Do you feel like your days are crazy? Are you busy all day but when you get home, you’re not entirely sure what you accomplished?

What if you were able to change that? What if you were able to face the day with more energy and intention? What if you were actually working on things that mattered and advanced towards your goals?

If that sounds appealing, it’s time to take back your morning!

Mornings are Key

The first hour or two of your morning are the foundation of your day. You wouldn’t build a house by hastily digging a hole, pouring in some dry concrete, and then expect it to support walls and a roof. So how can you expect to have a solid, productive day when you rush through our morning without much thought?

“But I’m not a morning person!” you might say. I wasn’t either. I was the one who would hit the snooze button for the better part of an hour before finally getting up and making my way to work. Over time, I’ve learned the benefits of getting up early and building a morning routine.

Studies have found that morning people are more productive, procrastinate less, and are generally happier.  Some of the most successful people, from Tim Cook and Richard Branson to George Bush (both of them) and Michelle Obama, get up early.

But you can’t just get up earlier and expect everything else to stay the same. You still need a full night’s rest. To get up earlier, you’ll need to go to bed earlier. Don’t worry, you can watch your favorite late night TV shows the next day.

Your Morning Routine

Everyone’s morning routine will look different. You may have the kids’ school or day care to account for. Your spouse or partner might have a different schedule. There’s no one right routine for everyone.

However you design your morning, there is one thing it should not include: checking your email and social media. As soon as you check your inbox, you’re switching into reactive mode. You allow others to dictate your agenda. Stay out of your inbox and you’ll be 25% more productive.

In spite of the differences, a morning routine should incorporate these things:

• Hydration. Most of us are a bit dehydrated anyway, but this is especially true when you first wake up. When I first get up, I drink a big glass of water. It’s a great way to hydrate and kick start your system, first thing in the morning.
• Movement. I do my workout first thing in the morning because it works for me. But if you choose to do your regular workout later in the day, incorporate some amount of movement or stretching first thing in the morning. This opens up the body and gets the endorphins flowing to help you get ready for your day.
• Nutrition. Have a good breakfast, especially if you did a workout first thing in the morning. Whether it’s eggs and bacon or a fruit and vegetable smoothie, have something to give you the energy to face the day.
• Contemplation. Have some quiet time for yourself. This might come in the form of prayer or meditation. Others might just sit quietly or write in a journal.
• Clarity. Spend some time planning your day. For me, that means thinking about my goals and creating a todo list for the day. Write down the one or two things that must happen this day. The rest are nice to haves.

None of these things take a lot of time. Just an hour of intentionally working on yourself and planning for your day can have a huge impact on how you face the challenges of the day.

Have Intention

Your morning routine won’t look like mine. That’s not the point. The key is to do something to prepare for your day. Take care of your body. Prepare your mind. Have intention about what you want to accomplish during the day. As with anything, whether it’s giving a speech, performing music, or running a race, if you’re properly prepared, you’ll be much more confident and ready to face the challenges of the day.

Set up your morning right, and you’ll be ready to face the day with success instead of stress.

Question****: What are the key elements of your morning routine?