Some of the most successful people claim that their morning routine helps set the tone for their day. While most of us like hitting the snooze a few times each day.

So how do you get started? Below I’ve included several of my favorite tips to help you master your mornings and begin living the life that you have always imagined.

Get out of bed already! I know, I know, this is easier said than done. The most helpful tip I have come across for avoiding the snooze is the “5 Second Rule” by Mel Robbins. It can be applied to anything you tend to talk yourself out of but getting up is by far the most common reason I recommend it. I simply count “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” and then yell “GET UP!” at myself. I promise you, it works!

Do NOT turn to electronics! Our brains are running ninety to nothing 24/7 because of the age of information we live in. One of the reasons we deal with such stress, anxiety, and depression nowadays is we never allow our minds to just be. Take 5-10 minutes to just sit in silence. Meditate. Pray. Breath. Be STILL.

Speak life over your day! I start my day with positive affirmations that declare what I am working towards already being in existence. For example, “I am a wonderful mother! Loving & patient; present in my girls’ lives.” This was NOT spoken over myself this morning, and it became evident with my explosive action over a piece of clothing.

Get your mind right! In addition to the above mentioned which will help with the state of your mind, personal development is a non-negotiable for me. Whether it’s in the form of a few pages out of a book or listening to a motivational video off of You Tube while getting ready, I start my day with something positive/encouraging that will help me get through the not so great moments of the day moving forward.

Break a sweat! Even 10 minutes of heart-pumping activity at the beginning of your day can have a significant impact on how you think and feel moving forward. The increased blood flow/oxygenation helps your body and brain “wake up” leading to a clearer mental state as well as the confidence boost that comes with consistent physical activity.

Put your thoughts on paper! Another tip inspired by Mel Robbins is the “Brain Dump.” This has been a game changer for me especially since I struggle with anxiety and the overwhelm that can come with it. Before you start your day (or anytime during it), write everything that is floating around in your mind down on paper. Prioritize what is important and what isn’t then pick 3 things that you would like to focus on accomplishing that day. Anything extra is bonus!

Plan your week before it starts! This is a tip to help you maximize your time in the morning. Take 30 minutes a week (typically over the weekend) to plan out your week ahead. Block off things that are constant such as workouts, school drop offs, etc in colors that you can recognize at a glance then fill in the rest. This allows you to see how much time you have to accomplish the things you want to focus on.

Track your progress! When first making changes to your morning routine, it can be downright HARD! After all, these habits didn’t pop up overnight so you can’t expect to break them overnight. Make a note of what time you got up, what you did with that time, and how you felt the rest of the day. Were you more productive? Calmer? Closer to the person you want to be? Celebrate that and keep on going!

Resources:

“The Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod 

“The 5 Second Rule” by Mel Robbins