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Let’s talk about morning routines: Why are they important and how can we implement a new routine if our current routine is no longer working for us.
I was an early morning riser for years. Then I met my now husband who had a wacky change-all-the-time schedule, and all of a sudden, I was staying up until 2am and dragging my tired body out of bed at 8:55 to make my 9am meetings on time (WFH worked really well for me in 2016). Once we had children, the lack of sleep from middle of the night wake ups had me rising for the day when my girls woke up and from there, it felt like I was playing catch-up all day long. I never had time to sit quietly or plan my day. I would look at my calendar and attempt to carve out 20 minutes here or there for a workout or shower. It wasn’t until I decided to launch my freelance business that I knew something had to change if I was going to succeed.
I began reading Hal Elrod’s “The Miracle Morning” on a whim, and I found it both informative and motivating. Before even finishing the book, I woke up at 5am the next morning and drank coffee in perfect silence. I spent a few mornings just drinking coffee, finishing the book and exercising before 7am. Hal coined the term, “Life S.A.V.E.R.S” (Silence, affirmations, visualization, exercise, reading and scribing) for his morning routine, and while I don’t follow this method perfectly, I try my best! Most mornings, I read, exercise and write. I haven’t perfected the affirmations part or the visualizations, but I’m working on it. I also want to meditate more during my day to center myself and send out as much gratitude as possible – research shows that expressing gratitude can increase happiness and benefit physiological and psychological health.
In the past few month of early wake-ups, I have been very productive. I’ve written tons of content, planned my day, responded to emails, read up and researched things I’m interested in to help with my writing, enjoyed no rush exercise and prepped for the morning once my girls awake. I also find that I am more creative and innovative in the morning. This is definitely not the case for everyone – I know many writers who enjoy writing late into the night (or morning), but for me, mornings are best.
The great thing about Hal’s method is that you can technically do it any time of the day – as long as you’re completing the steps (in no particular order). So if you happen to be a night owl, feel free to try some of his S.A.V.E.R.S and see if it increases your mood and success. I saw such a difference in my energy levels, productivity and overall happiness in such a short time. I hope you see the same results!
Let me know how you start your day.