10 Ways Successful People Start Their Mornings
THE DAY MAY have twenty-four hours of equal length, but every hour is not created equal. Beginning the day with a purpose and a plan increases your chances of success. Here are ten smart ways to start your day:
1. Get an early start.
Whether you work from home or commute to an office, the more time you've had to digest the latest news and obstacles ahead, the greater your chances of getting the most out of your day.
2. Clarify and review your priorities.
What is your number one goal right now? What's most important to you? What makes you happy? Design your time around these things. Remember, time is your greatest limited resource, because no matter how hard you try, you can't work 25/8.
3. Prune any nonessential commitments for the day.
The mark of a successful person is the ability to set aside the “somewhat important” things in order to accomplish the vital ones first. When
You’re crystal clear about your priorities; you can painlessly arrange them in the right order and discard the activities and commitments that do not support the ones at the top of your list.4. Exercise.
Other than the obvious health benefits, movement increases brain function and decreases stress levels. Developing a consistent habit of exercising is a discipline that will carry over into your business day— Apple CEO Tim Cook is in the gym by five a.m. every morning. If you can, go outside for a walk, or jump on the treadmill and start out slow. This will jump-start your metabolism and your day.
5. Eat a healthy breakfast.
Your brain and body speed are a function of what you take in. Bagels, muffins, and sugars have the tendency to slow you down. Fruits, proteins, and grains help fuel a consistent stream of energy without the sudden drop-off.
6. Kiss your partner good-bye.
It sounds cheesy, but acknowledging your partner (and kids) mentally relaxes you, allowing you to focus on the day ahead. Don't lose sight of the fact that you're striving to be successful so they may benefit as well.
7. Practice fifteen minutes of positive visualization.
Spend a few minutes thinking of everything you're grateful for: in yourself, among your family and friends, in your career. After that, visualize everything you want in your life as if you had it today.
8. Eat that frog.
Brian Tracy's classic time-management book, Eat That Frog!, gets its title from a Mark Twain quote that says, if you eat a live frog first thing in the morning, you’ve got it behind you for the rest of the day, and nothing else will be more difficult. In other words, get the tough stuff done first.
9. Connect with the right people.
Successful people associate with people who are like-minded, focused, and supportive. These people create energy when they enter the room, compared with those who create energy when they leave. Connecting with these positive people in the morning can set you up for a positive day.
10. Stay informed.
Whether you prefer National Public Radio or The Wall Street Journal, spend a few minutes each morning learning about what is going on in the world. Not only will it educate you, it may change your perspective or inspire your actions for the day.