Author: Allison Gage (2018)
As consultants, our work day can be unpredictable to say the least. Many days transform without notice as client needs and priorities change. It is hard to get into a routine, including establishing a morning routine. What we intend to complete rarely matches the plan. This is the case with many industries and professions. How can we ensure optimal performance and use of time in an ever-changing environment?
Whether you’re a consultant or not, a strong morning routine can be the difference between running the day and letting the day run you.
The most successful leaders throughout time have had morning routines, and with good reason. Creating a morning routine is the best way to:
- Set a positive and productive tone for your day
- Tackle top tasks before distractions creep in
- Focus on your goals and the associated tasks
- Boost your happiness
- Reduce stress levels
What is also common between great leaders? The elements of said morning routine. Leaders understand that success is not isolated. How you do anything is how you do everything. So, how successful you are in your personal life is a direct correlation to success in your professional life and vice-versa.
If you’re looking to jumpstart the momentum needed for personal and professional success here are a few key elements to include in your morning routine:
1. Gratitude
First thing in the morning, before even getting out of bed, take a few minutes to stretch under the covers and express gratitude – write down or mentally go through a quick list of things you are grateful for this morning. (Bonus! Setting your intention for the day right after your gratitude allows you to set a positive foundation before you even get out of bed.)
2. Affirmations
Writing and speaking affirmations aloud is a great way to get your mindset right to start the day. Affirmations allow us to re-program limiting thoughts or beliefs to match optimal results in our personal and professional lives.
3. Meditation / Visualization
Both only take a few minutes every day; meditation and visualization are very different but can be used individually or combined. Mediation allows us to enhance consciousness and self-awareness while visualization allows us to concentrate on achieving goals and dreams. These techniques can even improve health and assist in resolving issues or problems with seemingly no solution.
4. Exercise
Exercise helps clear the mind, reduce stress and ensure you start the day feeling refreshed and energized. Whether your exercise includes strength training, HIIT, a brisk walk around the neighbourhood or dancing in your living room – get your heart rate and vibration up. Taking care of your health is essential to success since success is a marathon, not a sprint.
5. Read
It can be hard to find time to read amidst the craziness of our daily schedule but we all know how important reading is to our success. Start your day with ideas that expand your mind and focus on subjects that correlate to your goals. Whether it’s 10 mins or an hour a day – focus on learning, reflecting and applying what you’ve read into your daily life.
I challenge you to create your own morning routine and be disciplined to it a habit. Discipline is critical to success as it will carry you through when you don’t “feel” like doing something. It will also bridge the gap until your morning routine becomes a habit and part of your new paradigm.
I leave you with this quote from Hal Elrod (“The Miracle Morning”):
Focused, productive successful mornings generate focused, productive, successful days – which inevitably create a successful life.