My morning routine and why it works

The Power of Morning Routines: How to start your day with intention and set yourself up for success.

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly accomplish their goals, maintain a positive mindset, and lead fulfilling lives?

Research shows that it all starts with a well-crafted way to start your day. 

In this blog, we will explore the importance of morning routines and how you can begin implementing one that aligns with your values and sets you up for success.

If you find yourself rushing through your mornings, responding to external demands, and feeling overwhelmed before your day even begins, it's time for a change. 

My mornings used to go something like this:  Get up, rush around, shouting orders to get kids to school, on the bus or to early skating, volleyball or field hockey practices. Then, I turned around to make lunches (for everyone else - not me), prep and plan for dinner, realize there were forms for school to sign, then hop in the shower (most days if I could) and rush to work. 

The typical scenario of multitasking, yelling orders, and neglecting your own needs can leave you emotionally drained, stressed, and lacking energy.  What I experienced was letting the outside world in, and then” IT” took over my attention, energy and time before I got to set my own intention and concentrate on my goals for the day. Other people’s agenda became my priority and my energy was spread to meet everyone else’s needs. Looking at it now, I cannot imagine starting my days like that AND maintaining a healthy mindset or any kind of balance. No wonder I felt emotionally de-regulated most of the time; stressed, over stretched and lacking energy. I hit rock bottom! This is when I decided I needed to take charge of how I started my days.   

Once I finally recognized this, I did a lot of reading and research and determined it was time to reclaim control over my mornings and establish a solid routine that nurtured my well-being.

People ask me why I go toed so early? Over the years, I’ve learned that I need to rise early to get my morning routine in BEFORE everyone else starts making their agendas and their needs my priority!

The key lies in customizing your routine to reflect your values, priorities, and aspirations. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to a routine. It has changed my life completely and impacted my relationships in a positive way. The trick I realize now after five years is… I’ve aligned my morning routine based on what is important to me, what I value and how I want to go through my day. 

The Transformative Power of a Morning Routine:

Breaking Free from the Outside World: 

• The first step towards reclaiming your mornings is to resist the urge to immediately reach for your phone upon waking up. By avoiding the digital distractions and influences of the outside world, you create space for setting your intentions, focusing on your goals, and nurturing your well-being. Start by spending just 15 minutes engaging in activities that prioritize your personal growth and mental clarity.
• Take a few moments each morning to write down your goals, express gratitude for three things, and make a list of tasks aligned with your objectives for the day.

• To ensure uninterrupted time for your morning routine, it may be necessary to set your alarm clock earlier than usual. For me, the 5AM Club principles by Robin Sharma became a guiding light. Waking up at 5AM is not essential; you can adapt the principles to any time that suits your schedule. The core elements of this method include moving your body for 20 minutes, journaling for 20 minutes, learning for 20 minutes.

Consistency and Adaptability: 

• While sticking to your morning routine is vital, there may be occasions when flexibility is required. Vacations, holidays, or other commitments might necessitate adjustments in your routine, but the key is to preserve at least 60 minutes of uninterrupted personal time before immersing yourself in the outside world.  

Resetting and Starting Anew:

• Occasionally, your routine may get off track. When this happens, it's crucial to recognize the effects promptly. Reduced energy, decreased focus, and diminished productivity are signs that you need to reset. Embrace the concept of the 5 AM Club, and start fresh the next day. By realigning with your morning routine, you regain control and set the stage for a successful day ahead.
• Remember, there is no universal formula for a morning routine. Customize it to reflect your values, goals, and aspirations. Embrace the transformative potential of your mornings, and let them become a springboard to success in all areas of your life.

What was the first thing you did this morning? What is a non negotiable for you to start your days with? Do you struggle setting a morning routine? If it was looking at your phone, chances are you let the outside world dictate your priorities to start your day. Based on what you saw and engaged with on your phone, it most likely impacted how you went about your day and how you felt throughout the day. 

What if tomorrow, you woke up and did not grab your phone right away?  For just the first 15 minutes you wake-up, you don't look or touch your phone - imagine… 

Instead you did this: 

1. Think of your goals for this year, or this week or even for today. Write them down.
2. Think of three things you are grateful for. Write them down  
3. Make a list of what you want to accomplish today that is inline with #1 and do what is on the list. 

That’s it - just those three things. Try it!  

Taking charge of your mornings - whatever that looks like for you as long as it is to safeguard your first precious moments you awake for yourself, your thoughts, your goals and your overall well-being. 

For me? It meant implementing the principles of the 5AM Club. After a few years of my husband and I adopting this morning routine, we added 20 minutes of meditation so now, our routine has expanded to 80 minutes. 

People ask me if we wake up at 5AM every morning? The answer is most days, yes. If we happen to be on holidays, we tend to follow the same routine. We might adjust the time we start it or shorten each segment slightly to adapt to a different rhythm. The main thing though is to keep the outside world out for that first part of the morning.