How to Create a Successful Morning Routine Even When You’re Not a Morning Person
In a recent Livestream for my Free Facebook group, (join here if you are not a member) I spoke about having a morning routine as an entrepreneur (you can watch it in the videos if you haven't seen it already).
But, what do you do if you are not a morning person and it takes you a while to get going in the morning?
Well, in that case, there are a few things that you can incorporate which will help you start each day off on the right foot and create a routine which works for you.
1) Look at your mindset, beliefs and language around whether you are a morning person or not.
Is this based on anything in particular or have you "just never been a morning person" or are you saying things like "I just can't function before 10.00 a.m." then your actions are likely backing up your beliefs.
Instead, try something like "i'm open to getting up a little earlier each day and feeling more energetic when I do." or "my body is powerful and provides me with what I need to wake up energised". This is a big shift in what you are saying to your body and mind and you are giving it the space to show up a little differently for you. Repeat these affirmations until you are cementing them as a new belief.
2) Look at your habits around bedtime
Waking up earlier with more energy doesn't just happen for most people. We have to set ourselves up to succeed in this area. How you show up the next day starts with how you end the previous one. So take a look at your bedtime habits.
Are you getting to sleep at the right time? The average adult needs 8 hours of sleep and the most regenerative sleep happens between the hours of 10.00 pm and 2.00 am. So if you are not getting to sleep until later i.e past midnight then you are missing out on the most regenerative hours.
Start with going to bed 30 minutes earlier and then build up to 1 hour earlier to claim back an hour's worth of sleep time.
Avoid overstimulation when you go to bed, e.g. time spent on your phone, watching tv in the bedroom, drinking caffeine before bedtime etc as these reduce the quality of the sleep you do have.
If you are prone to waking up with aches and pains (common if you are spending long hours at a computer in the day, running around after kids etc) then, take 5-10 minutes to do some stretching exercises before you go to bed to loosen up from the day.
Set your intention for the day tomorrow. INTEND to wake up with more energy. Tell yourself "I always wake up bursting with life and energised." Repeat it to yourself as you nod off to cement this into your subconscious mind which will continue to work overnight.
3) Eliminate the bad morning habits.
If you are a sleep lover like me (omg do I love my sleep!) then that snooze button is the biggest enemy of productivity in the morning. Keep your alarm away from your bed so that you HAVE to get up when the alarm goes off/when you wake up naturally. Movement creates energy and the simple act of getting up to switch your alarm off will kick start this.
Once you are up, MAKE THE BED. This is crucial for two reasons. Firstly, you are less likely to go back into bed if it's made up and secondly, it's the first thing you've completed successfully so counts as your first win of the day. I adopted this after learning it's a military exercise that builds discipline and routine and gives a sense of accomplishment. I sometimes left my bed unmade (naughty I know!) and was sceptical that something so small could do anything but it works and that sense of accomplishment filters through to your work day.
Keep some water by the bed and hydrate first thing in the morning. Doing this helps kick-start your body and rehydrates it from the night before (don't forget it hasn't had any fluids for around 8 hours so will welcome the drink). I like to visualise the water moving down my body and spreading energy and vitality to all my cells.
4) Do something just for you
Before you get on the phone and start answering your emails or plotting out your mental to-do list for the day ahead do something FOR YOU.
This is an important shift as instead of getting up and dreading the day ahead and everything you have to get done and wondering how you will possibly finish it all, you are giving yourself something to look forward to instead. You are starting the day with an act of SELF LOVE.
What that looks like is up to you. I have a little self-love routine that varies depending on how much time I have. On any given day it can include meditation, yoga, journaling, affirmations and gratitude.
It started off feeling like too much of a luxury and I would try and shorten it but when I saw the difference in my mindset and results it became a non-negotiable.
The minimum I commit to is something for the body (exercise and getting it moving) and something for the mind (affirmations) and something for the soul (gratitude). I have long and short versions for these so can be flexible. Or on busy days I will combine e.g. go for a walk and do my gratitude mentally.
BONUS TIP:
a) You know best what you need. Everyone's routines, responsibilities and body clocks are different. I know many entrepreneurs who swear by getting up at 5.00 a.m. for their morning routine. This doesn't work for me. I like to have a little bit of an evening (and not be in bed for 8.00 a.m.!) or be up too early. It's about striking a balance between being rested and what works for you and your lifestyle.
For example, the mamas in the group, you might have kids to get ready for school the next day or the little one that is still waking up through the night (btw if no one told you-you're doing an amazing job) so you may want to do a shorter more expedited routine. See my resources below to help you fit this in.
Bottom line, do what fits for you. Start in small increments to set yourself up for success and commit to changing things bit by bit. It takes 30 days to form a new habit so decide what you want to incorporate and then do it daily until it becomes a habit.
RESOURCES:
The Miracle Morning - Hal Elrod. Breaks down how to work the morning routine into your day in just 6 minutes. Get it here https://amzn.to/2Cgh0gg
Morning Qijong routine
Gets life energy moving through the body's pathways. Very invigorating and awakening in the morning and gives an instant burst of energy.
Watch it here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac08kMK-dyI
Five minute guided meditation
Easy to fit into your life and start the day off right
Watch here - https://youtu.be/3RxXiFgkxGc
Hey, I'm Tasmin! I'm a Mindset & Business Confidence Coach for new and aspiring female entrepreneurs. I help overcome their fears and ramp up their confidence so that they can escape the corporate drudgery and create a life and business on their terms.
Want to chat about how I can help you? Apply for a Free Session with me here. I'm excited to talk to you :-)
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