Transform your morning routine, and you’ll transform your life.
Setting your morning up for success is a practical way to optimize well-being, feel more fulfilled, and achieve your goals.
But perhaps you struggle to wake up early.
Neither did I ever consider myself a morning person. But my entire life changed once I established an empowering morning ritual.
This guide covers a step-by-step approach to creating a tailored morning routine. Design your life for fulfillment and success, and begin tomorrow on a positive and productive note.
Let’s dive in!
- What is a morning routine?
- Scientific benefits of a morning routine
- 7 Steps to create your morning routine
- 5 Morning routine obstacles
- Examples of morning routines
- My current morning routine
What is a morning routine?
A morning routine consists of the activities you do after waking up.
In other words, you already have a morning routine.
Many people snooze the alarm clock a few times, make morning coffee, and rush to work. On good days, they might eat a quick breakfast too.
Not the most productive way to start your day.
But what if you have an intentional morning routine checklist?
Imagine getting on with the rest of your day, knowing you’ve already accomplished good habits and completed a task that propels you towards your dream life.
How would you feel compared to your current morning routine?
An intentional morning routine made me feel amazing every day – not even factoring in the long-term results and benefits.
Scientific benefits of a morning routine
A well-designed morning routine is highly personal and aligns with your highest values and personal goals. When set up correctly, you’ll enjoy awesome benefits:
- Enhanced productivity and focus: Morning routines set a positive tone and establish structure. The early hours are also most quiet, ideal for uninterrupted work.
- Improved mental well-being: Including a mindfulness practice creates a calm and centered mindset, reducing stress for the day.
- Increased energy levels: Engaging in light physical activity during your morning routine boosts endorphins and improves your circadian rhythm, resulting in a natural energy boost.
- Strengthened self-discipline: Willpower is highest during the early hours of your day, enabling you to develop good habits and foster self-discipline more effectively.
- Goal achievement: A well-designed morning routine includes focus time for your priorities. And progressing towards your goals provides an early sense of accomplishment.
Every day became successful once I implemented my morning routine.
Even on your worst days, you feel somewhat accomplished knowing you took action on what matters to you.
That’s why a morning routine will increase the quality of every day – and with consistency, the quality of your entire life.
7 Steps to create your perfect morning routine
Establishing a morning routine tailored to your personal goals, core values, and other priorities provides a powerful kickstart.
It also sets the tone for the rest of your day.
But there’s no right or wrong way to create a morning routine. What matters most is that it sets YOU up for a productive and fulfilling day.
And this step-by-step approach will guide you in building a customized and empowering morning routine.
Step 1: Prepare the night before
Setting yourself up for success starts the night before.
Here’s how you can prepare your morning for maximum energy, productivity, and success:
- Set new daily goals: Identify your objectives for the following day, empowering you to start the morning with purpose and focus.
- Identify and prioritize to-do’s: Create a to-do list and organize your tasks based on their importance and deadlines. Getting your to-do’s out of your head can clear a restless mind, enabling a better night of sleep.
Planning the night before increases clarity and reduces decision fatigue in the morning, preparing you to conquer the day.
Step 2: Find your optimal waking time
Some prefer to wake up at 7 am.
Others swear by a 5 am approach.
And some vouch for a late morning wake-up time.
Your current waking time may feel like your sweet spot. But is it really? Or does it feel that way because you’ve been doing it for years?
Challenge yourself through experimentation. Challenge yourself to break old patterns and approach this step with an open mind.
Try 5 am for a month.
Try 6 am for a month.
Hack, why not try 4 am for a month?
Give yourself enough time to let the experiment play out.
When I first tried waking up at 5 am, it was hell. But I got the hang of it after a month or so. And since then, I love waking up early.
If you experimented for a while and waking up early still isn’t for you, that’s okay. You gave yourself a chance to adapt. And you at least gain evidence for your real sweet spot.
Here’s something else to consider:
Your working schedule, bedtime, and necessary sleep duration are key factors in determining your waking hours.
For example, I loved waking up at 5 am – but only when I went to bed by 10 pm.
So considering all factors, the question to ask yourself is:
What rhythm can you stay consistent with?
In practice, most people can cut down on TV or doom-scrolling on social media in the evening. Cutting it by half an hour provides a great starting point to build the foundation for an empowering morning routine.
Either way, experiment to find your sweet spot.
Step 3: Start with a quick win
Quick wins provide a sense of accomplishment, increase motivation, and boost confidence. It also ignites momentum, setting you up for more daunting tasks.
Here are some ideas to achieve a quick win:
- Make up your bed.
- Exercise deep breathing.
- Hydrate your body by drinking a glass of water.
- Engage in a short mindfulness or meditation practice.
- Practice a few minutes of gentle stretching or yoga.
- Write in the 5-Minute Journal for gratitude and reflection.
- Go for a morning walk in nature and catch natural light.
- Connect with a loved one by sending a kind message.
- Set intentions for the day, like how you want to interact.
- Engage in a brief manifestation technique, picturing yourself achieving a specific goal or living your desired life.
My quick wins consist of deep breathing with the Wim Hof Method (10 min) and visualization (10 min). Then, I’ll stretch (5 min), drink 2 glasses of water, and make coffee.
That way, I complete 4 good habits within 30 minutes.
But you can achieve several wins within minutes. For example, stretch briefly, make your bed, and drink a glass of water.
Embracing quick wins in your morning routine builds momentum and propels you towards success.
Step 4: Do what inspires you
The goal of your morning routine is to empower you, make you feel amazing, and spark momentum to drive you into bigger tasks.
So, infuse your morning routine with what inspires you.
For example, my keystone habit is writing. But before I created this habit, the idea of writing didn’t inspire me to get out of bed.
I needed something else instead.
Making coffee and reading a book were excellent ways to get me out of bed. And those were the first two activities in my morning routine, followed by my writing practice.
What inspires you to get out of bed?
Here are some ideas:
- Make a cup of coffee or tea.
- Read a life-changing book.
- Dance to your favorite music.
- Imagine your perfect day.
- Practice creative thinking.
- Brainstorm new ideas.
- Create a doodle.
- Make music.
- Paint or draw something.
- Journal for a few minutes.
- Act on a hobby or passion project.
- Reflect on your values, goals, and purpose.
- Write down positive affirmations or statements about yourself.
- Connect with nature, either by walking or sitting in the fresh air.
Engaging in inspiring activities kick-starts your day, fuels creativity, and cultivates joy.
Step 5: Prioritize health and well-being
Well-being is essential for optimal performance, whether you strive for more productivity, success, happiness, or joy.
Improper health devalues any of your efforts.
Ensure to prioritize the nourishment of your mind, body, and spirit:
- Catch natural daylight by spending a few minutes outdoors.
- Write morning pages to gain mental clarity and self-awareness.
- Meditate to cultivate inner calmness and peace.
- Move your body through physical exercise, whether a brisk walk, stretching, yoga, or a complete workout routine.
- Fuel your body with a healthy breakfast, incorporating nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein.
- Stretch your body to activate your metabolism and improve flexibility, boosting energy and a healthy posture.
- Practice breathing exercises, such as deep belly breathing.
- Express gratitude by writing a few things you’re thankful for, shifting your mindset towards positivity and appreciation.
- Start with an act of kindness, whether sending a thoughtful message, helping someone in need, or contributing to a cause.
- Take a moment for self-care, engaging in skincare, grooming, or enjoying a warm bath.
Prioritizing health enables you to show up as your best self – and thrive.
Step 6: Do what’s most important for you
This step is essential to achieve your life goals.
When I worked in my 9-5, I lacked time to work on my dreams as I was often too tired to focus in the evening.
A morning routine changed everything.
But I only achieved success when I worked on my goals BEFORE spending my energy on everyone and everything else, like work.
What are your goals and dreams?
And what essential steps must you take to get closer to achieving your aspirations?
Here are key principles and ideas to consider:
- Eat the frog: Tackle the most challenging, complex, or highest priority task early on when your mind is fresh and focused.
- Practice time-blocking: Schedule specific time blocks for different focus areas to avoid multitasking and promote efficiency.
- Cultivate deep work: Allocate uninterrupted time during your morning routine for deep, concentrated work.
- Prioritize your goals: Dedicate a consistent and specific period in the morning to your personal or professional goals.
- Develop high-income skills: Identify essential expertise to succeed in your career and life. Implement a block of studying, reading, deliberate practice, or other preferred learning style.
- Build vital habits: Identify essential habits for growth and success, like practicing a new language if you want to live abroad or working out to get fit and enjoy vitality.
Dedicate a section of your morning routine to what truly matters to you. It bridges the gap from your current situation to your ideal life. And it changed everything for me.
Step 7: Allow for flexibility and spontaneity
My initial morning routine checklist included 10 items.
A huge list that crippled action and led to procrastination.
I had to scale down to the essentials.
But step 7 isn’t just for beginners.
In fact, staying flexible is even more important once you cement your routine and practice it for months or years.
After all, priorities change over time.
So, does your morning routine still match your needs?
For example, I used to research in the morning but also wanted to write. And since I prefer writing in the morning and have no preferred time for research, I threw the latter out of my routine.
Consider the following elements:
- Allow for spontaneity: Structure is beneficial, but if you prefer space for unexpected opportunities, keep some flexible space.
- Review and adjust often: What’s working well? What no longer aligns with your goals? What drains your energy? What tasks take time from more essential activities? Let the answers guide you in creating your best routine.
- Tweak and improve: Fine-tune your morning routine through consistent experimentation – and pay attention to each adjustment’s impact on your energy, focus, and well-being.
- Embrace adaptability: Be flexible in the face of uncertainty and life events. Modify your routine if needed.
- Stay open-minded: Practice curiosity by inviting, exploring, and experimenting with new ideas, techniques, and strategies.
- Enjoy the process: When your morning routine feels like a chore, change to regain a sense of joy, fulfillment, and growth.
Embrace flexibility for a dynamic, refreshing, personalized morning routine that suits your ever-evolving goals and needs.
Overcoming morning routine obstacles
I’ve struggled with morning routines, especially when I still had my day job.
And I know that I’m not alone.
So let’s uncover some common issues and how to overcome them.
#1: I’m not a morning person
A rare minority works better at the later hours.
But that’s not most people.
Aren’t you a morning person because you’re used to sleeping late? Or have you tried sleeping and waking earlier for months – and it still didn’t work?
In the latter case, fair play to you.
But I know that 99% of you consider yourself “not a morning person” because of habitual behavior.
And in that case: At least try it for a (couple of) months.
Here is an effective method:
- Sleep earlier than you currently do. You can change your bedtime in 30-minute increments until you reach sleeping and waking hours that suit your needs and schedule.
- Gradually adjust your waking time by setting the alarm a few minutes earlier each day. Or also use 30-minute increments.
- Create a pleasant morning routine that inspires you to jump out of bed – and forget everything else for now. Adjusting to a morning routine is a great first habit to develop.
Discover the hidden morning person within yourself.
#2: I’m not disciplined enough to wake up early
Lacking discipline often stems from an unclear “why”.
Why do you want to wake up early?
You’re reading this post because you want to improve your life, whether that’s more success, well-being, or fulfillment.
But let’s dive a little deeper.
Answer the following questions:
- Why do you want to create an empowering morning routine?
- What’s the immediate impact of developing this new routine?
- What are the long-term rewards and achievements you envision by consistently practicing a morning routine?
- What are the short-term and long-term consequences of not implementing this routine?
- How will waking early impact your productivity, focus, well-being, personal development, and the overall quality of life?
- What impact do you expect from an empowering morning routine on your mental, emotional, and physical health?
Writing down the answers on a piece of paper cements your reasoning, reminding you of why you do what you do.
#3: I’ve got no time for a morning routine
Not having time isn’t a problem for most people.
Having the wrong priorities is the problem.
Of course, there are exceptions for those with fluctuating schedules or working night shifts. But even then, there are creative solutions, like varying routines or shortening them on busy days.
That said, most people do have time.
For example, if you wake up at 6 am because work starts at 7, why can’t you wake up at 4 or 5 am?
Of course, that means going to bed earlier – and that’s exactly where the problem lies for most people. You may prefer “relaxing” before bedtime and don’t want to sacrifice your social media or TV time.
That’s a priority problem – not a lack of time.
Consider the following solutions to overcome the time problem:
- Consider your priorities to identify what matters most. If you prefer hours of relaxation in the evening, that’s fine. Just don’t expect to achieve other ambitious goals and aspirations.
- Evaluate your current schedule and identify non-essential activities to eliminate or delegate.
- Streamline your routine by combining tasks or finding other efficient ways, such as preparing breakfast in advance.
Overcome time constraints by setting priorities, streamlining activities, and eliminating non-essential tasks.
#4: I’m not convinced about the impact of a morning routine
Okay, so what can you do about it?
Here’s an idea: try it for a decent amount of time.
Most people decide before they even try. And that’s unfortunate because they rob themselves of life’s unique gifts and experiences.
Don’t let that be you.
Instead, have an open mind and an experimental attitude.
Craft a morning routine harmonious with your aspirations. You can always go back if it doesn’t provide the expected benefits.
In the worst case, you obtain self-awareness and experience.
#5: I’m not motivated enough in the morning
Neither was I.
Getting out of bed is challenging, especially if snoozing is your default.
And what helped me was to get very clear on what I wanted and, more importantly, WHY.
But even then, writing couldn’t always get me out of bed…
Instead, I implemented inspirational activities, like making coffee and reading a few pages from these book recommendations.
A major obstacle is the comfort of a warm bed.
When it’s cold, consider preheating the bathroom in the morning. I always had my sweatpants and bathrobe ready to conquer the Dutch winter mornings.
Not motivated for other reasons?
Ask yourself why – and keep questioning why until you find workable answers. I’m sure we covered the most common problems, but let me know if you’re struggling with other challenges.
Just know that adjusting to a morning routine can take time, especially if you followed the previous routine for years.
Breaking habitual patterns takes time and deliberate effort.
Examples of morning routines
If you’re wondering about the morning routines of some successful and happy people, here’s a brief inspirational list:
- Tim Cook (CEO of Apple) starts his day at 4:30 a.m. to kickstart his productivity. He begins by reading emails to stay informed and respond to important messages. Then, Cook exercises for energy and focus, and finishes his routine with a nutritious breakfast.
- Elon Musk starts his mornings by tackling critical tasks and emails to address important matters early on. By focusing on high-priority work during the morning, he sets the tone for a productive day.
- Oprah Winfrey prioritizes mindfulness and intention setting in her morning routine. She starts with a meditation practice to cultivate a calm and centered mind. Next, she engages in light exercise or yoga to invigorate her body. Finally, she enjoys a nourishing breakfast while reflecting on her goals and aspirations for the day.
- Benjamin Franklin (Founding Father) also followed a structured morning routine. He woke up early, often before sunrise, and devoted time to personal development. This included reading, writing, and reflecting on his virtues. By nurturing his mind and character in the morning, he set himself up for success.
- Michelle Obama emphasizes physical health in her routine. She combines cardiovascular exercise and strength training, which keeps her fit, boosts her mood, and improves mental clarity. Following her workout, she enjoys a breakfast that fuels her for the day ahead.
These examples highlight how successful people incorporate different activities tailored to their goals and values.
Each morning routine is unique – and there’s no right or wrong approach.
My current morning routine
Morning Ritual Mastery inspired me to create an empowering morning routine. Since then, I’ve experimented with various variables:
- From doing way too much to doing too little.
- From many quick wins to only focusing on key tasks.
- From starting anywhere between 5 am and 9 am.
- And from 15-minutes to 2-hour routines.
What I noticed was that there’s no single best morning routine. And what’s perfect today might not suit your needs tomorrow.
So, I recommend adopting an experimental mindset.
And here’s my current routine as a result:
- Night before: Reflect on the day, review goals, and plan the next day (10 min). The tool I use to organize these items is Goals on Track, a goal-tracking and planning software with an integrated habit tracker. I recommend it to anyone serious about their goals, dreams, and aspirations.
- Night before: Evening meditation to wind down (15 min).
- Wake up between 7 and 9ish. Since I moved back to Australia, my bedtimes are less consistent than I like. But since I work from home and serve clients in different time zones, I often work till late. Ideally, I would sleep around 10ish and wake at 6ish.
- Deep breathing with the Wim Hof Method (10 min).
- Visualize my dreams and who I want to become (10 min).
- Stretch my body with a short yoga routine (5 min).
- Drink 2 glasses of water whilst making coffee.
- Read a non-fiction book to improve specific skills or obtain general knowledge on a broad range of topics (20-30 min).
- Write for at least an hour but often until noon.
- Make the bed after letting it air in the morning.
This morning routine sets me up for a good day. Later at noon, I’ll go for a workout, take a cold shower, and enjoy a big dinner feast.
But I’m sure my routine will change over the years.
What’s next?
When you change your morning routine, you change your life.
It’s true.
Taking control and dedicating time to the most important aspect of your life makes a significant difference in your success and happiness.
Key takeaways of this article:
- Tailor your morning routine to align with your goals, values, and priorities. And consider joy, focus, and health as key elements.
- Experimentation is essential for self-discovery and awareness, which allows you to design YOUR perfect routine.
- Consider your evening routine and bedtime when creating the optimal morning routine. Sleep quality impacts your energy, focus, and mood in the morning.
Also, check out these resources to unleash your morning warrior:
- Tool: Goals on Track is the tool I use to set goals, plan my day, align tasks with aspirations, and track daily habits.
- Course: Morning Ritual Mastery by Stefan James is the course I took to create my morning routine.
- Book: The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
- Book: The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma
Finally, sign up for the weekly newsletter for personal growth tips and strategies to create a more authentic and fulfilling life.
