Last week, I shared my morning routine. Here’s a refresher: I wake up early. Like, 4:30 am early. That’s what works for me! And while I don’t think everyone needs a morning routine that’s so intense, I do think everyone should have a morning routine. Here are my tips to get started on creating yours!
1. Start with one thing other than getting ready.
The Miracle Morning, which has a huge following in the entrepreneur community, has 6 steps, and while my morning routine does now closely align with that one, it didn’t always.
For years it was only getting up, having quiet time and then getting ready. It built to what it is today. For that reason, I suggest you don’t try to add more than one thing to your current routine at a time. If you currently get up, get ready and run out the door, maybe just add 10 minutes to make coffee and read a couple pages of a book in silence. After a month or two, you can add on.
2. What are those things you wish you had time to do?
Mornings routines are great for adding on those things you wish you could do but just don’t get done once you get swept along in the day. Maybe it’s a hobby you’ve put off, or reading, or learning how to start your own side hustle. Use this time to work on those things.
3. Time these activities.
It may sound really precise, but you do have a time limit to your mornings because you have somewhere you need to be later, so time your activities to make sure they get done. Time them to make sure you move on to what else you need to do in the morning. The interesting thing I’ve noticed is we don’t always need as much time as we think to feel accomplished in our activities – hence my 7 not 10 minutes of reading and writing.
4. Once you do add multiple tasks to your morning, prioritize them.
There are days where I oversleep, or had a late night and know I will wake up later. What stays and what goes from the morning routine? For me, the non-negotiable is quiet time. I’ve done it the longest and it stays even if it gets shortened to 10 minutes. The one that tends to go is working out because I like it the least. Either prioritize your morning routine or figure out a sped up version for those days you do get up later.
5. Give yourself grace.
Every day doesn’t have to be a morning routine day. And you probably will not be perfect at this immediately because it takes time to build routines. Know that going in and if you fall off course from your new routine, try again tomorrow!
I hope this inspires you to take some time back in your day to prioritize your goals and enjoy your morning before the chaos ensues.
Cassandra Thompson is a career consultant and speaker with a strong passion for building relationships both off and online. You can find her at www.cassthompson.com and youtube.com/cassthompsoncareeradvice. She also will drink iced coffee in any kind of weather so please share with her your favorite iced coffee in your city.
