Note: This article is from blogger Alexis Van Dam, who talks about how to create a morning routine that will help you achieve success.
Even a simple decision, such as drinking our coffee with or without milk or sugar, will be exhausting. With routine, we complete the steps of our day without thinking about them, a mechanism the brain uses to get through the day.
In 2016, I changed my morning routine three times. I moved from the Netherlands to Singapore, and I had to leave my digital marketing consulting office to start a new life with my wife in Asia.
I had to start looking for a new job, and during this process, I noticed a shift in my daily routine, and then in mid-August of the same year, I got a new job that also caused a change in my morning routine, and I realized the impact of one's routine on one's day.
Steps to Creating a Morning Routine for Success
In this article, I will share my experience through the following steps
1. Make your morning routine a habit
Prepare your sports gear, swimsuit, or towel the night before to start the day with some activity. As part of the routine, setting up your equipment the night before also puts your mind in the right frame for exercise when you wake up, which keeps you from ignoring practice.
Make time for exercise in your schedule the day before because you cannot smoothly eliminate it from your day planner, and you will notice during your day the time you have allocated for exercise in your calendar when you plan new activities for the next day, which makes this activity part of your routine.
2. Rise early
My alarm goes off at 6:55, so I avoid using the snooze button, get up as soon as I wake up, put on my swimsuit first, heat the distilled water, take my towel, and head to the pool downstairs.
I arrive at the pool at seven o'clock and jump into the chilly, lukewarm water to help me wake up more. I swim for 30 minutes, and after I cut the pool long, I practice breathing for ten seconds to keep the heart rate accelerating. Swimming is an excellent way to start your day because it gives you enthusiasm, wakes you up, and exercises your entire body.
Instead of swimming, it is also helpful to exercise in the gym. If the gym is not near you, use one of the 7-minute exercises. Many applications are available for this, such as Wahoo, which is available on Android and iOS.
3. Bathe
Most people like to take a warm bath of medium to long length to wake up, and I used to start my day in the same way, only to discover afterward that it did not help wake me up. Warm water relaxes your muscles, but it does not boost your energy to work.
According to professional athlete Wim Hof, nicknamed "The Iceman," it is better to bathe in cold water because it helps strengthen the immune system responsible for fighting diseases, and cold water provides our body with a boost of energy and enhances the process of breathing.
After finishing swimming, I bathed in lukewarm water. You may have heard that people always come up with great ideas in the shower or think about everything they should do. In contrast to bathing in cold water, a lukewarm or warm bath is helpful to get more and better ideas.
4. Feed Your Mind
Your breakfast may vary depending on the culture you belong to and the diet you follow. For me, I eat low-fat yogurt with fresh fruits such as mangoes and some raw nuts.
I like to drink fresh espresso coffee a lot, and the process of preparing fresh espresso coffee takes a few minutes according to the following instructions:
- Place the plunger in the grinder.
- Grind the coffee beans.
- Measure the amount of coffee in the press.
- Squeeze using your wrist, arm, and elbow placed directly above the middle of the coffee filter basket.
- Place the press in the espresso machine.
- Turn it on and start brewing coffee for up to 24 seconds.
With this, you have prepared a perfect dose of espresso coffee to start your day with enthusiasm. While preparing coffee, thoughts wander through my mind, things become clear, and sometimes I come up with magnificent new ideas.
You can also take advantage of the time you take to prepare coffee to think about your day and the essential tasks. Drinking a moderate amount of coffee helps to focus your attention as well.
If you do not prefer espresso, create a simple routine in which you prepare and drink the type of coffee or tea you like, and unleash your ideas.
5. Prepare yourself for work
Depending on your type of work, you can start it even before you get to the workplace or during your journey, whether on the subway, the train, or even in the car. Depending on your mode of travel, you can read, answer emails, or make calls, so I advise you to do the following during your trip:
- Read a book or newspaper.
- Read an interesting article on a blog you prefer.
- Listen to an audiobook or music because music has a big impact on your mood and productivity.
- Create a to-do list of the top three tasks you need to accomplish in the day.
There are many apps you can use to set up to-do lists, such as Wunderlist.
Add comment