10 MORNING ROUTINES THAT INCREASE PERFORMANCE AND PEACE
There is a lot of focus these days on the importance of morning routines to optimize performance. These morning routines are especially good for working women who struggle with finding quiet moments to themselves. By winning the morning through morning rituals, your day is shown to have more focused intention, an increase in performance and more peace. Whether you choose to do just a few of these morning routines or all of them, focus on progress, not perfection. Consider these to be “microsteps” – small behavior changes that cumulatively make a big difference in how you think and feel throughout your day.
MORNING ROUTINE #1 – ESTABLISH SACRED TIME
Make your morning time “sacred time.” Until your morning routine is complete each day, don’t let other people fill up your time. The worst habit is to roll over and check your email. Leave your phone in another room to charge overnight. If you are not an early bird, try waking up just 15 minutes earlier each day until you’ve given yourself the proper amount of sacred time for you to feel good about the way you start each morning.
MORNING ROUTINE #2 – SET BOUNDARIES
I have a lot of friends over the years who would not allow their kids to come into their bedroom until the sun was up. And it worked. Consistency is key to establishing this practice as a family. And I’m a big fan of explaining to kids WHY it’s important for you to have this time for yourself. For work, avoid scheduling or accepting meetings that start before 9 a.m. at the office.
MORNING ROUTINE #3 – GET FRESH AIR
If possible, especially in warmer months, open your windows and let fresh air come in. Better yet, put on your tennis shoes and got out for a morning walk with the dogs. Being in fresh air opens your lungs, awakens your senses and clears your mind. This is one of Marie Kondo’s favorite morning tips. For more on Marie’ morning routine, click here.
MORNING ROUTINE #4 – STRETCH
Start your morning with full body stretching to get your blood flowing and increase your energy level. If you want to stretch while laying in bed, try this more simple and gentle stretching routing. For a little more challenging and advanced stretching routine, try this.
MORNING ROUTINE #5 – HYDRATE
Your body is in a state of slight dehydration when you wake up so give it what it needs. Pour a 20 ounce glass or try a new product that I just discovered and love, called Liquid IV which hydrates the body 2-3 times faster and more efficiently. Water helps increase digestion and fend off cravings during the mid-morning.
MORNING ROUTINE #6 – MAKE THE BED
For as much of a neat freak as I’ve always been, I have never been a bed maker until this year (49 years young). Jeff and I start each day making the bed – primarily because it’s on the main floor in direct traffic flow all day. Every day we finish with a “we won the morning” affirmation and a high five. I have to say, it’s quite satisfying!
MORNING ROUTINE #7 – DEVOTION
I start with a journal reading from Journey to The Heart by Melody Beattie which has sold over 1,000,000 copies. I first discovered this when my yoga instructor read from it at the end of a class. This is a great gift for a girlfriend or family member and can be purchased here on Amazon. I follow that short reading by reading one chapter in the Bible and alternate between the Gospels and the book of Psalms. This takes no more than 10 minutes, and sets up a positive mindset for the day.
MORNING ROUTINE #8 – GRATITUDE
I start with two journal prompts each morning: 3 things I am grateful for and my daily focus. When starting out, three things did not always flow, but I have to say after a few weeks of gratitude for the big and little things in life, your mind starts to notice and be grateful for the small things throughout the day. Last week I was grateful for the stillness of the lake or the warmth and love of my dog laying on my chaise lounge with me.
MORNING ROUTINE #9 – INTENTION
One of my favorite sayings from Leading at the Speed of Trust training by the Covey organization is that “declaring your intention is one of the fastest ways to build trust.” Learning to set an intention for ourselves and then bring that intention to life each day helps us to trust ourselves more. Trusting ourselves on the small things allows us to trust ourselves on bigger things – and take more risks.
MORNING ROUTINE #10 – WRITE DOWN 10 DREAMS YOU MAKE HAPPEN AND THE GOAL YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH FIRST
Rachel Hollis (one of our favorite WCW) and author of Girl, Wash your Face and her recently released, Girl, Stop Apologizing shares a practice of writing down your 10 dreams each day as if they have already happened and the goal you will accomplish first. Watch this video for a further explanation and for some start the day motivation!
For more great suggestions on morning routines, check out these books on Amazon:
What Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam
My Morning Routine by Benjamin Spall and Michael Xander
Daily Rituals – How Artists Work by Mason Curry
----------
COACHING
Want to live your purpose and create a thriving career or business you love? Need more support and accountability to make it all happen? Hire Tricia as your coach: www.thrive-her.com/4sessions
SPEAKING
Looking for your next speaker for your business resource group, conference or event? Email Tricia at [email protected]
FREE WEEKLY TRAINING
Become a Thrive-Her insider and get free weekly training delivered to your mailbox each Thursday morning, click here to subscribe at www.thrive-her.com/join
COURSES
Pinpoint Your Purpose - design a life worth living, fueled by your purpose. In this course you will pinpoint your purpose, discover your strengths and create a vivid vision for your future. www.thrive-her.com/purpose
The Next Level - for the ambitious woman who is ready to level up - create your career vision, communicate your value with confidence and build a vibrant community of support to take your career or business to the next level! www.thrive-her.com/the-next-level