Morning Routine Reboot?
The morning routine. How much have you heard about the morning routine over the last while? Regularly I am aware of people talking about getting up at the crack of dawn, journaling, meditating, working out, having a cold shower all before coffee and breakfast. Now, let’s be clear, science backs a lot of the list above. As well, many, many people credit their success to a routine like this.
So, my thoughts? What works for you? What is working for you currently? What hasn’t worked for you in the past? What is possible in your current situation? What is not yet possible?
There is value to all of the above-the list in the first paragraph that helps some people accelerate their days, and there is value in your answers to the question in the second paragraph. What matters most is that you get real about what is important to you, what you are lying to yourself about and make a commitment to yourself in whatever you decide.
What I believe is key, is experimenting with different options, keeping what works and tossing what doesn’t. BUT! The “tossing what doesn’t” needs some more attention before we move on. If for very good reason, you have identified a purpose for getting up earlier (e.g. more time for physical activity or self-care practices, or to get some work done on an important project) then I am going to invite you (insist that you?) try this new routine for at least 40 days. Yes, at least 40 days. And, do not make an excuse to change this routine because it is hard. You have identified how important it is and YOU ARE WORTH IT. By the way, there is a VERY big difference between an excuse and a reason….that’s for another blog post.
So, one might ask about my morning routine? Well, to be honest, it is a very important part of my day, my mental health and my success. And it has been tossed upside down so many times in the last year, I have been constantly rebooting my morning routine according to the questions I asked above.
Pre-pandemic, up at 6 am, shower, make coffee, check my calendar, laying out a specific plan of attack for my day and check my emails and all messages. Now, interestingly many, MANY people swear that this is something that will sabotage one’s day, that is, checking messages and emails within an hour of waking. And, I listened to that message from high-performers for a while and tried to adjust accordingly. That is, not checking my messages until I had been up for two hours. BUT, by the two-hour mark, my family was up and needed my attention and then the stress of the biz vs. family pull was too strong and I felt scattered and behind schedule, by the time everyone was out the door and I got to work.
And in the pandemic, our family schedules and situation has changed (we welcome a sweet doggie into our family!) and therefore, I continue to revamp my morning routine and still fight for that time I know that I need to be my best self. It continues to change, BUT I know it will settle as time goes on, so roll with what is right now.
So, this is the reminder-I know me best and I decide what works for me. And that is what I want to convey to you. You know yourself best. If your current morning routine is working, that is, making you feel cool, calm and collected and leading to a productive day in the way that you need, then why change it?
On the other hand, if you are feeling overwhelmed and behind schedule, before the day really even gets rolling, it is time for a reboot.
If you need some help with the process, please reach out deanna@deannalangfordcoaching.com
I wish you an awesome morning routine, leading you to an awesome rest of your day!
Deanna