How to Start The Best Morning Routine to Stay Productive at Work
How to Start The Best Morning Routine to Stay Productive at Work
By Nukhba Khan
How would it feel to wake up energized and pumped in the mornings?
The kind of energy that gets you inspired and ready to take action. The kind of energy that puts a smile on your face. The kind of energy that takes out the dread of going to work.
It would feel awesome, right? Here is the good news, you can absolutely have this ‘feel-good’ start to your day if you have a morning routine.
Why Having a Morning Routine is Important
If that mini-visualization did not convince you, then let me play the devil’s advocate and ask you a couple of questions.
These questions will help you realize why you MUST have a morning ritual practice.
Do you want to have more control over the kind of day you have?
If you rush in the mornings to get ready for work, it will start your morning frazzled. You will begin the day feeling you are never on top of things.
Heightened morning stress can make the simplest of tasks seem hard. And this stress will make the whole experience of getting ready and going to work feel extremely painful, even before you get to work.
But having structured mornings can take out that stress and worry. A morning routine will help you get organized to do all the things that need to get done but without the pressure. Allowing you to feel more relaxed from the get-go. And guess what? Feeling relaxed and happy in the mornings will raise your motivation and productivity levels for the day.
Do you want undisturbed ‘ME’ time?
You know those super successful people who achieve so much and leave us wondering how the heck do they have so much time and energy. These ‘successful’ people have one thing in common: they start their day early and value the solitude that early mornings offer.
Having ‘morning me time’ helps you to:
- Relax, unwind and decompress, i.e., feel happier,
- Reflect on what’s happening in your inner-world,
- Declutter your mind to increase concentration,
Yup, a little morning routine can be transformational for your work and life.
So are you ready to start this healthy habit?
How to Start the Best Morning Routine
The irony is that even when you know the benefits of having a morning routine, you still can’t find the motivation to start this new habit. (It happens with other good habits, too!).
Why is that? The answer is simple. You need to know your ‘WHY.’
You need to have a reason why you are willing to wake up a little earlier (and give up on some sleep).
So before moving, let’s pause to define your ‘WHY’: why do you want to have a morning routine?
Or schedule some time when you can work on it. (Yes! Put it on your calendar right away; otherwise, it will never happen).
Here are a few prompts to help you get started:
What do you want to accomplish? These can be big or small goals.
What kind of a person do you want to be?
In ten years, what do you want to say about your life?
Now Define Your Why:
How will a morning routine help you on your journey to achieving your goals - things you want to accomplish, the person you want to be, and the life you want to live.
The Must-Haves for A Success Morning Routine
Everyone’s morning routine is different.
Morning routines differ for many reasons, such as work hours, the type of person you are, and what you fancy. That is why you can’t replicate someone else’s routine and think that it will work perfectly for you too. You have to figure out what works for you by trying and testing different practices.
Here are some essential elements you need to keep in mind when building your routine.
1. Consistency is Key
You have to wake up at the same time every morning. So pick a realistic time that fits your schedule.
2. Morning Routine Must-Haves
Every morning routine must include the P.O.W.E.R.
Note: This POWER hour is not my concept or idea but belongs to Devon Bandison - a coach, author, and speaker. I came across this idea on his blog, and it has been life-changing for my morning routine.
Peace: Quiet time for meditation, expression of gratitude, observing your thoughts and emotions - giving yourself the gift of your own attention.
Openness: Be open and journal what feelings, thoughts, emotions are coming up. What is that inner voice or intuition wanting to say, and what intentions do you want to make for the day.
What & why: Ask yourself these 2 questions and include them in your journal: What do I need to do today? Why do I need to do these things?
Exercise: I like to call this movement. This can be a cardio workout or yoga or simple stretching, or absolutely any form of physical activity. But your morning needs some exercise.
Reading: Take time to read something that stimulates/motivates you for the day. Or, if you prefer listening, you can listen to a podcast for your daily inspiration.
3. Trial & Error
Starting a morning routine takes time and discipline. So if waking up at 5 am is impossible, start with a more doable time. Even an extra 10-15 mins before the chaos of the day kicks in, is a good start.
Also, You have to try different routines to figure out what works for you. Don’t lose hope if something doesn’t work or it’s too hard. Switch things around.
And if you are just starting, don’t try to add everything all at once. Focus on one habit at a time. For example, start with journaling, add in meditation, and then maybe exercise.
Remember, it’s a practice. You have to find what works for you. And, over time, this practice will become a routine.
The Best Morning Routine Exercises
Here are some ideas to get you started in planning and experimenting with your morning routine.
Hydration:
Yummy H2O
Cleansing warm water with lemon
Reinvigorating warm water with Apple Cider Vinegar
Calming Herbal Tea
Immune-Boosting Ginger and Turmeric Water
Mindfulness:
Self-discovery journaling: Notice your thoughts and write them down. Or write about anything you want: what you are feeling, what you are thinking, or going through. This is a great way to raise self-awareness.
Don’t forget to download this free resource, 5-Steps to Become a Happier You at Work. This workbook includes guided steps for self-discovery and reflection, a perfect morning routine activity.
Gratitude: Write about all the things you are grateful for in your life.
Intention Journaling: Write down what you need to focus on for the day and why you need to focus on it.
Meditating: This can be 3 minutes or 30 minutes. You can use apps like Headspace and Calm. Whatever you fancy.
Breath-work: Practice releasing and letting go of unwanted energy, feelings, thoughts through breathing exercises.
You can try the Wim Hof Method. (It’s my fav)
Or simple mindful breathing that involves breathing consciously and systematically is perfect.
Getting Motivated:
Read your affirmations,
Listen to a podcast or TedX talk,
Read a blog or an article,
Read inspiring quotes and pick one for the day,
If you have time, work on a side project, something you love doing.
Movement:
Active exercising, long or short, easy or hard, whatever works for you and gets the heart pumping, and sweat dripping.
Stretching. Simple stretches or yoga or pilates
Use a foam roller to loosen the stress in your muscles.
Dancing to your favorite tune that pumps you up. (My fav!)
Get outside for a walk. It is very nourishing for your mind and soul.
The Best Morning Routine Tips
Plan your morning routine the night before. We all know that when decisions are to be made, the option to do nothing comes into the equation. So plan ahead, remove the decision-making step and jump right into the action.
Check your phones after your morning routine is completed. Refrain from reaching for your phone first thing in the morning. I get it! It is tempting to check emails or scroll through social platforms as soon as you open your eyes. But doing so can negatively affect your mood, raise stress levels, disrupt your calm and productivity for the rest of your day.
Final Thoughts on The Best Morning Routine
A morning routine helps you get grounded before the chaos of the day begins and sets the right tone for the day.
Morning routine gives you time to reflect and check in on yourself and raise awareness of what you are going through to manage yourself and your life more effectively.
A morning routine helps you nurture the right mindset for the day.
Ultimately, morning routines help to lift your mood and inspire you to be your best self that day.
When you show up at work as your best self, your efficiency and productivity are maximized for the day.
That means you accomplish more in less time and have more free time to enjoy your life.
Now how can you say no to that? Right?
So get started planning and experimenting with your morning routine and watch your life transform, one morning at a time.
😘
P.S. Need guided steps for a self-reflection exercise?
Download this free guide with 5-steps for reflecting and discovering what is holding you back from being happy at work.
A perfect exercise for your morning routine!
Download and enjoy.
MEET NUKHBA
Hey there, I am Nukhba, a Life Transformation Coach and Mindset Mentor.
I coach women in high-demand careers how to tackle and better manage their work stressors and self-doubts so they can confidently start to enjoy work and restore a sense of calm in their lives.
I know too well that if your work-life is not a happy place, it becomes challenging to be content outside of work also, and chances are you start to hate your life.
I believe we all have the power to live life with more ease and joy.
This blog serves as a space for all things balance, personal empowerment, upgrading habits & beliefs, happier lifestyle and more.