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5 minute read
RULE YOUR DAY
Developing A Morning Routine
BY DOMINIQUE HUFF
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Ok, tell us about it.
“Well, I brush my teeth, pick out my outfit, shower, eat breakfast, check social media, watch the news, shoot off a few emails, figure out if I’m packing a lunch or buying lunch.”
Well, those are things you have to do for others, even though you included grooming. But what are you doing for your self-care and making sure you can rule the day.
“Well, I do check my emails, social media, look at my stock apps, make sure I eat breakfast, got my lunch, leave before I get stuck in traffic and such?”
Nope, still not it.
Don’t worry. Many of us didn’t have a clue about having a good morning routine. Yours truly included. We’re so caught up in multi-tasking, juggling many things, making sure our obligations are done for others, but we’re not taking care of ourselves.
Dr. Glory Inyang, a personal trainer based in Atlanta, recently discussed this concept.
“You need time for you,” she said. “The routine is for you, not for business nor family tasks.”
She stated that the morning routine needs to help get you inspired and works on your selfcare. It includes grooming beyond shaving, combing your hair but something you skip over like flossing or some quick exercises. Or it can be starting your day with water first before getting your coffee.
“Everyone will have a different morning routine. What may work for one person will not work for another individual,” she explained. “I’m up and at it due to my line of work at 3 am because I have clients who want to train before work. So I need to make sure my mind is in my zone before I service clients.”
A significant piece of advice is evening preparation.
“By taking 30 minutes in the evening to get yourself together, you can save three hours in the morning,” she said.
An evening routine can be as follows:
Meal Prep For The Next Day.
Go ahead and place in the fridge the meat you will need from the freezer, or do that glance to see if you will need to go to the store for those needed items. This is also a good time to make your lunch plans for tomorrow, along with breakfast. If you have leftovers for lunch, pack the Tupperware with the meal at night, so all you need to do is bag it with your plastic silverware and napkins.
Prepare Your Wardrobe.
What are you going to wear to the office tomorrow? Are you suiting and booting? Is it a casual day where you want to break out the jeans or shorts? What type of shoes are you wearing tomorrow? Sneakers, sandals, hard bottoms? If it’s a sandal day, look at your toes to see if you need to trim your nails. Again, you already know what you want to do—iron your garments.
Handle That Housework Now!
Wash those dishes, sweep the floor, vacuum, or whatever. All too often, we’re washing last night’s dishes in the morning, attempting to do some quick housework when we need to focus on getting the day started.
Bathe or Shower At Night.
Now for some of you who exercise in the morning, this may not be optional, but for those of you who just say, I’ll do it in the morning, we’re talking to you. Why not do this at night? Especially during the colder months. Also, get that shaving done while you’re at it!
Charge Up Your Devices!
Cellphones, laptops, tablets, or whatever you use daily. Ensure these items are plugged up before you go to bed so they are fully charged in the morning. Nothing is worse than realizing you forgot to charge your laptop or phone.
Send Off That Morning Email Now!
Use your prep time to send off any emails you want to go out before heading to the office. It’s easy to get stuck on the computer. We’ve all done it. We’re talking team member emails, emails to clients, or any business-related email that needs to be sent off immediately, not things that can wait until you arrive.
Pack Your Laptop, Bookbag, Gymbag Tonight!
You hit the gym daily, so have that bag packed with your needed items. The same thing for your bookbag or laptop bag. You waste too much time trying to make sure you don’t forget anything in the morning.
Make To-Do List.
This list will help you stay focused tomorrow at the office and be focused.
This is not all exhaustive but can help make sure you’re ready to rule your day in the morning.
Now, let’s talk suggestions for the mornings for your self-care:
Take Your Supplements!
Get back on track and schedule. Take them in the morning before your breakfast.
Sit In Silence for 15 Minutes!
Do not hit snooze on your alarm. Get up and sit in silence. Think about your day ahead, brainstorm on how things will get done. Preplan. Meditate, pray (if you’re religious or spiritual). Do not check any email nor social media at this time.
Drink a bottle (or glass) of water at least 16 ounces.
You slept all night. You need to hydrate. Do this before you make your coffee.
Do Lite Basic Exercises.
It can be 20 jumping jacks with 20 push-ups. Stretch and do some light movement to get your blood circulating for 20 minutes. You may want to go on a morning jog or run. If you have a treadmill or exercise bike at home, use it for 20 minutes.
Eat A Good Protein Heavy Breakfast.
It can be a smoothie, shake, organic cereal, eggs and gluten-free bread, whatever, have a healthy protein-rich breakfast.
Recite Affirmations!
Find some affirmations related to your personal goals and recite them for 5 minutes. You can also sleep to meditations via YouTube for goals you are trying to achieve.
Arrive At Your Office Early.
Give yourself at least 30 minutes of quiet time for reflection before starting any work. This should be a time with no phone calls, no emails, nothing but you and your thoughts. From that point, begin to attack the day. For those in blue-collar professions, you can sit in your car, do this, and then go clock in.
Your morning routine should be a way to ease you into the day without feeling drained by the time you start at the office. Find out things that can work for you and commit to them for 30 days. After 30 full days, this should come as second nature to you, where you are now prioritizing yourself before you can serve others.
Remember, you are your best investment! Don’t neglect yourself for others. Let’s stop that bad habit!
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