Morning Mastery- How I Jump Start The Day

This is the second time I have written about my morning routine (other article). And the reason for the repeat….it’s changed. Like life, we go through periods where one way is working and then as time progresses we see changes or we make improvements and that is what I have done with my morning routine.

My focus recently has been on becoming the master of my morning, morning mastery. Learning to take control over my desire to snooze and focusing my mind during times of wander. Maybe you have experienced something similar. I have always, and remain, a strong advocate for waking up early and getting a jump on the day.

“Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” – Benjamin Franklin.

My current morning routine includes

Early to bed- turning off the lights at 10:30pm has now become the first thing I do in my morning ritual. To have success, you have to prepare for success which means starting the night before.
Read, no screen time- I have found that when I watch tv or look at my phone or tablet I do not sleep as deeply and I don’t wake up as refreshed as I do when I read a book before bed. There is something about the glossy screen and the flashing color that wakes my brain and creates restlessness.
Wake up at 5am- I have done this for years and see no reason to change. As I studied the habits of the most successful and influential leaders, a common theme of 5am wake up is noticeable. If it works for them, it’ll probably work for me.
Hydrate- I am a groggy morning guy. I love to sleep and hate to wake up early. The best way I have found to get rid of the cobwebs and focus in on the day is a big glass of water. I set it out the night before so I can stumble directly to it when I wake up.
Exercise- Like waking up early I also hate to exercise (like run and workout). I like the results of waking up early and running and that is why I do them but getting started is still (and always will be) tough. I have to get my exercise in first thing or I will never do it. Lately I have been alternating between a video workout routine and jogging. It’s been working.
Stretch- ok I am starting to feel my age (in my back) and so I need to take a few minutes to stretch out my legs and my back.
Review my goals for the week and day- at this point I pull out my goal journal and review what I want to accomplish. I order and prioritize my tasks for the day and determine what I “must” get done to call the day a success.
Quote of the day- every morning I get a great quote to my email inbox that motivates and inspires and gives me something to think about and aspire to for the day.
Prayer/mediation- I am a pretty religious guy so I like to start my day with prayers of gratitude and desires for help. If you are not religious you may want to try meditation. Visualize success and how you will accomplish it. Use the law of attraction to bring opportunities and friends your way.
Carpe Diem

So there you have it. The 10 steps I have implemented into my daily routine so that I can be the master of my morning. It has been working for me. I love having a simple outline of things to accomplish right when I wake up to make sure that I am productive and I use my time wisely. That is my morning mastery.

“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the [morning].” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (with my small adjustment).