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Goal Setting

To develop the most productive morning routine, it's helpful to identify specific goals you want to achieve. For instance, maybe you're looking for a routine that helps you become motivated to stick with your health goals. Another example is a morning routine that enables you to de-stress and feel a sense of calm. Experts often recommend implementing SMART goals, which stands for:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-Bound

An example of a smart goal may include:

• Running 2 miles in less than 25 minutes within 3 months
• Going to the gym in the morning three times a week for 30 minutes for 2 months
• Completing 5 minutes of journaling every morning for one month

Identifying Preferences

Identifying your preferences is also vital when creating a morning routine. For example, some people are morning larks and thrive as the sun rises. Others are night owls; a morning routine may help them gently start their day.

Determine your personality type. Are you practical? A very structured routine may work best.

Do you get bored easily? Maybe adding some flexibility to your morning routine will keep you engaged.

Various tools, such as worksheets or self-assessment quizzes, help you identify your preferences. For instance, this Motivation and Needs test from Psychology Today lets you determine your needs.

You may not need to sit down and formally complete a quiz or a worksheet. Sometimes, it takes a few minutes of introspection to generate ideas.

Step-by-Step Guide

Break down your morning routine into manageable steps and productive tasks. Avoid anything complex when you first start.

"Start super small and build up over time. Start with just a 2-minute somatic practice each morning. You'll see a ton of benefit from it quickly, and it takes very little time or effort," said Andrew Hogue, Co-CEO of Neurofit wellness app. "This will make the base of your routine worth sticking to, and you can then expand from there as you build the habit," said Hogue.

Consider the steps below for creating a morning routine:

Set goals

Decide what the main goals of the routine are. Ask yourself what brings you peace and joy. Write down the top three goals and any other additional things you want to get out of the routine.

Determine the amount of time you have

Think about how early you need to get up and how much time you'll have to spend on your routine.

Buy any necessary items

If you want to journal in the morning, buy yourself a notebook. If you plan to stretch, get yourself a yoga mat.

You don't need anything to start the morning routine, but having a few items ready in advance helps.

Make a checklist

Consider writing down your morning routine to keep you on track and organized. You probably won't need this checklist as the routine becomes a habit. But it can be helpful in the beginning.

Be realistic

If you have limited time, do not overwhelm yourself with ten things. Remember, start small and build your routine.

Sample Routine Templates

An example of a morning routine may include the following:

• Rise early (Avoid the snooze button)
• Practice mindfulness (This may include meditation or simple breathing exercises)
• Get outside (If possible, get some sun or fresh air)
• Stretch
• Drink a full glass of water
• Eat a healthy breakfast

Your morning routine may look different depending on your lifestyle and preferences. For example, a student's morning routine may relate to improving focus, motivation, and staying organized for classes.

Prioritization

Consider what's most important in your morning routine. Prioritizing activities helps you get the most out of your routine.

Consider implementing techniques, such as the Eisenhower Matrix and time blocking, to help you with prioritization. The Eisenhower Matrix is a time management tool that allows you to divide tasks into categories based on importance.

For instance, write everything you want to complete in your morning routine. Place each component into a category. Rate how much of a priority it is, from most important to least.

Once you see what's most important to you, it can help you implement the essential components of your morning routine.

Time blocking works by taking the activities and dividing them into specific amounts of time or blocks. For example, a time-blocking morning routine may look as follows:

• 6 am to 6:15: Do deep breathing exercises
• 6:15 to 6:30: Journal
• 6:30 to 6:45: Do short bursts of exercise
• 6:45 to 7:00: Hydrate and eat breakfast

Mindfulness and Relaxation

Mindfulness and relaxation are often an excellent component of a morning routine. Practicing mindfulness, such as meditation or deep breathing, can help you start your day relaxed and calm. Activities that promote relaxation to incorporate into a morning routine include:

• Guided meditation
• Journaling
• Yoga
• Stretching

Healthy Habits

One of the goals of a morning routine is to help start the day with healthy habits. This may include exercise, hydration, and proper nutrition. All of these components are essential for overall wellness. To set yourself up for success with these healthy morning habits, consider the following tips:

• Consider keeping a bottle of water at your bedside so it's right there when you wake up.
• Lay out your workout clothes the night before.
• Prep your breakfast the night before to minimize tasks in the morning.
• Choose an exercise you enjoy that helps get you out of bed in the morning.
• Add morning light therapy to keep your circadian rhythm balanced

Consistency

Once you develop great morning habits, the key to success is consistency. It may be easier to remain consistent if you start with small, manageable steps. Gradually integrate new habits into your existing morning routine by adding one action every few weeks, called habit stacking.

Sticking with your morning routine may have challenges, such as distractions and decreased motivation. However, obstacles are not uncommon and can be overcome.

One strategy to help with consistency is providing yourself with cues. For example, laying your running shoes out next to your bed might give you the nudge to stick with your exercise program.

Flexibility

Your morning routine does not have to be set in stone. While it's essential to be consistent, you may also benefit from having flexibility. For example, you may have less time in the morning and need to change some of your routine.

Adjusting your routine as needed will likely promote consistency. "One of the biggest misconceptions is that morning routines must be complicated and lengthy to be productive," said Freddie Tubbs, TPM and Scrum Master at Academized.com. "People also assume that routines are unbending, forgetting that flexibility is key to their continuation," said Tubbs.

Tracking and Review

Tracking and reviewing your progress regularly is a great way to help you stay motivated. Consider using a morning checklist, journal, or app to track your habits.

Lack of Motivation

Some strategies may work if your motivation starts to fade. These include setting small goals for yourself and visualizing the benefits you may gain from a morning routine. It's also helpful to reward yourself for your progress and enlist the support of family or friends to encourage you.

Distractions

Distractions may also derail your morning routine, such as your phone or significant other. To limit distractions:

• Discuss your morning routine and goals with your partner to enlist their support.
• Put your phone away as much as possible during your routine.
• Get up earlier than everyone else in your household.
• Do not check the news on television or online when you first get up in the morning.
• Avoid social media when you first get up.

Sleep Issues

Getting enough sleep may help you remain consistent with your morning routine. If you're exhausted in the morning, you won't stay motivated to start your routine.

To improve your sleep quality:

• Try to have a consistent sleep-wake cycle, promoting quality sleep.
• Unwind before bed by relaxing, such as listening to music or doing deep breathing exercises.
• Avoid caffeine or heavy meals several hours before bed.
• Create a comfortable sleep environment that is quiet, dark, and at a temperature that works for you.

Books

• The Mircacle Morning by Hal Elrod
• Morning Habits for Ultimate Success by Luke Thybulle

Apps

• Insight Timer (App for meditation)
• Today Habit Tracker ( app for goal setting and routines)

Articles

• The Power of a Morning Routine
• The Benefits of a Productive Morning Routine: How to Start Your Day Off Right

Websites and Organizations For Personal Growth and Development

• National Council for Mental Well-being
• The Wellbeing Project

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