How we start a new day can significantly alter our next 24 hours. Although not all morning routines will look the same, it’s important to allocate some time for yourself before you jump into the hustle and bustle of life. Many people find that when they get into a habit of doing morning rituals, like journaling, meditating, and exercising, it impacts their productivity, creativity, and levels of wellbeing for the entire day.
Get the big things done first.
While our running to-do list may tempt us to check off the small errands first, it’s recommended to knock out the biggest and most important things first. For many, that’s a healthy workout routine, like a run, or working on a passion project that it always put off later in the day.
Prioritize based on your values.
Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs gave a powerful commencement address to Stanford University in 2005. Everyday, the entrepreneur and billionaire would remind himself of the life he wanted to live, helping him realign his actions with his purpose.
“For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been no for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”
Get outside of the box.
If the traditional morning routine of writing, journaling and exercise doesn’t feel enticing to you, try shaking it up and making it your own.
Tony Robbins, the world’s most famous life coach, travels the world, hosts events, monitors the dozens of companies he’s invested and involved in, and consults some of the world’s most powerful leaders. Throughout it all, he stays true to his morning routine. That said, he’s not just drinking your average cup of Joe.
According to Business Insider, Robbins wakes up between 7:00 and 9:00, running off three to five hours of sleep. He begins the day with a “adrenal support cocktail,” which includes greens powder, vitamin C, antioxidants, and capsules of other vitamins and nutrients.
After breakfast, Robbins does a 10-minute meditation he calls “priming,” which includes an intense breath-focused practice, giving gratitude, and visualization. He then performs a high-exertion 15 minute workout and jumps right into his sauna, followed by a cold plunge and ending with a stretch on his back inversion machine.
Remember, no size fits all.
If you are a night owl, no matter what anyone says, the 5AM club may not be the best option for you.
While people may boast about their morning routines, it’s crucial to remember that the best morning routine is one that makes you feel fulfilled, and that you can stick to.
