When the alarm goes off each morning, do you know how to start your day for maximum productivity? If the answer’s no, you’re not alone — most people give very little thought to how their first minutes impact the rest of the day.
But successful and productive people are different. They know that the right morning routine is a secret weapon, one that sets them up to accomplish more and feel great while they’re doing it.
Want to know the rest of their morning secrets? Productive people can also teach you …
How to Start Your Day With a Plan
They’re clichés, but they’re true: You rarely hit what you aren’t aiming for, and a good morning starts the night before.
So if you want to get things done tomorrow, take some time to think about what a “productive” day would be tonight. Review your to-do list and your family calendar so you know what’s on the agenda, and take a few moments to prioritize the “must-dos” over the “might-dos.” (Bonus points for picking out anything that you could delegate to someone else and passing it off to them.)
Next, stack the deck in the evening for a smooth morning. Choose your outfit, pack or prep for breakfast and lunch, and set out everything you’ll need to take with you when you head out the door (this last item is critical if part of your morning is getting kids to school).
How to Start Your Day With a Look Inside
That habit of checking email and social before you climb out of bed? Time to break it. Productive people start their days with a focus on what’s going on internally before they check in with the outside world.
This self-check-in can take the form of a morning journaling practice or a meditation and/or prayer practice (see below), or it could simply be a taking a few deep breaths before hopping out of bed and launching into the day.
How to Start Your Day With a Big-Picture Focus
Once they’ve taken a moment to see how they’re thinking and feeling, many productive people spend a little time to touch base with their big “why.”
They might meditate or pray or simply envision the goals they want for themselves, their families, and their community. This routine is a way to reinforce the reasons that a productive today really matters and to build motivation to keep going when things get tough.
How to Start Your Day With a Physical Wake Up
Productive people will tell you that opening your eyes isn’t the same thing as waking up. In fact, most productive folks have a physical routine that actively brings their body into full alertness.
It could take the form of the fabled 5 a.m. workout, but a physical wake up doesn’t have to be a full-on sweat session. You might have a gentle stretch, do a few jumping jacks, or just head out for a walk with your dog — just do something that gets the blood flowing.
Next up, your goal is to rehydrate before you hit the coffee pot. Many morning productivity gurus recommend a big glass of water. Others suggest taking that to the next level by adding things like lemon juice, salt, and/or cayenne pepper to your glass, which are said to replace electrolytes and give the body a less jolting pick-me-up than coffee.
For an even bigger physical springboard into the day, you can explore cold exposure, a big trend among productivity pros. Talk to your doctor first, and then explore cold showers for a rapid mind and body wake-me-up.
Experiment with these four pillars to create your own productive morning routine. And remember — the goal is to set yourself up for a fantastic day, not create the most elaborate early-day ritual. Experiment to see what’s worth it for you, keep what works, and eliminate the rest.
Zazzle’s Lifestyle Expert is here to help create life’s best & most important moments. Discover unique ideas and endless inspiration to create meaningful memories with family, friends and your community.
