What is a Morning Routine and How Does it Make You Successful?

When most of us hear the word ‘routine,’ our minds quickly revert to thoughts of robotic habits and tedious behaviors that lack the color and personality of a so-called ‘adventurous’ lifestyle; however, having a specific ritual or routine that one follows religiously in the mornings can be the very catalyst that propels one into a state of optimal psychological function and heightened awareness.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of a morning routine and what practices you can incorporate into your own to optimize your productivity.

What exactly is a morning routine?

I have heard many say, “I’m not much of a morning person.” Hell, I’ve said it plenty of times myself, but it wasn’t until recently that I really found value in my mornings — especially in how I utilize my mornings — and decided to develop consistent morning habits.

In short, a morning routine is a practice that you carry out every single morning. I know it sounds lame, but having a consistent morning ritual is actually what many successful people have in common when it comes to the measure and maintenance of their success.

Wake up with Intention

The significance of establishing a morning routine is that it sets the tone for the rest of the day. When you foster intention, clarity of mind, and creativity, you chart the course for a productive day and create an environment that nurtures your well-being and provokes successful habits and productive mindsets.

Successful individuals have a consistent morning ritual

Whether you are a night owl or an early bird, one thing that you will always find amongst successful individuals is their consistent morning regimen. They use their mornings to channel their energy, release any fog that is blurring their mental vision, and invigorate their bodies with nutrition, exercise, and relaxation. This opens up their minds and bodies to complete whatever tasks they need to in order to better reach their goals and overcome old stagnant habits that hinder them.

The makings of a productive morning routine

Obviously, there is no standardized way to establish a morning ritual.; however, if you ask any successful, self-actualized individual what a crucial factor was in their successes, they would undoubtedly tell you that their morning ritual played a big part in it.

So, since there is no right or wrong way to go about cultivating a morning routine, what are things that others use to set the right intentions for the day?

Most morning rituals consist of:

• Drinking water
• Eating a light meal
• Meditation or Yoga
• Writing in a journal or diary
• Studying (Podcasts, lectures, books, etc.)
• Exercising and Stretching
• Writing out daily goals
• Writing a plan for the day
• Taking a cold shower

Needless to say, not everyone is going to use every single one of these things, but there is nothing unhealthy about of the things listed! The reason that these concepts make an effective morning routine is that they clear your mind, increase your metabolism, increase your mental clarity, and increase your energy for starting the day off right.

Developing one that works for you

The key factor that you should consider when making your own morning ritual, is making sure to do what you love. When your day is centered around responding to your intuition and what you want to do rather than reacting out of a negative space of fear and lack, then you set a positive tone for the day that allows you to transcend your supposed boundaries.

So, how do you want to start your morning?