Masterful Mindsets ~ Magnificent Morning Routine
“You’ve got to wake up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.” ~ George Lorimer
Last week I shared several big tips for organizing your time for maximum efficiency and I got a lot of response from subscribers and followers about them because I think it definitely hits a sensitive spot with so many people who are feeling overwhelmed and over-extended.
So, for the next few weeks I thought I’d respond to some of your inquiries by breaking down the concepts more specifically, starting with the one that I got the most inquiries about… which is how to create a positive morning routine. I’ll be addressing the following questions from readers:
What does a good morning routine look like? – Do you have to do it every morning? – If you don’t have enough time as it is, how can you add a morning routine? – What is your morning routine?
First let me say that there’s no one size fits all routine. Each individual is different so your lifestyle and your needs are going to be different. For example – If you are a spiritual person then prayer or meditation might be a very important part of your morning routine. But how you do it will be individualized. If nature is what inspires you and where you find your spiritual connection, then get outside each morning to begin your day. But if you prefer soft music to calm your mind and a journaling exercise to clear your head, then maybe you’ll want to start there!
Most importantly, a morning routine is not supposed to make your day more hectic. Quite the contrary, it should make your day begin calm, energized and focused. And again, how you choose to set your morning routine can and should vary based on your individual needs and desires. I could literally write a book on morning routines because there are so many different things that can be done. (There actually have been several books written about this topic. Check this one out: The Miracle Morning)
With that said, in the essence of keeping it simple today… if you can hold one general rule of thumb in mind when setting up your morning routine, you’ll be on the right track. That rule is:
Start Your Morning with Things That Fuel Your Mind, Body and Soul in a Positive Way
- Fuel Your Soul – Prayer, Meditation, Quiet Reflection, Journaling, Reading, etc.
- Fuel Your Body – Exercise, Eat a Healthy Breakfast, Take Quality Vitamins and Supplements, Drink Plenty of Water, Consume Less Caffeine
- Fuel You Mind – Listen to Uplifting Podcast, Get Organized, Have a Clear Plan for Your Day, Go Over Daily Goals and Schedule Priority To-Do List Actions for the Day
TIP: A great morning routine actually starts the night before! Tidy up, have your workout clothes ready, review your calendar for the next day, turn screens off at least 30 minutes before bed, go to bed in time to get 7-8 hours of sleep, etc.
Now, for those of you who think you don’t have time for a morning routine, here’s the good news… A morning routine doesn’t have to take any extra time! You already have a morning routine so the thought of having to find more time to create a routine, is not necessarily so. It’s more likely that you will only need to tweak the routine you currently have in a more positive and productive way.
Don’t believe me? Let’s have a little challenge…
Write down what you do every morning for a week. You will see a pattern emerge. It may be something like: hit the snooze button 3 times, make coffee, turn on TV and watch news, rush because your late for work (due to snooze button and TV) skip breakfast, etc. Guess what? That has become your routine. And if it is, just think about how negatively you start your day.
Once you’ve looked at your current routine, it’ll be very clear that you do not have to make more time. You just need to use your time more wisely. Then let the small shifts begin!
Start by deciding what inspires you and what will fuel your mind, body and soul. Then pull some of those pieces into your new morning routine, replacing the old negative habits one by one. (i.e. listen to a podcast while exercising instead of watching TV) Make it happen. It’s a choice. And every choice can make a difference in how the rest of your day goes.
Lastly, for those of you who are wondering, here’s what my magnificent morning routine looks like: I start the night before with an alarm on my phone telling me it’s time to wind down 45 minutes before bed. At that point, my phone goes dark and “Do Not Disturb” is on. I get my workout clothes ready, look at my schedule for the next day and do a gratitude prayer or journaling. Then, I get up at roughly the same time every day. I take my vitamins with a big glass of water and exercise first thing. During my exercise time, I actively pray. Then while I do a few “chores” that usually consist of organizing or tidying up the house or my office, I fuel up with a Spark drink which is a healthy way to get my caffeine intake as well as other vitamins and minerals. (If you’d like to give Spark a try, be my guest and get 10% off your first order by clicking HERE.) I have a balanced breakfast and go over my calendar for the day again. Planning, prioritizing and scheduling anything important. Then I begin my work day. It’s a routine that I’ve kept for years and it always helps me feel fully fueled and ready to win the day. When I don’t follow my routine (and yes, life happens, sometimes I don’t) I can always tell the difference in my day. So ideally, I’d encourage you to follow a morning routine every day for maximum energy, effectiveness and efficiency.
***Need help creating a plan to strategically win your days? Don’t miss the opportunity to take advantage of my FREE Strategy Session Offer while there are still spaces available. Go to https://michelleweimer.com/freesession/ to apply for your session now!
***I want to hear from you… How will you start your day? Comment Below! And be sure to join me for Facebook Live this week at 2:00pm Mountain (1:00pm PT, 3:00pm CT, 4:00pm ET) on my Facebook Biz Page: Coach Michelle Weimer