The morning sets the tone for the day and what you do first thing after waking up can be the difference between just another day or a highly successful day that is extremely productive.
What is your current morning routine? Do you do the same thing every day or do you wing it? Figuring out a routine that works for you can really make a huge difference in what you are able to accomplish on a daily basis.
Here are some morning rituals of successful entrepreneurs that might give you some ideas. Give them a try and see if they help you start the day off on the right foot.
1. Get a workout in before the work day starts.
“Physical exercise is such an important part of the day, but many people simply can’t sit it in. I have found that setting aside time in the early morning allows me to fit it in, but I also start the day fully energized and my mental clarity is enhanced.
It take a while to get into the routine, but now that it’s part of my schedule I can’t imagine skipping a day. I highly recommend it to anyone serious about improving their health, losing weight and increasing your overall energy level.” — Loren Taylor, Soothing Company
2. Spend time meditating without technology.
“We spend so much time each day glued to our mobile phones and computers that time away from and unplugged from technology is very important. I like to make sure I spend time meditating every morning away from all technology distractions.
Sometimes I will end it by reading for 20 or 30 minutes as well. This quiet time is great and it does a great job at helping to reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with running a business.” — Irene McConnell, Arielle Executive
3. Make time for quality family time.
“As a business owner, our time away from family is more than the traditional nine-to-five employee, so it’s important to carve out time specifically to spend time with them. Morning time is the best for me, and I make sure to give them my full attention, without emails or phone calls interrupting the time we spend together.
This is also a great source of motivation, as anyone with a family will tell you. They are the reason we do what we do, and always being connected to that source of motivation can often help you power through difficult or stressful times.” — Pat Skinner, AnswerFirst Communications
4. Meal prep for the day.
“I have been really trying to improve my health and fitness, and diet really is an important part. Business owners and entrepreneurs are a very busy bunch, and it’s often easy to order take-out or grab fast food due to busy schedules, but that is horrible for your health.
Bringing healthy prepped meals allows you to stay on track, so I spend the mornings preparing meals, which makes it very easy for me to stay on track and maintain all of my health and fitness goals. I will usually prep for one or two days in advance.” — Pedro Del Nero, Vaporizer Vendor
5. Attack email inbox and to-do list from 7am to 9am.
“I find the most productive time is when most are not working or commuting to the office. From 7am to 9am is when I dive into my emails and after they are caught up I start on my to-do list for the day. Starting my day earlier than most allows me to get a lot done before the day really starts without any distractions.
This way, when the calls and emails do start for the day I’m not bogged down and can keep up. This little extra effort goes a long way and really contributes to a productive day.” — Tad Thomas, Thomas Law Offices
6. Read and focus on personal development.
“I’m a big believer in personal development. I always want to learn, so I try to read every morning, even if it’s just 10 to 20 pages. The key is being consistent. I’m able to read a couple books each month this way.
I have also started to listen to podcasts on my commute, rather than listening to the radio, which is also a great personal development tool. I’m constantly looking for new podcasts to learn from. Between reading and listening to podcasts, I have been able to take ‘dead’ morning time and used it to improve myself.” — Ignacio Soria, CANN & Co.
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