I was recently reading a section in Success Magazine that featured a piece on what successful people do in the first hours of the day. There were some great tips that included meditation and waking up at the crack of dawn and jotting down your most creative ideas while sitting in a beautiful study or garden. All great inspirational stuff except… My mornings don’t look like that because I’m not a gazillionaire!
My wife and I both work our butts off, we live in a modest home and we are raising a baby. In other words, our life is…well…“normal”. I don’t claim to be as cool and famous as the folks featured in the magazine, but I am successful, damn it! I thought it would make sense to share some the things I’ve learned and integrated into my morning routine over the years. Here are 5 of my favorites, pick a few that that work in your busy life.
1) Get active
Consider walking the dogs or going on a 15 minute run in the morning. Exercise gets the heart pumping, focuses the mind, and helps loosen up stiff muscles and joints. (I ain’t in my 30’s anymore!) Exercise also decreases cortisol, a stress hormone, and increases the release of serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, all of which make make you feel good and help you think more clearly. (No caffeine crash either)
2) Email is the devil
Wait 60 minutes BEFORE you open your first email. I’m serious, resist the urge to check your email. Use that time to focus on the things that are important to accomplish that day. For example, I use that time to work on something that requires me to be creative (Like writing this article). If I instead wonder over to my email; what better way for someone to wreck my productivity than opening an unwelcomed “urgent message” in my inbox. My solution- I don’t open email first thing in the morning. (Tip: To help create the habit, start by waiting 15 minutes, 30, 45, then eventually 60!)
3) Write it down
Spend at least 15 minutes in the morning writing down the most important thing you want to do that will help move the needle towards your success. Once you identify your daily focus, write down what actions you need to take during the day to make it happen. Put it in writing and some place where you can see it throughout your day.If your day blows up like mine does from time to time, glancing at that paper really helps you get back on track when things eventually slow down.
4) Have a meaningful conversation
Talk to your significant other or call a friend in the morning. This article actually sprang from a conversation my wife and I had this morning. Spending even just 15 minutes conversing with her is helpful in reconnecting, brainstorming, hearing about new ideas or just gaining perspective on things. We make it a point to have some sort of morning conversation even if one of us is on the road. We also purposefully put an upbeat spin on the conversation so it starts our day on a positive note.
5) Positively brainwashed
Read or listen to at least 15-30 minutes of “brain training” everyday to help get juices flowing. I am always looking for ways to get better at what I do and many of my ideas spring from what I feed my head. Want to feel pumped up, energized, and focused BEFORE you go into work? Who doesn’t? Dont have time to read either, consider listening to a motivational CD or podcast on your way to work. Periodicals like Success Magazine, Fast Company, and Inc. Magazine are a great resource for suggested readings and feature great authors on varying topics including; money making, mindset, productivity, time management, the list goes on and on. Find an author you like and read or download away!
Most of us lead normal lives but that doesn’t mean we can’t have extraordinary success. Being crunched for time is part of everyday living. These tips are easy to implement and only require a few minutes a day. Create your own morning shots of success for refocusing, rejuvenating and reviving your life and career!
