How you start your day, and the rituals you perform to get started are vital to your success.  Our world has gotten rushed and hectic. If you feel the chaos begins the moment your head leaves the pillow, you’re not alone.  Most people think the same way.  For me, it’s crucial to have my morning rituals. These rituals are the things I do every day to ensure that I can be at the most peak performance possible.

I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that some days are better than others. How my day begins most often depends upon how much sleep I achieved the night before. I strive for 7-8 hours a night, but in reality, it’s more like 6-7 if I’m lucky. I want to go to bed earlier than I do, but life often tends to get in the way. Full-time job, part-time jobs after the full-time job, running this site, and venturing into a start-up business (shameless plug) takes its toll. There are only so many hours in the day, and unfortunately, these responsibilities sometimes cut into my sleep time.

The day doesn’t wait for you, so tired or not, you need to get out of bed and go after it.

5 Morning Rituals Guaranteed For Proven Results

Get up early

I hear so many people complain about not having enough time in the morning to get anything done. If you find yourself rushing around and not having a minute to get ready for your day, then the answer is simple. Get up earlier! This ritual is one I began years and years ago. I’ve always been more of a morning person anyway, but it has helped me tremendously.

Who doesn’t love to sleep in? It’s easy to get in the habit of hearing the alarm go off and lying in bed another 15-30 minutes checking email, social media, or falling back to sleep. But you must get out of bed no matter how hard it may be to do.

Some people even have to set 2 or 3 different alarms to make sure they get up. When the alarm goes off, get out of bed. Your body will adjust to getting up earlier, and eventually, like me, you won’t need an alarm anymore. I also suggest that you get up at the same time every day, so your body gets conditioned.

Think of all the extra things you can get done while others are sleeping. Getting up early isn’t something you should jump right into. Warm-up gradually and follow these simple tips:

• Start slowly – If you plan to get up at 5:30 every day like I do, but you usually wake up at 7:00, then begin with subtle changes. Start getting up at 6:30 and then 6:15 and so on until you get used to it.
• Go to bed earlier and stop watching TV and looking at your phone before bed. The blue light from these devices messes with your brain and keeps you awake. If you feel like you have to watch TV or watch YouTube before bed, then invest in a good pair of Blue Light Blocking Glasses. I own a pair by Gamma Ray, and I enjoy them so much. I’ve got a pair for reading and one with no magnification for watching TV.
• Don’t put your alarm clock right next to you. Make yourself get up to turn it off. Once you’re out of bed, you will be more apt to stay out of bed.
• Leave the bedroom as fast as possible. The longer you linger in there, the easier it will be to crawl back in bed.
• Don’t rationalize with yourself at any cost. Sure an extra 15 minutes wouldn’t kill you, but don’t do it! Get up!

Eat Breakfast

Growing up, we heard that breakfast was the most important meal of the day. That seems to be changing with newer fitness and weight loss programs like intermittent fasting, but for me, breakfast is the fuel I need to start the day and a morning ritual I can not pass up. Don’t go overboard and overeat. Instead, eat a small meal to start your metabolism and fuel your body and mind. My breakfast usually consists of eggs, fruit, and water. Just enough to get me going.

Hit the gym

For some, working out at night is a better option, but not me. My workout has to be first thing in the morning. A good workout helps me to get my blood flowing and gives me time to think about my day and plan. Whatever you decide to do, get moving. Yoga, a spin class, 30 minutes on a treadmill, strength training, or all of the above will provide you significant benefits. If you lack motivation, then add some music to your morning workout. Choose your favorite playlist and walk or run to the beat of the music.

Meditate

10-15 minutes is all it takes to meditate and clear your mind. The great part about meditating is that it’ done just about anywhere. The easiest way to start is with a simple breathing meditation. Find someplace quiet and set your phone timer for 10-15 minutes. Sit or lie down someplace comfortable and feel your body making contact with the chair or the floor. Let your body rest and begin to breathe gently. Count 1 on the in-breath and two on the out-breath. Try not to have your mind wander, but if it does, it’s ok.  Make sure to take your focus back to your breath. When the timer goes off, slowly open your eyes. Your mind should now be clear and ready to focus.

Plan your day

If you want to be successful, it’s vital to plan your day in advance. Take a few minutes to review your calendar and take note of what you have on the calendar and what you need to add. Ensure that every task has a time slot assigned to it. Always leave openings in your day for a break and unplanned chaos. When you plan your day, there should be no major surprises, but something unexpected always seems to occur. That’s why you leave some chaos time open. If nothing out of the ordinary happens, you have more time to get things done. Bonus!

The time it takes for your morning rituals will vary based on several factors, such as when work begins and how much time you’d like to have for yourself each morning. Plan accordingly and allow yourself the proper amount of time that makes you feel comfortable. Remember to start slow. A ritual isn’t born overnight. It takes time, work, and patience, but I promise you it will pay off in the end.

These five morning rituals work for me and can help get you motivated and inspired to take on your day and succeed. What rituals do you have each morning to help you get prepared for the day? Comment below.