Set yourself up for success each day by adopting these highly effective habits
According to Inc. Magazine, morning people have been found to
be more proactive and more productive. But what exactly do they do to
set themselves up for success?
Here are five habits successful people have developed to start their days on the right note. [TWEET]
They wake up early
Many successful professionals and political figures, from
Square CEO Jack Dorsey to the U.K.’s former Prime Minister Margaret
Thatcher, believe in an early start to the day.
If you’re a self-proclaimed night owl, consider taking this seven-day challenge set by Fast Company’s Rachel Gillett. Click on the following link to find out what happened when Rachel and her readers woke up ‘insanely early’ for one week.
They make time to exercise
Exercising, even for as little as 30 minutes each morning, can
make a world of difference throughout your workday. In fact, when you
exercise in the morning, your metabolism gets triggered and remains
elevated for hours, helping you feel energized throughout the day. Carve
out time in the morning, before your workday begins, to get in your
workout. Can’t be bothered with the gym? Check out this 30-minute workout from Health.com.
They eat a healthy breakfast
This one should be a no-brainer by now. Scientists and
successful professionals alike have been lauding the benefits of a good
breakfast for decades. Breakfast provides the nutrients and energy
needed to jump-start your day after fasting for six to ten hours
overnight. Willpower is also at its highest in the morning, so choosing a
healthy breakfast sets the tone for the decisions made during the rest
of the day. Strapped for time? Prep your food the night before, and try
out one of these 34 healthy breakfasts for busy mornings.
They meditate
According to the Huffington Post,
meditation helps lower stress levels, improve cognitive functioning,
creative thinking and productivity, and can even improve your physical
health. Because of this, many corporate leaders are finding that
meditation helps them deal with the stress and pace of their
high-pressure roles. Cisco System’s Chief Technology and Strategy
Officer, Padmasree Warrior, told the New York Times
that meditation “is like a reboot for your brain and soul.” By taking a
few minutes to meditate each morning, you can set your mind and body up
for success during the rest of the day. Check out this list of top meditation apps for your iPhone or Android to learn how to get started.
They visualize their day
Benjamin Franklin had it right: “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” [
TWEET]
Successful people tend to be notorious list-makers and planners. Spend a
few minutes in the morning mapping out the rest of the day, and which
projects are most important to complete. Prioritize these and get them
done early in the day when your willpower is still high. Think about how
this day fits into your larger goals in life, and visualize what it
will be like to get there. Realizing your
larger life goals helps keep your motivation high as you perform your least-favorite tasks.
