Now, I know those are pretty wild claims…
But I can honestly say, starting my day with a morning routine has had the the single biggest impact on my life compared with anything else I’ve tried.
And it’s not just me that thinks this way…
You may well have listened to the recent podcast with Jennifer Aniston and how she feels her morning routine sets her up for a happier day.
And pretty much every successful person I’ve spoken to or listened to, start their day with a morning routine to get them on track for the rest of the day.
However, I’m not a believer in doing something just because it works for others…
I like to try things out for myself…
And do it my way!
So, when I set up my morning routine, I tried it for a few days and then, over a period of a few weeks, tweaked it and played around with it, until I really started to feel the benefits.
Now, what works for me, won’t necessarily work for you, but here are the 7 Steps that make up my morning routine…
Use this as a starting place for creating your own routine…
Then play around with it, until you find what works for you.
Step 1 – Go to bed earlier!
OK, so that’s not strictly part of the morning routine, but if you don’t get to bed earlier, you won’t be able to get up earlier and still get enough sleep!
Step 2 – Get Up at 5:30 (1 hour before the rest of the family get up!)
This is key. My morning routine is for me, not anyone else. And this time to myself is important, not only to get my day started on the right track, but also to show that I care about myself.
Step 3 – Ablutions
Throw some cold water on my face, drink some water and do… well… what everyone has to do first thing in the morning!
Step 4 – Read
Mostly, for me, it’s something from The Bible or another spiritual book. But sometimes I’ll read a section from a self-development book. Anything that helps me grow.
Step 5 – Meditate
10-15 minutes of meditation is an essential part of my morning routine. This took some time to get used to, but would now be the last thing I’d remove. There are plenty of good apps out there to try out before you buy.
Step 6 – Exercise
For me, this is simply a 10-15 minute walk or some Tai Chi. But, depending on your fitness level, you could incorporate anything you like… just make sure you get medical advice before trying anything to strenuous!
Step 7 – Shower
I start with a cold shower and then finish with a warm one. I think I’m just a bit soft, so I have to warm myself up after the cold shower! You can skip the cold shower, if you like, but there are definite health benefits and it certainly livens me up!
OK, there you have it.
There are massive benefits to incorporating a morning routine into your life…
But the only way to find out is to try it out for yourself…
And play around with it until you find something that works for you.
Give it a go…
You won’t regret it!