering in our minds that are left unrealized.
Take some time and think about how you could build a new hobby or learn something new.
Last year I was working through a personal development course called Inner U and I made a promise to myself that I would start each morning with working on the program for 15-20 minutes a day, no excuses. In fact, to make sure that I followed through, I couldn’t make my coffee until I had put in my 15-20 minutes of work.
For me, this was a complete game changer, I was able to complete the program and felt such a sense of accomplishment each morning which carried with me for the rest of the day.
6. Eat Breakfast
I used to be the type of person who never I ate breakfast. I’ve never loved breakfast foods and would find myself just not making room for it, rushing from one morning task to the next.
Now, I make it a priority.
I especially like to build this into a specific routine. For example, now I know that as soon as I go downstairs in the morning, before I start working, I MUST eat breakfast. It’s usually something simple like a banana with peanut butter or a bowl of cereal.
I also find that I have so much more energy and can more easily work until I’m ready to take a break for lunch.
7. Plan out exercise
I know that not everyone likes to exercise in the morning, but I find that at least making a plan is a good thing to include in the morning. Whether it’s making sure that you have the right clothes to knowing when and where you need to be, have a plan for it and make it into a regular routine.
I find that planning this in the morning is a good way to remind myself.
For example, here is what my current exercise routine looks like.
M, W, F: Yoga + a long walk
T, TH, Sun: Weights + a short walk
Sat: Rest + walk
Find a routine that works for you and stick with it!
If exercising is not fun for you, making it into a part of your week is key. That way, you won’t even need to think about it, you’ll just do it.
So there you have it! These are my favorite tips for starting the day with a productive morning.
