Photo by Aphiwat chuangchoem
Another year is coming to an end, which means now is the time we start to really focus on ourselves. Gild Collective wants to help you as you consider ways to change, refocus or improve your life. Therefore, we will be focusing this month’s blog posts on how to become your best version of you.
We’ll start with what we have found to be a recurring theme for many successful women: The morning ritual. Regardless if you are a night owl or morning person, we all start our day at some point, albeit a little differently. And while we realize no routine is a one-size fits all, we can learn a lot from the morning habits of highly-successful women. Since we are all trying to set some new routines for the New Year, now is the perfect time for some healthy inspiration to kickstart our mornings ready for success.
1. Wake up earlier
Starting the day slightly earlier allows you time to complete all the important tasks of the day without being rushed. Having a little buffer of time in the morning gives you the opportunity to ease into the day. An extra hour could mean the chance to actually sit and enjoy your coffee, prepare a healthy breakfast, exercise, plan your day—the possibilities are endless. Whatever time you currently wake up for that first meeting, try setting your alarm an hour earlier. While difficult at first, it will soon be a breeze and allow you ample time to check off your morning to-dos.
2. Start a unique mindfulness ritual
Start your day by clearing your mind. A mindfulness practice reduces stress and allows you to set your intention for the day. Successful business leaders across the globe swear by this practice as it helps curb mind-wandering, is an effective anti-depressant and anti-anxiety treatment, increases focus and more. When it comes to meditation, anything goes, from five minutes to an hour or more! If you're not a seasoned meditator, the app Headspace can help you get started with guided meditations. Long, hot showers can also serve as a place of peace and zen or find your center on your yoga mat. Self-care is the key to attacking your day with energy and productivity.
3. Set goals and prioritize
Write down your goals for the day and set a game plan to maximize the hours you have. But remember, not all lists are created equal. It is common practice to do a brain dump of your to-dos and then hope and pray you complete your list. However, without proper planning you end up staring at 90% of your list still incomplete at the end of the day. Be realistic with your list and your time and prioritize to effectively. Is there anything more satisfying than crossing something off your to-do list? Pro-tip: If it has been on your list for over a month, DELETE it, or break it down into smaller steps. It is not going to get done in its current form!
4. Eat the frog...so to speak
A famous Mark Twain quote states, “If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long." Move your toughest task to the top of your list and knock it off first. Then move on with your day with ease.
5. Practice the power of positivity
You are your best cheerleader and worst critic. Eliminate the negative head talk by throwing yourself a pep rally each morning. Start by reflecting on all the wonderful things that are happening right now and capture them in a gratitude journal. This simple act takes less than five minutes but can have a huge impact on your entire day. Allow your day to begin with the understanding of why you are putting your best efforts where you are. Believe in yourself and others will believe in you. Pom-poms optional.
6. Minimize decisions
Avoid critical decisions first thing in the morning. Prep as much as you can the night before-tomorrow’s outfit, work and gym bags, lunches-to eliminate extra work in the morning. Taking it a step further, you can remove some decisions all together. Designate a “uniform” for the office, like Michelle Obama who told Vanity Fair she only wears gray or navy suits to reduce the number of decisions she makes each day. You can also plan the same breakfast for each morning, so you know your day starts with a healthy breakfast. Avocado toast, a poached egg and a cup of coffee?
Your morning routine is crucial to ensuring a productive day. Whether you’re looking to perfect your routine or learn some new tips for clearing out any negativity and kickstarting your day, these tips are sure to get you started in the right direction to owning each one.
For more tips on how to succeed in the New Year read, “Why Your Resolution ‘Failure’ Is An Opportunity For True Success” on our blog.
How do you kickstart your day for success? Share with us your favorite rituals!