In the new year, you tend to have a renewed sense of focus. As I woke up this morning, I felt a bit sluggish and unmotivated. But I remembered the advice of the ten professionals I interviewed on how to kickstart my day and set myself up for success. From a 10-minute workout for motivation to staying informed and self-reflecting, discover the top 10 tips these experts used to make the most of their mornings.
How to Set Your Day Up for Success
I started with a 10-minute workout, just as Christy recommended. It was amazing how much energy I had after just a few minutes of movement. I felt invigorated and ready to tackle the day ahead.
10-Minute Workout for Motivation
Push yourself in a workout for 10 minutes. The lack of motivation stems from the activity and how long it takes to complete. Make this a small goal. Do any exercise for at least 10 minutes, and you’ve accomplished your goal for the day.
You may decide to continue or end the workout within that time, which is also okay. Knowing it’s such a short period, you’ll quickly find the motivation to power through each day.
Christy Pyrz, Chief Marketing Officer, Paradigm Peptides
Next, I sat down with a cup of coffee and spent some time reading the news, just like Melanie and Samir. Staying informed about what’s going on in the world helps me feel connected and informed, and it’s an easy way to start my day on a positive note.
Savor a Peaceful Coffee Moment
I make myself a latte. I have five children, and it’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of everyone getting ready for the day. But I make a latte in the chaos, then sneak outside on the porch and drink it in peace while I breathe fresh air.
It makes all the difference when I give myself a moment to shut out the noise and focus on enjoying the luxury of my coffee.
Melanie Musson, Outdoor Expert, TheAdventureFamBam
The book The 5AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life by Robin Sharma serves as a helpful resource to assist you in dedicating uninterrupted time in the morning to recalibrate and organize your day. This period of solitude allows for moments of reflection, gratitude, and rediscovery of the purpose and motivation behind your actions.
Stay Informed and Self-Reflect
One powerful habit I practice is staying well-informed about the latest happenings across various sectors and industries. I dedicate approximately 30 minutes each day to immerse myself in current affairs, spanning politics, economy, social issues, environmental matters, and more.
This intentional effort allows me to broaden my perspective, stay ahead of trends, and make informed decisions in both personal and professional realms. Equally effective is the practice of engaging in meaningful self-reflection and introspection.
Each morning, I engage in a deep conversation with myself, taking the time to evaluate my goals, aspirations, and short-term plans. This self-dialogue is a powerful tool for recalibration, enabling me to align my actions with my purpose and make intentional choices throughout the day.
Through these intentional practices, I stay informed and focused and cultivate a mindset of continuous learning and personal development.
Samir Parikh, Founder, NamanHR
Embrace Morning Quiet Time
I start my day with some quiet time. While that varies by the day and the commitments on my calendar, it always involves a cup of coffee. Some days, I start my day with exercise; other times, meditation or catch up on the news.
I purposely wake up first in my house. Allowing myself some time first lets me have a clear mind for a productive day.
Kimberly Bogues, Founder and CEO, Flourish Business Consulting
After that, I spent a few moments in quiet reflection, just like Roy. I took a few deep breaths and focused on my goals for the day. This helped me feel centered and focused, and I knew I could tackle anything that came my way.
Start With Relaxation Techniques
I take a few moments for deep breathing or relaxation exercises to set my day up for success. Starting the day with a sense of calm and centeredness helps me clear my mind, reduce stress, and approach the day with a positive mindset.
I find a quiet and comfortable space, close my eyes, and focus on taking slow, deep breaths. I consciously release any tension or worries, allowing myself to relax fully. This practice helps me let go of any lingering negativity from the previous day and begin the new day with a fresh perspective.
It allows me to be more present, focused, and ready to tackle the tasks and challenges ahead. Taking these moments of self-care and intentional breathing sets a positive tone for the day. It increases my overall sense of well-being, ultimately contributing to a more successful and productive day.
Roy Lau, Co-founder, 28 Mortgage
Establish a Consistent Morning Routine
Having a morning routine helps me start my day on the right foot. Some things I like to include in my morning are:
Waking up at the same time
Doing an exercise or stretching
Meditating or practicing mindfulness
Eating a healthy breakfast
The real winner is reviewing my schedule or to-do list for the day. Establishing a consistent morning routine can help reduce stress and increase productivity throughout the day. A routine can also help establish a sense of structure and control, which can be especially beneficial when working from home or in a remote environment.
Mike Podesto, Founder and CEO, Find My Profession
Accomplish Early Morning Chores
I strive to feel a sense of accomplishment as early in the day as possible. After I prepare for the day, I do at least one chore before it’s time to leave for school or work. My kids are at the age where I don’t have to get them ready for school, so I have more time in the morning to unload the dishwasher, start laundry, or tidy up the kitchen before leaving.
These tiny things give me a sense of relief, knowing things at home are getting done. I don’t have to stress about them all day when I’m trying to work (I work from home, and seeing piles of chores can distract me). Plus, I feel better knowing I’ve used my small pockets of free time wisely.
Alli Hill, Founder and Director, Fleurish Freelance
Boost Productivity With Focusmate
Today, a lot of work is done remotely or individually, which can hamper productivity. One trick I’ve seen some success with is “body doubling” — having a stranger watch you work.
The resource for this is Focusmate, an online platform that randomly connects you over a webcam to a total stranger for just under an hour, where you both can observe each other while getting your work done.
This gives you a small feeling of being in a workplace, and knowing someone sees you can make it less likely that you’ll put down your work to do something unimportant.
Manasvini Krishna, Founder, Boss as a Service
Organize Tasks Using Asana
I use Asana, a project management tool, to plan my day's tasks. As soon as I log in, I can determine what needs to be accomplished and get to work.
Since I can also view my calendar, it’s easy to see when I have open slots to check those tasks off the list. Using Asana allows me to always know what’s ahead.
Kelli Anderson, Career Coach, Resume Seed
Prioritize a Good Night’s Sleep
Get a good night's sleep. Having a productive, successful day begins the night before. If you’re exhausted, you’re less likely to be sharp at the office and more likely to get distracted or ill. Getting proper rest each night puts you in the best position to thrive in the workplace.
Josh Weiss, Founder and CEO, Reggie
Throughout the day, I found myself returning to these strategies whenever I needed a boost. And by the end of the day, I felt proud of what I had accomplished. Thanks to the advice of these experts, I was able to make the most of my morning and set myself up for success.
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