6 morning habits to make you more successful
Getting up in the morning can be difficult. When the alarm goes off it can be tempting to press snooze for just 10 more minutes. But what if getting up earlier and implementing morning habits could make you more successful? Would you do it?
Mornings are a great way to take control of your day. By introducing morning habits and getting up early allows you to start the day well and ensures you to find time for yourself where you won’t get distracted. As Laura Vanderkam outlines in her book, before breakfast distractions are reduced as after that meal you can likely get distracted easily by work and therefore, can’t focus on yourself. These distractions can increase the higher up the career ladder too as more people depend on you and need your support.
Here are 6 morning habits to add into your routine:
1. Wake up an hour earlier
By waking up earlier and allocating that time for yourself, you can focus on aspects of your life that you want to improve or concentrate on. If you leave that time for when you have finished your work, likelihood is that you will be less motivated to do so as your focus is elsewhere, or new tasks arise.
If you struggle to wake up early or often find yourself searching for the snooze button, a key tip to waking up early is the preparation the night before. By setting yourself up for an early night and organising yourself for the next day before you go to sleep, the chances are you will have a better night’s sleep and will have fewer decisions in the morning. This will allow you to focus on just getting up and out of bed.
2. Set yourself a task before breakfast
Setting yourself a task to complete before breakfast is a great way to start your day. By completing your tasks first thing can impact the rest of your day. Firstly, it creates a positive mindset as you have already accomplished something before the rest of the world has woken up. Secondly, as you have already completed them, you are no longer thinking about them and therefore remain more focused on the tasks in front of you.
3. Do some morning exercise
A morning workout can be a great way to get you raring to go for the day ahead. Not only does it provide you with the physiological benefits, but it can also provide you with psychological benefits. Breaking a sweat in the morning will fill your body with endorphins. That sense of accomplishment will make you feel great and improve your mood. Additionally, morning exercise can increase focus and decision making, setting you up for the day.
4. Read a book
Reading is often an activity associated with holidays, relaxation or when you have spare time. However, it is also a great activity to do in everyday life. Picking up a book is a good way to learn new things and accelerate personal growth. From business books to self-help books, reading in the morning can be a fantastic way to get you inspired and motivated for the day. If you have read something you like, why not try and implement it into your day too!
5. Write down your affirmations
Affirmations are positive statements that can help you to overcome any negative thoughts. These can be written down or spoken out loud. By using affirmations, you can transform the way you think, build confidence, and achieve the goals you challenged yourself.
When thinking about your affirmations, try to ask yourself these questions as proposed by Hal Elrod
- What are you committed to?
- Why is that deeply meaningful to you?
- Affirm, what specifically are you committed to doing that will ensure your success?
- When are you specifically committed to completing those activities?
For example, I will make 5 new connections on LinkedIn by reaching out to people by the end of the month.
6. Take time to meditate
Meditation can be a great way to relax the mind before a busy working day. Whether you follow a guided meditation through an app, such as Headspace, or take 5 to 10 minutes to allow yourself to absorb the silence. There are many benefits to meditation. With repeated practice, it can help to reduce stress and job-related anxiety. Taking time in the morning can help you to approach these tasks with a clear head.
Getting up earlier is not about creating more time, it is about using your time more effectively so you can accomplish and meet your goals to help you become more successful. Implementing these 6 morning habits will set you up for a positive and more efficient day ahead.
If you are looking for ways to help you plan and achieve your goals, then take a look at our recent blog post.
Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest jobs, news and industry insights
