8 Things Super Successful People Do To Kickstart Their Day
I don’t know about you, but I find the way I start the morning can set the tone for the rest of the day. The phrase “I got up on the wrong side of the bed” is used to describe someone who’s cranky all day long, and with good reason. If you neglect to think about your personal intentions for the day, reflect upon your goals, and practice some form of gratitude, prayer or meditation, you’ll most likely continue to “get up on the wrong side of the bed.”
You may think checking your email, or returning texts before you’ve even tossed back the covers is a power move that helps you get a jump on your day, but you would be wrong. Much like the myth of multi-tasking, jumping into your day before you’ve taken the opportunity to focus yourself intentionally and provide for your well-being ends up hurting your productivity, creativity, and ability to communicate well with those around you.
Perhaps you’re thinking to yourself “Yeah, right. Not with my job, responsibilities, lifestyle.” Maybe you’re concerned that taking the time to change your morning routine will cost precious minutes elsewhere in your day. But if you want to take back the control of your life, achieve your personal goals, and find the key to a less frazzled, rushed and stressed life then begin by incorporating these 8 actions into your morning routine.
Get Your ZZZZ’s
Tweet This7 or more hours of sleep on a regular basis will help you achieve so much more in your life. A proper night’s sleep can help increase memory, focus, creativity, and attention. Sleep plays a crucial role in how your body responds to stress and anxiety. By simply catching the right amount of zzz’s you’ll lower your risk of depression and promote fat loss while increasing muscle mass. There are so many good things that come from getting a decent night’s rest.
Prayer and Meditation
Next, to sleep, a key to making sure you have a productive and fulfilling day is to begin with the positive. Simply put, what you focus on expands and starting your day in gratitude sets a mindset of positivity that will take you in the right direction.
Start Your Blood Pumping
Devote at least 15 minutes in the morning to some physical activity that gets your body moving. Run, do some calisthenics, whatever works for you, but make sure it gets your blood pumping. Not only is this type of exercise beneficial to your physical being, but when you get those endorphins flowing you improve your mood, decrease your risk for depression and anxiety.
You don’t have to start with a marathon. Devote as much time as you can to your morning fitness activity and the payoff will be immediate. And, as the Nike saying goes, just do it.
Fire Up Your Body with Protein
The food with which you fuel your body is critical. Even the most efficient vehicle won’t go anywhere without gasoline. Protein is the optimum fuel for your body in the morning. The 30/30 rule has proven to be the ideal rule to apply to your morning routine. Within 30 minutes of rising, aim to consume 30 grams of protein, and you’ll feel energized as you begin your day.
To get 30 grams of protein, you can have eggs, nut butters, lean meats, or a protein shake. Protein will keep you fuller for a longer period and prevent cravings due to drops in blood sugar. You can say goodbye to the early morning “hangries” that can get in the way of your day.
Take a Cold Shower
You may be a bit skeptical about this one, but try it a few times, and you may prefer it over your morning coffee! A cold shower not only invigorates you and wakes up your senses, but cold water immersion also improves your circulation, your lymphatic system, boosts immunity, and perks up a sluggish metabolism.
Conquering that initial fear of jumping into a cold shower will do some pretty cool things to your motivation as well. You’ll feel inspired by stepping outside of your comfort zone, and that alone can make your morning better.
Commit to Being a Lifelong Learner
Boost your knowledge and open your mind by listening to podcast or reading, books that inspire you to move forward and improve different areas of your life. Choose books that instruct and challenge you and add to your toolbox of knowledge.Reflect on Your Life Goals
Most people can get on board with the idea of lifelong learning, but few commit to making learning a regular part of our lives. Commitment means setting smart goals for what you want to learn, how you plan to go about it, and how long it will take.
Writing down your goals and reviewing them each day helps manifest your intentions in an immense way. When you consider your goals, you take them out of the mental box in which you keep them and put them at the forefront of your mind. In some small way, each activity or thought you have today will push you a little bit closer toward achieving your goal because it is in your head.
Take Action
You know what you have to do each day to feel accomplished, and fulfilled. These may be the hard tasks of the day so get them out of the way early, and you will begin your day with a feeling of accomplishment. So many times we avoid those difficult tasks, promising ourselves we will get to them later, or tomorrow, and it doesn’t happen.
Change the program and do that difficult thing you need to do first thing. Then tomorrow, do it again. Soon enough you’ll begin to feel the sense of achievement before you start your day, rather than that pending sense of failure over what you didn’t do.
Tying It All To Together
I can’t encourage you enough on the importance of a creating a great morning routine, as it will set you up for a successful day and life. In just 30 minutes a day, you can be on your way to a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
With that said, what I shared isn’t for everyone. I experimented with a few different things and figured out what worked for me. What did I miss? What does your unique morning ritual entail? I’d love to hear about your morning routine. Feel free to share your morning schedule in the comments below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tim Crowley, Ph.D.
Motivational Keynote Speaker, Leadership, and Resilience Expert
Dr. Tim Crowley is a well-known speaker with a passion for growing agile leaders, teams, and organizations that produce extraordinary results. For more than 25 years his services have touched the lives of leaders in some of the most recognizable companies in the world. Including AT&T, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ernst & Young, Hallmark, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, Marriot, Microsoft, Nestle-Purina, along with numerous organizations, universities, state and federal agencies.
When not speaking, leading workshops, and blogging he looks for inspiration through mountain biking, volunteering, and spending time with his family and friends. Invite Tim to speak at your next event. You can learn more about Tim and how his services can help you and your team at drtimcrowley.com. Connect with Tim on LinkedIn, Google+, Facebook, and Twitter.
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