The Importance of a Morning Routine

I have a thing for routines. Like, an obsession…I blame my sun and moon in Capricorn.

A few years ago, I became obsessed with creating a perfect morning routine that would increase my productivity. I researched some of the most successful people in the world, and I made a list of their morning habits.

I compiled the list into three simple habits that successful people do daily and others do occasionally.

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Getting up on time

And “on time” is not necessarily “early.” Every highly successful person wakes up at a different time and has a different routine. Success does not come from getting up early; it's found in getting up on time. Have you ever planned to get up at 6 in the morning, make it to the gym, do a couple of chores, and have a hearty breakfast before heading off to work? And inevitably, when 6 A.M. rolls around, you hit the snooze button (just once). And all of a sudden, it is 8 A.M., and you’re scrambling to get to work on time.

It’s a tale as old as time.

Success is lost in the snooze button  

Prepare the night before, and go to bed early.

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Physical exercise

There is a significant amount of research demonstrating the parallels between exercise and cognitive performance at all times of the day; however, exercising in the morning has the added benefit of fewer distractions.

Research also shows it leads to healthier choices throughout the day.

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Mental Activity

Priming your brain before you leave your home will immensely help you throughout the day.

This can include journaling, meditating, reading, breathing exercises, or a gratitude list. 

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Make it your own

No two routines are identical, and they shouldn’t be. That’s the fun of it. Enjoy cultivating your routine and finding what works best for you. Carve out time for yourself to establish what you want in your life, and then, commit to it. I believe that the key to having successful days, months, and years begins by practicing and embracing a structured morning routine.