“What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” —Ralph Marston
We all have 24 hours in a day. So do all the Fortune 500 CEOs. So does Beyoncé. Our responsibilities have responsibilities.
Do you want to make the most out of your day? Start by empowering your morning! The way you start your day can set the tone for the rest of your day. Therefore, it’s essential to create a morning routine that works for you and fuels your success. You can look at the morning in two ways – something that just happens to you, or an opportunity for you to seize the day. This is the DAOFitLife guide to empowering your morning.
Here are some tips to help you empower your morning and set yourself up for a “high vibration” day.
I was inspired to write this article after reading the book by Liz Plosser, Own Your Morning. And what she says, along with a lot of other great tips, are going to help you own -and be the boss of – your entire day, every day.
Tip #1: Be Prepared and Rested
In order to talk about having a successful morning, we have to rewind. It’s hard to have a successful morning if you didn’t get enough sleep the night before or you’re not prepared for the day ahead. To ensure you’re well-rested, aim to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Additionally, plan ahead for the next day by preparing your outfit, packing your bag, or prepping your breakfast the night before.
If you want to get into the habit of working out early in the morning, follow my “fireman” tip from this article on making time to workout. Lay out your clothes “fireman style” next to your bed, from headband to socks and shoes, so when the alarm goes off, you have no excuses.
Tip #2: Use a “Capsule Wellness” Routine for Busy People
This is YOUR morning. You don’t need to get up at 5pm and drink celery juice then run 6 miles. You don’t even have to exercise! You DO need a routine – or more precisely, a ritual. I call this a “capsule wellness ritual” – in other words, a wellness routine that is unique to you and your morning. By doing the same routine every morning to catalyze your why and find your joy, you will be able to kick butt and have a high vibration day, no matter the time zone, location, or what is going on at work.
Creating a morning capsule ritual can help you streamline your routine and reduce decision fatigue. This way, you don’t have to waste time or mental energy deciding what to wear or eat each morning. Here are some examples of actions that can be part of your capsule wellness ritual:
- Brush teeth
- Wash face
- Cold shower
- Meditation
- Journaling
- Stretching
- Exercising
- Sunlight
- Reading inspo quotes
- Affirmations
- Eating and making breakfast
Remember, you pick activities that YOU feel good about. This is a menu, not a checklist, and if there is something not on this menu, do your own thing. Just make it something you get up and do in a sequential order every morning so that you can start the day with confidence – knowing what you are going to do first thing, and the next thing. If that’s applying your makeup or doing your hair, then let it be that. It doesn’t have to be journaling and bonsai plant trimming. You will only have to remember to put one foot in front of the other.
Tip #3: Time box your wellness ritual
One comment I often hear – Lili, I don’t have the time! The good news is that you can successfully do any of these activities in 5 minutes or less. If you feel pressed for time or just squirmy, you can set a time for 5-10 minutes and when time is up, your morning routine is over!
Time boxing or time blocking will also help you manage your time better in other areas,. To make sure your whole morning is not thrown off by running late, you can set a timer for your wellness routine, doing your hair and makeup, and getting ready to head out the door. Which, if you listened to the tips above, should be easier if you are prepared the night before!
Tip #4: Make conscious contact – with your core values
Another way of looking at this question – what do you reach for? Your phone? Your laptop? If this is your wakeup call, think about it differently. Your key to setting the right vibration for the day is to make conscious contact with your values.
What does that mean? This can be anything that is a certain reminder of the value that you add to the world. When you pick up your phone, you don’t know what is going to be on it. So reach for something you know will remind you of your unique value. It can be an award you won, a journal where you keep track of your accomplishments, a diploma of a degree you worked so hard to get, or even something that reminded you of a difficult thing that you overcame. For example, I have my annulment papers on my bedstand, and I reach for them because in those papers I described for the tribunal how bad things had gotten in my previous marriage – and how scared and despondent I was. I fought my way out of being trapped and scared every day – and because of that, I have faith that I can do anything. (If you want to read more about my story, and how to stay in a healthy relationship, check out my article here):
It can also be a token of your faith. A rosary, a book of your religion or a book of affirmations. Many books combine the two – for example – Around the World by Emmet Fox has a daily passage of reading with the scripture and an uplifting interpretation. For example, this is from December 22:
“The world will take you at your own valuation. Your body will take you at your own valuation. Your business will take you at your own valuain. For the value you put upon yourself is the one that manifests” (interpreting 1 John 3:2)
Emmet Fox. Around the World
And it doesn’t have to be religious, or that serious. Positive affirmations, like from Power Thoughts Meditation Club, are available on my YouTube meditation playlist:
It can also be a feel-good song, anything that makes you want to get up on dance. For me, it is David Bowie!
Tip #5: Start with Igniting Your Why
Before you get out of bed, take a few minutes to remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. What is your purpose, and what are your goals? This reminder can help you feel more motivated and energized to tackle the day ahead.
My article on Igniting your Why gives you the blueprint to finding and reaffirming your purpose!
Invest in Your Well-being Early
The way you take care of yourself in the morning can have a significant impact on your overall well-being. Here are some habits to consider incorporating into your morning routine:
- Don’t Snooze: As tempting as it is to hit the snooze button, it can actually make you feel more groggy and disoriented. Instead, aim to wake up at the same time every day to create a consistent sleep pattern.
- Hydrate: Drinking water first thing in the morning can help rehydrate your body after a night’s sleep. It can also boost your metabolism and help you feel more awake.
- Meditate: Spending just a few minutes meditating can help you clear your mind and reduce stress. It can also help you feel more focused and centered.
- Gravitate: Surround yourself with positivity in the morning. Spend time with loved ones, listen to uplifting music or podcasts, or read inspiring literature.
- Invigorate: Exercise can help wake you up and energize you for the day ahead. Even a short walk or yoga routine can make a significant difference in how you feel.
Delay the Dopamine
The world is full of distractions that can steal your attention and derail your productivity. Here are some things to consider delaying until later in the day:
- Caffeine: While caffeine can give you a quick boost of energy, it can also disrupt your natural energy levels and make you feel anxious or jittery. Try delaying your first cup of coffee until mid-morning.
- Social Media: Scrolling through social media can be a time suck that drains your energy and productivity. Try waiting until after breakfast or even until lunchtime to check your social media feeds.
- Hard News: The news can be overwhelming and stressful, which can impact your mood and productivity. Consider waiting until later in the day to catch up on current events.
- No Emails Until Noon: Constantly checking your email can disrupt your workflow and cause unnecessary stress. Try waiting until after you’ve completed your most critical tasks before checking your email.
Swallow the Frog
Mark Twain famously said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” In other words, tackle your most challenging task first thing in the morning to get it out of the way. You can read more about how to effectively manage morning and during the day tasks in my post on the DAO of Getting Things Done and my Companion post on emails:
