How to Start Your Day Off Right

When I worked in a corporate office over a decade ago, my mornings looked something like this: Hit snooze until I had to get out of bed. Get dressed and put on makeup while chugging coffee. Race out the door and (possibly) eat breakfast in the car on the way to work while fighting traffic. Arrive mostly functional yet frazzled.

When I started working from home years ago, my mornings looked like this: Check alerts on smartphone, including emails, before even getting out of bed. Sit down at desk as soon as coffee is ready and start my workday. Eventually make breakfast when my growling stomach can no longer be ignored. Eventually get dressed when I realize it’s noon and I’m still in PJs. 

Does any of this sound familiar?

If so, then a morning routine carefully designed according to your personality and goals may not only be the ticket to a more enjoyable start to your day, but also to greater productivity throughout the entire day. 

What is a morning routine?

I define a morning routine simply as a set of activities one performs each day after waking up. 

There isn’t a “right” way to do a morning routine. Some people’s morning routines last 15 minutes, while others’ last two hours or more. It depends on what is meaningful and realistic for each person.

Common morning routine activities include:

• Setting barriers around stress-inducing experiences. For example, not checking phone messages and email (especially not before getting out of bed).
• Enjoying an un-rushed morning beverage or healthy breakfast
• Walking, yoga, working out
• Meditation, prayer
• Reading, journaling
• Setting intentions and goals
• Spending quality time with family or friends
• Taking time for a creative pursuit or hobby
• Personal care time, like teeth brushing, showering, getting dressed

If there’s a lot you want to accomplish during your morning routine but time is at a premium, then consider combining activities. For example, listen to an inspirational podcast while taking a walk or getting dressed. Or write in a journal while drinking your coffee.

What are the benefits of a morning routine?

There are many benefits of a morning routine, but these are what I have found to be my four favorites:

1. It sets the tone. Simply put, having a morning routine can set a positive tone for the rest of the day. Rather than rushing to get to work or answering emails as soon as you wake up, a morning routine can put your mind in a good, calm place before it shifts to work mode. 

A morning routine can be a good reminder of how nice it feels to be in control of your thoughts and actions before you start getting pulled in different directions. In an industry where we’re constantly reacting to and juggling the requests and needs of others, this daily reminder can be extremely helpful. And a calmer mind leads to increased productivity when it comes time to work.

2. It guarantees “me time.” Let’s be honest — as soon as we open our email inbox, there’s a good chance that we’re going to be swept up in work, without a clear idea of when we’ll get our next break. Setting a morning routine means you acknowledge that it’s important to take care of yourself. 

When you spend even a few minutes every morning doing something you find meaningful, you’ve guaranteed you’ve gotten your daily “me time.” And I’ve learned that when I charge up my batteries in the morning, I’m more eager to fully dedicate myself to my clients and projects during the workday, resulting in better work performance and happier clients.

3. It refocuses goals. A morning routine can provide the time and space we need to think clearly and purposefully about what’s important and what we want to accomplish that day. This could take the form of what kind of mood you’d like to maintain or actions you’d like to take later, whether they’re related to work or personal life. 

For example, in the morning, I might decide that I will be a good listener on a client call that afternoon or commit to calling a friend I haven’t talked to in a while. Or, if I know I have a lot on my plate for the upcoming workday, I might tell myself that I will methodically work through my list without getting overwhelmed. It’s amazing how powerful these small yet deliberate thoughts can be in influencing the ability to effectively tackle goals the rest of the day.

4. It fuels your body. If your morning routine involves some type of movement and eating a healthy breakfast, then you’re doing wonders for your physical, mental and emotional state that will carry with you throughout the day. 

It’s common knowledge that exercise boosts mood and combats stress, among so many other benefits. And research has shown that eating breakfast helps keep blood sugar steadier throughout the day, which is important because drops and spikes in blood sugar can affect mood, making people more nervous, grumpy or angry. It’s hard to be productive and satisfy bosses and clients when we’re distracted by hunger or acting moody. 

More morning routine resources

There are plenty of resources available online lauding the benefits of morning routines and suggested activities that you may want to consider including in your own. I recommend listening to “The Tim Ferriss Show” podcast, reading articles from Inc. and Forbes, and using a product called “The Five-Minute Journal” for anyone who is interested in learning more about morning routines and using them to have a calmer, more productive day.