5 Morning Rituals That Help Me Win The Day

You wake up. Now what?

After researching a bunch high performers about morning routines, I’ve tested a lot and figured out what works for me.

Here are five things that I attempt to do every morning. Realistically, if
I hit three out of five, I consider myself having won the morning. And if you win the morning, you win the day. I’m probably not the first person to say this, but it’s how I frame the importance of the first 60 minutes of the day. They facilitate or handicap the next 12+ hours. I’ve deliberately set a low bar for “win.”

These will probably seem like small things, but just remember: The small things are the big things.

Number 1: Make Your Bed

I will quote Naval Admiral William McRaven on this one ...... 

“If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.”

Number 2: Take a shower  

Now I am not saying you are dirty or you smell, but who can deny a good shower doesn't feel great? I have worked up to taking a cold shower which nicely invigorates the body, but you do you and if a warm or a lukewarm works best for you then do that! 

Number 3: Do 60 seconds of exercise 

This can be a full body stretch or a set amount of reps of an Exercise. Why 60 seconds? Because everyone has 60 seconds. 60 seconds is not a workout, it's intended to wake the body up. Getting into my body, even for 60 seconds, has a dramatic effect on my mood and quiets mental chatter.

Number 4: Prepare a hot cup of something

Some folk are tea drinkers, whereas I love a good coffee! Sip it, enjoy it and take some time to think which leads in nicely to the next part ....... 

Number 5: Journal for 5 Minutes 

Next up is journaling, which is not a “Dear Diary” situation lol. I will include a morning and night time Template that I find helpful below and adds focus to my day. 5 minutes in the morning of answering a few prompts, and then 5 minutes in the evening doing the same. Do this action at the same time each day and that will build the habit.