6 Morning Habits to Set Up Each Day for Success

The morning is enormously important.  It’s the foundation from which the day is built.  How we choose to spend our mornings can be used to predict the kinds of days we’re going to have.

If you have ever rolled out of bad in panic of being late for work, your day can’t possibly get any better.

Mindlessly reacting to the demands of your day rather than being intentionally proactive sets up an avalanche of mishaps.

Missed breakfast, running out of gas, coasting through your workday unprepared without truly crossing anything off your to-do list…

 

Then to make it all worse, you decide to skip your evening workout and order some take out. Because what’s a better compliment to finish an already unsuccessful day?

All of this actually lowers your self-esteem and makes you feel worse by the time you get to bed full of anxiety.

So how can you flip the script and take charge of your morning habits to set up each day for success?

As simple as it may sound, you can start by forming healthy habitual behaviors for the morning. That way, you can give yourself a boost and cultivate positive intention no matter what is thrown your way.

 

Here are 6 Morning Habits to Set Up Each Day for Success:

1. MEDITATION

When I first learned about the concept of meditation years ago, it was something I put into “that’s for other people” bucket. It felt very hokey and too “spiritual”, whatever that meant. But as years went by, I realized that there must be something to it. After all, there’s a reason why the world’s most successful people all set up a time to meditate in the morning. Plus, scientific research actually shows that spending time in meditation helps create more grey matter in our brains, which allows for more emotional control, relaxation and ability to handle adversity. Now that’s setting yourself up for a successful day!

Action Steps: Sit cross-legged or lay down and start by experimenting with a 5-15 minute meditation of your choice. Don’t try to “calm your mind”. Instead, appreciate the sensation of your breath. Meditation isn’t about frequency. In the same way you don’t get strong by lifting one giant weight one time, you should try and sit regularly each morning.  

 

 

2. AFFIRMATIONS

Positive affirmations are so much more than just feel good quotes and positive statements. They actually change the language of the brain! When you train your brain to get used to a thought, emotion or behavior, you set yourself up for success.

Your brain reacts to your thoughts in a very literal way so you can use affirmations to attract anything you desire including romance, abundance, positive relationships, better health etc.  

What do affirmations do?

• They motivate and keep the mind focused on the goal.
• They influence the subconscious mind and activate its powers.
• They change the way you think and behave.
• Affirmation statements can make you feel positive, energetic and therefore put you in a better position to transform your inner and external worlds.

Action Steps: Write down everything you want to affirm, and take a few moments each morning to recite those positive words at least three times. Positive affirmations are always in the present tense and only contain positive words. An affirmation example could be as simple as saying “I am creating space for a loving partner to enter my life”, “I am powerful”, “I feel excited for life”, “I feel connected to others” or “I let go of comparison”. Repetition is key to success!

 

3. VISUALIZATIONS

Elite athletes use it. The super-rich use it. And peak performers in all fields now use it. That power is called visualization. Scientists believe that we may experience real-world and imaginary actions in similar ways. Whether we walk down the beach or only picture the sounds of the ocean, we activate many of the same neural networks. That’s why you can use visualization techniques to your advantage.

Using visualization techniques to focus on your goals and desires yields four very important benefits:

• It activates your creative subconscious which will start generating creative ideas to achieve your goal.
• It programs your brain to more readily perceive and recognize the resources you will need to reach your dreams.
• It activates the law of attraction, thereby drawing into your life the people, resources and circumstances you will need to achieve your goals.
• It builds your internal motivation to take the necessary actions to achieve your dreams.

 

 

Action Steps: Write down your goal visualization in detail. This also includes the emotions you would feel if you had already achieved your goals. The more relaxed you are before you start, the better your visualization will go. To succeed in your visualization, you must generate the same feelings and emotions you would have if you had already accomplished your goals. You will no doubt feel joy, pride, success, happiness, wealth, confidence and more.

If you’re having difficulties, imagine being one of your role models who has already achieved your goals. How does it feel? What does he/she experience on the inside? How does it feel to be them?

 

 

4. EXERCISE

There are numerous mental health benefits of exercise and working out first thing in the morning helps you experience those benefits right away. According to science, exercise leads to the secretion of neurotransmitters that promote mental clarity and an improved attention span. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment, as well as rejuvenated and recharged.

Here are exercises you can perform with little to no equipment:

• Squats
• Push ups
• Pull ups
• Dips
• Walking lunges 
• Dumbbell rows
• Planks
• Jumping jacks
• Leg raises

Pick yours and add it to your morning habit routine right now! For more exercise ideas, check out 50 bodyweight moves you can do anywhere.

Action Steps: Pick your exercises (and the amount of repetitions) the night before or settle on one that you will always do. You can change it after a week.

 

5. READING

If you’re one of countless people who don’t make a habit of reading regularly, you might be missing out. Not only does regular reading help make you smarter, but it can actually increase your brain power. Just like going for a jog exercises your cardiovascular system, reading regularly improves memory function by giving your brain a good work out.

Why read in the morning?

Research says your brain cells are the most active during early mornings. After a good night’s rest, the brain is practically kicking to work itself out. Reading will be its morning workout. Think of reading as yoga for your mind. Your brain will easily absorb any new information and remember it. 

The point of reading in the morning is so that you are not only inspired but find yourself disconnected from the world in a "meditative" state. Your concentration levels are much higher at the early times of the day, allowing you to absorb greater amounts of information!

Action Steps: Take 10-20 minutes each morning to engage in your favorite books (set out your books the night before). Make sure to choose only those that hold your attention (like these 5 spiritual books that will shift your life) as some may be better suited as a night read. If you are not a big reader, try finding a fun blog you can enjoy. 

 

6. JOURNALING

Journaling is a priceless tool for self-reflection and self-improvement. Morning journaling can help you in your work, business or private life. It helps to deal with emotions more constructively by getting to the heart of them. Sometimes while writing, you may be able to get clarity on a problem or come up with a solution to an unresolved issue. 

Successful people all over the world—those who consistently make positive changes in their lives—reflect daily and learn from their life experiences. If you want to get somewhere in life, you need a map, and your journal is that map.  

Action Steps: Start with a few questions, like "What do I want to accomplish today?" or "How do I want to feel today?" Devote 5-10 minutes to journaling every morning and don't overthink it. If you’re ready for radical self-improvement fueled by authentic love, this journal is the start. 

 

Final Words:

A morning routine can help you step into the day feeling grounded, focused and more fully present. Now, this doesn't need to be a rigid, lengthy routine that requires rising before dawn; it's all about being in touch with what you need in order to be the best version of yourself that day.

Take 30-60 minutes every morning to complete the following sequence:

• MEDITATION
• AFFIRMATIONS
• VISUALIZATIONS
• EXERCISE
• READING 
• JOURNALING 

 

XOXO,

DC