I’ve heard it from many different people in different forms, from Navy Drill Sergeants to motivational speakers, celebrities like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and even our positivity superstar, Hal Elrod, in his Miracle Morning series—master your morning to master your life.
The gist is always the same, even if the way it’s stated varies. Beginning your day with a disciplined routine that sets yourself up for success will carry through in other aspects of your life.
If you prefer sleeping in or through the morning, claim you’re not a morning person, or stay up late only to stumble groggily around during the a.m. hours of the day, you might be cringing to hear this: those who wake up early and keep a consistent, positive routine see huge, positive changes in their lives and are better equipped to handle what the day might bring.
I know once I implemented a better morning routine for myself, I really saw these changes occur!
For years now, I’ve been following the exact routine I’m going to share with you below. Sure, I’ve missed a day or two here or there, and it’s easy to get derailed—even with good intentions. The important thing is still having a solid routine to return to.
Life is often go-go-go, putting progress and constant development at the forefront of success. Becoming the master of managing your own priorities is imperative. However, sometimes you have to take care of a sick child, work early or late, or even hit pause on your own life and support others.
Once I step away from my priorities and get rolling with those outside tasks, events or situations that may arise, I have a hard time returning to taking care of myself or making myself the priority again—that’s something you may experience, too.
My morning regiment isn’t perfect, but it is a North Star to help me keep walking in the direction of the best version of my life. Through disciplined practice, it’s also become so ingrained in my existence that it feels second-nature and a major help in improving my own sense of stability and preparedness.
Since focusing on starting each and every day the right way, I’ve experienced a transformative shift in mind, body, and soul…as well as my career, relationships, and more.
Before we even get into the nuts and bolts of my daily habits, I want to mention that God is always my top priority, and I choose to honor my faith with everything I do. Faith is the light that I follow through the dark to guide me.
My morning method actually starts the evening before. Prior to bedtime, I quickly review the next day’s schedule, mentally preparing so my head can hit the pillow with the knowledge that I’m organized and ready for the next day. This is also my time to linger in gratitude a bit, and reflect on the day to feel thankful for anything great that happened that day.
My Mastered Morning Ritual:
1. I always wake up at least two hours before my first appointment or when I need to be in the office each morning.
a. This allows me one hour just for me so I can engage in my morning steps without feeling rushed, and another hour to get myself ready and set up for the day.
2. Once I rise (after taking out my puppies and making my tea), the next thing I do is make my bed.
a. This may seem like a trivial chore, but it serves a fundamental purpose! Making my bed allows me to gain momentum by accomplishing my first task of the day, as well as helping me feel mentally organized. It also helps my room feel organized when I return to it at the end of the day.
b. If you don’t believe me that a small thing like making your bed can make a difference, read the book, “Make Your Bed” by US Navy SEAL and Admiral William H. McRaven. Admiral McRaven also has many YouTube talks about this topic that are helpful to listen to if you don’t feel like reading!
3. One important aspect of my early morning routine is that I never pick up my phone, check social media, or turn on the TV.
a. Studies show that checking our smartphone and scrolling through social media first thing in the morning sets the stage for increased levels of anxiety, stress, depression, and negative thoughts throughout the day.
b. If I pick up my phone, I’ll inevitably start checking emails or answering calls and texts, and pretty soon, I’m in full work mode. To counteract the urge to pick it up, I make sure my phone is off or in a different room during my cherished morning time.
c. One thing that can help is setting a mantra for yourself, like “hang up and hang out,” so you remember to spend time with yourself and remain present during your morning routine.
4. Because my faith is a priority in my life, I set aside time to read a devotional and my Bible each morning.
a. It’s become one of the bright spots in my life, and I look forward to it every day!
5. An extension of that morning study is reviewing my affirmations, which I do next.
a. I set goals, go over my Bucket List, and actually visualize as if I’ve already achieved those items. One of the big focuses at GoBundance Women is adventure and completing these bucket list items—join a membership today to get guided help and meet women ready to adventure with you!
6. The next step to my morning routine involves journaling and documenting my feelings, observations, and hopes from everything I’ve just read or thought.
a. Bible study and journaling takes me about 30 minutes total.
b. Putting pen to paper is crucial, and studies show that just writing down your goals allows you to achieve them at a higher rate than if you didn’t write them down!
7. After journaling and reflection with my faith, I meditate for about 5-20 minutes. There’s no one “right” way to meditate, although most people sit quietly and focus on their breathing as they clear their mind to focus on what really matters. For me, watching meditation-inspired videos on YouTube or Abide is my favorite. There are many resources out there, from apps to streaming platforms, that can help guide you through meditation.
a. Research shows that meditating even for 15 minutes helps promote mental clarity, emotional health, soothes anxiety, and improves the quality of sleep. I know it works like a charm for me!
8. Along with some quiet introspection, I like to get in some fast-paced cardio activity. I take a walk or hit the weights at this point in the morning.
a. I absolutely love the feeling of getting a great workout in before preparing for work, and if I don’t have time to do it in the morning, I will exercise the night before or that same evening. As long as I get a great workout in, it’s a victory!
b. It’s important to note that if you can’t stick to your morning routine for one or two days, it’s okay to readjust and do things later! If it becomes consistently hard, you may need to reflect on and readjust your routine as a whole.
9. My morning ritual concludes with a healthy breakfast to fuel my busy day, and I definitely include a hot cup of coffee—which is well earned by this time!
a. I do my best to eat balanced nutrients and also get some protein in so I can maintain solid energy levels as I move from the morning into my day.
10. The last thing I do before I leave the house or start work is to set my attitude to gratitude and service because that’s the mindset I want throughout the day!
I encourage you to try this morning routine for a couple of weeks and see how you feel. Even better, adapt it to create your own daily ritual that works best for you.
Your routine doesn’t need to be as buffed out as mine is—it took me weeks and months of practice to implement the morning routine that works best for me. Start smaller with your routine, and then work your way into adding in more or taking away what doesn’t work for you.
When you master your morning, the discipline and skills you build will follow you into other areas of your life to help build a foundation of preparedness. This structure will provide you the freedom to feel capable and ready, and give you a sense of stability to lean on.
