To create a routine for yourself requires willpower, accountability, and self-discipline. If you want to make a change in your daily life, you have to decide to change things you are doing. Starting your day off with healthy and productive habits will set you up for success. Follow these tips to create a routine that keeps you sharp and gets you focused for the day.
Wake up at the same time every day
Waking up at the same time every day keeps your routine the same from the start. If you sleep in until different hours of every day, your body is less likely to adapt to a routine. Getting up at the same time every day allows your circadian rhythm to stabilize, which improves productivity and decreases the chances of sleep deprivation. Some other benefits of waking up at a fixed time are reduced caffeine dependence, improved alertness, sharper focus, brighter mood, less irritability, better job performance, and so much more. Starting your day with a task as simple as making a conscious decision to overcome your body in its natural tendency to stay in bed will ensure you begin your day with self-discipline.
Relax your mind
Easing your way into the day is key to not overwhelming yourself first thing in the morning. Meditation can reduce stress, improve your ability to focus, and boost your creativity, which can set you up for success first thing in the morning. Performing a calming ritual can bring attention and awareness to anything you want, to achieve a clear and emotionally calm state of mind. It can help you prepare for any stress the day may bring, accept the things you cannot change, and visualize how your hard work and sacrifices will benefit you in the long run. When you take time every morning to create a stable state, you are in control of your day. The hard work you put in every day will be more enjoyable because you will realize the value of your actions.
Move your body
Moving your body and getting your blood pumping is essential to living a healthy lifestyle. It can boost your mood and help you sleep better at night while having a positive impact on your skin and overall health. Working out in the morning is sure to set the mood for your day and helps you feel more productive and motivated. Whether you are going on a morning walk, practicing some yoga, or hitting the gym for some weight lifting/cardio, any physical activity to get your body moving first thing in the morning is always a good idea.
Devote time for self-learning
To continuously learn/develop skills and seek new information is key to success. Devote time out of your morning to do some self-learning. Read a book or watch tutorials on something you’ve always wanted to learn. Using your brain in the morning will keep you sharp and get you in the right mindset to focus for the rest of the day. The more self-learning you do, the more knowledge you build up, and you know what they say — knowledge is power.
Plan your day
Hold yourself accountable by planning out your day. Spend a portion of your morning creating a (reasonable) to-do list, and check those things off as you go. Every task you check off will leave you feeling productive and motivated to finish the rest. Be sure not to overwhelm yourself with tasks you know won’t get done that day — setting yourself up for failure will inevitably lead you there.
Accomplish the most important task first
Going along with the last tip, look at your to-do list and decide what the most important or difficult task is. If nothing is holding you back, get it done first. Completing the biggest, hardest, and most important task first thing in the morning will make the rest of your day feel like a breeze. You will feel more relaxed about the rest of the stuff you have to do because you will have already completed the most difficult thing on your list.
Creating a routine that holds you accountable will lead you to success. These activities are all easily avoidable, but making the conscious decision to wake up and complete them is what strengthens your willpower. If you have strong willpower you can do anything you put your mind to, which falls hand in hand with getting focused and staying on track.