The alarm goes off… I hit it once, I hit it twice, and “shit is it going off again!?”
“I thought I turned that damn thing off!”
“What the hell do I need to wake up for?”
“I am sooooooo tired.”
“I wish I could sleep in for another 3 hours, maybe 4, maybe the rest of the day.”
In today’s world you hear more and more about getting up early and how early risers are super productive. Although, I do agree that getting planning your morning is important, I disagree that you have to get up at the ass crack of dawn.
So what time should I get up? Get up anytime you want as long as you give yourself time for a morning routine.
Let me get this straight and answer a question that might bother you right now:
“But I have been told my whole life that I sleep too much, and that I should stop being a night owl!” 🙁 Notice how you are pouting when you say this… STOP.
It is just life—you eat, you drink, you breathe, you sleep, and you die. OK time to stop being pouty and start to be motivated. Maybe your friends or coworkers get up early because that is what they like, or maybe it’s because that is how they have always done it. If one of your friends got a chimpanzee as a pet would you follow their lead and get a gorilla? (Notice one uping someone is always more fun) I am assuming your answer is NO…unless you are crazy.
Over and over again, business icons and motivational speakers alike have talked about the power of morning routines. I myself follow a relatively strict routine: work out, read/listen to something that will improve my life, and journal.
The time you wake up does not matter. Let me say that again—THE TIME YOU WAKE UP DOESN’T MATTER. It is the routine that you have that will be the “rudder of your day”. Just like a boat, your morning routine is a rudder that will guide you to the best, or in some cases worst, day of your life.
How do I set up a morning routine?
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Start with a hydration and vegetation.
YES you are not a kid anymore: That means that you cannot wake up and eat a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch and expect to be high energy for the rest of the day. (No matter how good it tastes) If you don’t believe me check out this article on how food affects your mood. Crazy right! The goal here is to eat something that will energize you for the rest of the day.
First, start with a large glass of water. The body consists of 50%-75% water! After a long night of no hydration, your body needs water.Often people are exhausted in the morning or at work. The result: they go straight to drinking coffee. What they don’t realize is that dehydration can cause fatigue similar to the lack of sleep.
Second, get some food in your stomach. I know some people think they are not breakfast people. MAKE YOURSELF A BREAKFAST PERSON. Below are some items that you may consider:
- Oatmeal- Whole grain and good fiber, where can you go wrong?
- Fruit and Veggie Smoothie- Adding greens to your smoothie is a great way to eat those veggies that you don’t like and get the nutrition you need to sustain energy throughout the day.
- Eggs- Although high in cholesterol, studies show that eggs in moderation are not bad for your diet. Eggs are a quick and easy way to fill up in the morning.
Tip: Crack two eggs in a microwave safe bowl, microwave for 3 minutes and there you go, instant eggs!
- Protein Shake- Although not natural, a protein shake is a great way to fill up in the morning on the run. Add this to a piece a fruit, such as an apple and you have a quick and easy breakfast. My favorite: Paleo Protein. This protein is all natural and tastes great!
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Get active.
Run. Lift. Yoga. Jumping Jacks. Who cares, just exercise!
This has two benefits:
First, you will get in better shape. Being in better shape will boost health and confidence. Can’t go wrong there. The funniest thing about exercise is that nearly 80% of Americans don’t do it! It is like telling something that you have a proven method that is 100% successful. There response “No Thanks, YOLO!”
Second, you will wake up. Exercise will increase the blood flow in your body and boost your metabolism, leaving you feeling great throughout the day. That tired feeling you have when you wake up will quickly dissipate. All it takes is the first step.
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Reflect
What are you thankful for today? What are your dreams? What are your aspirations? Start asking these questions and you will be amazed with the answers. Reflection is an important part of understanding who you are, and who you want to become. The critical part of reflection is using it to gain a positive attitude about where your life is going, and becoming a better version of yourself every day.
Take your reflections and write them down. When you are having a great day, write it down. The moments that you are clearest on your goals are rare. Documenting those times will help you reflect when you are having a bad day. I always look back to my clearest days when I am feeling “off”. This brings me motivation, and gets me back on track to meeting my goals.
Also, reflect on your day, week, month, and year. If you are keeping track of each time you make a change in your life, than you can reflect on the past. Than you can have the bright future you want! I know what you’re thinking… “There is no way I will have time for this!” The real question you have to ask is “if I don’t have time to improve, what do I have time for?” It only will take 5 minutes a day. Let me put that into perspective- you have 1,440 minutes in a day and 5 minutes out of 1,440 is only .35% of your day! NO EXCUSES
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Learn
Life is about self development. Think about it, ever since you were a child you have been improving on your skills. Every moment is an opportunity for you to become a better YOU, and the morning should be no different. Reading in the morning will engage your mind to have new and intriguing ideas throughout the day. Now, I am not talking about reading 40 Shades of Grey, Harry Potter, or any other fiction book. Not that they are bad, and I am not knocking your favorite books! You need to read about how to improve yourself. No matter what age, everyone has an opportunity to learn something new every day. My secret: Podcasts and Audio Books. Especially on a long drive, listening to Podcasts and Audio Books is a great way to get in some learning before the day starts. I also listen when working out. Why not improve your brain while you improve your body!
Next you wake up I want you to think about this article and all your friends who have told you to wake up early. Does it really matter that they woke up earlier than you, especially when they did not get a good breakfast, exercise, reflect, or improve upon themselves before starting their day? Imagine starting your day knowing that you have already accomplished more than most people accomplish in a week…. Yea you will feel like a champion.
“Either you run the day, or the day runs you” – Jim Rohn
What does your morning routine look like?
Dave
