Many of us are haphazard with our morning routine, often leading to rushing to get out the door in time. Pay attention to what you do in the morning, and what actually needs doing and then optimize your routine.

Coming up with a routine can be a daunting task. Your routine does need to be complex, in fact it is wise to keep it simple to not deter you. I have followed these 7 simple steps each morning for years, and so can you:

• Drink a glass of water – Stimulates body functions and provides a great initial boost of energy.
• Pee – This may seem odd to include, but it is an important and oft overlooked step. Peeing improves mood and focus. I bet your bladder is full after hours of sleep too!
• Slowly turn on lights – If you are like me and rise before the sun, sudden illumination can be jarring. It makes me grumpy. Slowly turning on lights simulates the sun rising and your body responds more naturally.
• Make coffee – Stimulates the cardiovascular system, kickstarts the brain, and is a mood enhancer. Not a coffee drinker? No problem, substitute with your drink of choice.
• Read personal growth material (Like this site! ) – Gets the brain moving in a positive direction. Your morning attitude will likely stick with you through the day.
• Review the day’s calendar – Gets the brain prepared for the tasks of the day. I find I am more confident knowing the big expectations of the day.
• Move and reflect – Light physical activity that allows your brain to roam free: shower, walk, etc. Reflection is a powerful tool. Use it before you start your day to provide inspiration for the activities ahead.

Is your morning optimized to provide lasting motivation through the day?
Where can you improve your morning routine?

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

The post 7 Steps to Starting Your Day Well appeared first on Ben Lobaugh Coaching and Training.

Take a look at the rudder of a ship, it is amazing that something so small, compared to the rest of the ship, could possibly control it. That rudder has an amazing effect on ships, no matter their size. The first hour of your day may not seem like much, but just like the rudder of a ship, it has a huge impact on the rest of your day.

Without a doubt, I have found this to be true in my own life and the lives of my coaching clients. I know from observation that when I linger in bed to catch a few more zZz, or snuggle with my wife or even start the day with a drawn-out breakfast and tv show that the rest of my day will be similarly lazy. I have a list I know needs to get done, but no motivation to accomplish anything.

On the other hand, I have found that when I get right out of bed when the alarm goes off, stumble out to the kitchen and down a glass of water, my morning starts off motivated. By the time 5:45 AM rolls around I have gone through the rest of my routine- make coffee, prep my desk for the day’s activities, read over training material, and take one sip of coffee- and I am ready for one of the Daily Growth Calls I host.

The end of the Daily Growth Call marks an hour I have been awake and I am ready to tackle the day. An informal survey of friends and clients reveals the same result, those who achieve great results during the day start their morning with particular intention.

It may seem daunting to get out of bed and hit the ground running, and it is at first, but you will quickly become accustomed to your routine and even look forward to your rudder time each day.

What can you do to create a rudder for your day?
What activities each morning will help you be motivated and productive during the day?

Photo by Maximilian Weisbecker on Unsplash

The post The Rudder of the Day appeared first on Ben Lobaugh Coaching and Training.