We all know the feeling, we plan to start our day with more productivity, then something happens and we lose focus. It’s a frustrating feeling, as deep down we would love to be more productive in our lives. Creating a productive morning routine with new habits that work for YOU is the only way to a fully satisfying day.

Having an official plan of scientifically proven habits will help you achieve more productivity, thus achieving more success.

This article is just that, 8 proven steps that lead to a highly productive morning routine!

Let’s get started…

1. Write Your To-Do List the Night Before

Sometimes the best way to tackle your morning’s tasks is to plan it right the night before. This leaves the morning with nothing but productivity as all the hard thinking was done already. The thought of too many decisions in the morning can paralyze you, so get into the mindset that your AM plans begin in the PM.

Get your clothes out for the next day, make your lunch ahead of time, even sleep in your gym clothes if you want to hit the gym in the morning!

2. Write Your Lists out with Pen and Paper

This seems like a simple and silly task, but it is actually scientifically proven that the pen is mightier than the keyboard. It is true that using a smartphone or laptop does help you write lists down quicker. However, it also creates a shallower memory than writing it on paper.

The simple act of physically writing can trigger your subconscious memory much deeper than typing. In fact, taking notes on your computer may be detrimental to learning!

Go buy yourself a nice notepad and pen, and make it your official note taking device. Your memory will thank you.

3. Start Your Day with Gratitude.

This could be the most powerful exercise for your life, let alone your productivity levels. Being grateful makes you happier, and when you are happier, you are more motivated. Being grateful really helps us soak in our sense of purpose, and connects us to our highest power.

If your workplace is dragging you down, and killing your productivity – practice gratitude. It will shift your mindset to focus on the positive aspects thus motivating you to better productivity.

4. Get Moving

When you feel great, you perform great. Physical exercise gets your blood pumping, wakes your body up, and gets your creative juices flowing. This doesn’t mean you need to be training for the next iron man. It could be as simple as a morning stretch,  yoga, or even a brisk walk around the neighborhood.

5. Eat That Frog

Bryan Tracy, a motivational speaker, and personal development author, bases his morning routine off of a Mark Twain quote:

“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.”

He is referring to the most important, aka the hardest task of the day. Knock it out of your way so that it is not breathing down your neck for the rest of the day. Not only does this accomplish that hard task, but it also gives you a sense of accomplishment, thus boosting productivity for the rest of your day!

6. Minimize Distractions

Eliminating distractions is the key to ultimate productivity. Put your phone in a drawer, turn your tv off, and put the kids in a closet (kidding). Put a “do not disturb” sign on your door, so people know not to bug you. Schedule time with yourself and work 50 minutes straight with 10 minutes rest to use the washroom or check your phone. after that 10 minutes, do another round of 50 minutes again.

7. Focus on One Thing at a Time

If you think you can properly multitask, then think again. Not even Superman can properly multitask! The brain can not handle more than two tasks at a time. So while thinking you are getting more done, you are actually slowing yourself down.

Having 5 unfinished tasks is not as productive as one well-completed task, so slow down and concentrate on one thing at a time! This is an essential component of a highly productive morning routine.

8. Work Smarter, Not Harder

Know when to take a break. Reminds me of a great line from Steven Covey’s amazing book “The seven habits of highly effective people”. He tells a story of a woodcutter whose saw gets blunter every time he uses it. Now as he cuts wood, it is much less efficient and takes much longer. If only he took the time out to sharpen his saw, then go back to work; he would have saved more time and money in the long run.

Sharpening the saw is the time for self-renewal. Take care of yourself both mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

When you are too overwhelmed, your productivity slows down. You basically go into survival mode, which is also not good for your mental health. Know when to take a break, then get back at it after you were able to have some “you time”.

Create Your own Personalized Productive Morning Routine

You are one phone call away from a productive morning routine. I offer one-on-one coaching that will help you break free of your self-inflicted limitations and guide you on your way to a fully productive life.

Like I always say;

“Never let your brain hit the pillow being the same it was when you woke up”.

It’s time to quite those habits that are holding you back from taking action and live the life you are meant to live.

I would be happy to help you find a plan that best serves your lifestyle.

Every productive Morning routine needs a productive nighttime routine to set yourself up for ultimate success, so check out my article where I researched the nighttime routines of highly successful people.

With love, health, and happiness,

The Fit Gypsy