One of my goals for this year is to develop good habits that would help me be more productive and stop procrastinating.
Easier said than done, I know.
I have thought about it a lot, watched several motivational videos about creating a morning routine that works, and most importantly, I started developing those habits.
If I really want my life to change, I need to start taking action.
But again, it hasn’t been easy. It was just today that I realized how important having a morning routine is in developing a habit. And here’s why —
Before I went to sleep last night, I already planned on waking up early to go jogging in a nearby University. I was able to wake up early, prepped myself to go jogging but along the way, I did this one mistake that I shouldn’t have done. I checked my phone and emails for messages.
I didn’t realize it at first but that was a BIG mistake.
On a normal day, I meditate before starting any work or task for the day. Something that I have developed since late last year. So, this morning, when I grabbed my phone [because I use an app to help me meditate], I got distracted when I saw the notifications on the screen.
I should have ignored it but I didn’t. Instead, I read the messages and checked my emails before meditating.
Why was it a big mistake? Because I received a few negative messages that automatically ruined my morning.
Even when I went ahead with meditation, it was useless because I was way too distracted. Worse, I almost cancelled my plan to go running because I wanted to address the situation asap.
Thankfully, I made the decision to go through the day as planned. I went jogging, had good breakfast and started working. Had I forego jogging, I would have been frustrated with myself because I couldn’t commit to my own plans.
And that’s when it hit me.
I badly need a morning routine that I should standby with conviction. I need to make this happen. No compromises, excuses or exceptions.
Starting tomorrow, I would start the first hour of the day, or at least 30 mins, doing things for myself. Things such as meditating, planning my day with to-do lists and reviewing my weekly goals, watching motivational videos whilst enjoying my coffee, and writing in my journal. No checking of phone or emails within this hour so as not to disrupt my morning thoughts and plans.
Checking my phone and emails comes after that one hour is up. Again, no excuses and exceptions unless it’s a life and death situation, otherwise, whatever it is, it can wait.
I already committed to meditating every morning and watching less TV each day. Not checking my phone should be easy.
When you look at it, it is such a simple routine that I know would change my life drastically. Righteously so, it’s the small things that you do consistently that contribute highly to your success.
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. — Aristotle
Do you have any morning routine that is proven effective to your day’s productivity? Comment below, I would love to hear from you!
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