**Worksheet and Post inspired and adapted from the principles behind James Clear's book "Atomic Habits"**
[2 Minute Read]
How can you set the tempo of your day? What can you do to increase your daily motivation?
Craft a morning routine.
Morning routines set the tempo of your day with momentum that motivates.
Almost a year ago I found myself on a normal Saturday at 3 pm waking up from a nap. At the time I was getting used to a new job, a new city, and a new baby. With the mental overload from the newness I was experiencing I found it hard to get going in the mornings. Especially on a Saturday. That is why in a post nap daze I with confusion asked myself, "How did I get here?". In that moment I realized I had done the essentials of taking care of the baby and eating that day. But I had not done anything of substance.
There was nothing wrong with this lazy Saturday. It was justifiable to take things slow. Yet, I was curious if there was more. It seemed like most days I never got into gear completely. Tied to that, there were certain days that felt hyper productive but what led them to be felt elusive.
The next day, Monday, I found myself at 3 pm at work being very productive. I was knocking down task after task. I realized my morning routine had been the key that had propelled me into an amazing day! Upon reflection I remembered something that had happened earlier that day, at 5:45 am. In an early morning daze I had looked around myself and noticed I was on the sidewalk walking to the gym.
That meant that when I woke up on Monday morning I followed the path laid before me. I turned off my alarm and drank the water next to my alarm clock. The water seemed to wake me up from the inside as I took a big swig. Then I saw my workout outfit and put it on and headed out the door.
By the time I was awake completely I was on the sidewalk walking to the gym wondering how I had gotten there. I was so pumped that I was going to hit my target activities of drinking water and exercising.
It felt like this morning routine had defined the rest of my day for me in advance. I felt ready to take on the day. This energy and motivation ended up spilling over into the rest of my day.
Morning routines set the tempo of your day with momentum that motivates.
[2 Minute Read]
How can you set the tempo of your day? What can you do to increase your daily motivation?
Craft a morning routine.
Morning Routines
Morning routines set the tempo of your day with momentum that motivates.
Almost a year ago I found myself on a normal Saturday at 3 pm waking up from a nap. At the time I was getting used to a new job, a new city, and a new baby. With the mental overload from the newness I was experiencing I found it hard to get going in the mornings. Especially on a Saturday. That is why in a post nap daze I with confusion asked myself, "How did I get here?". In that moment I realized I had done the essentials of taking care of the baby and eating that day. But I had not done anything of substance.
There was nothing wrong with this lazy Saturday. It was justifiable to take things slow. Yet, I was curious if there was more. It seemed like most days I never got into gear completely. Tied to that, there were certain days that felt hyper productive but what led them to be felt elusive.
Testing a New Routine
The next day, Sunday, I decided to craft a morning routine to try out for the next week. I pulled ideas from "Atomic Habits" by James Clear which I had recently read. My morning routine was to consist of two things to keep it simple. Drinking a glass of water immediately upon waking up and doing some form of exercise.The next day, Monday, I found myself at 3 pm at work being very productive. I was knocking down task after task. I realized my morning routine had been the key that had propelled me into an amazing day! Upon reflection I remembered something that had happened earlier that day, at 5:45 am. In an early morning daze I had looked around myself and noticed I was on the sidewalk walking to the gym.
Transformation
"How did I get here?" was the question I had asked myself. And in that instant I filled with motivation as I realized what had happened. Sunday night I had prepared for my morning routine by doing preparatory tasks. I had put my phone on the charger in the living room instead of the bedroom. I had set my alarm clock. I had filled up my water bottle and set it next to my bed. I had selected a workout and put my workout outfit and shoes next to my bed.That meant that when I woke up on Monday morning I followed the path laid before me. I turned off my alarm and drank the water next to my alarm clock. The water seemed to wake me up from the inside as I took a big swig. Then I saw my workout outfit and put it on and headed out the door.
By the time I was awake completely I was on the sidewalk walking to the gym wondering how I had gotten there. I was so pumped that I was going to hit my target activities of drinking water and exercising.
It felt like this morning routine had defined the rest of my day for me in advance. I felt ready to take on the day. This energy and motivation ended up spilling over into the rest of my day.
Morning routines set the tempo of your day with momentum that motivates.
Worksheet
Check out the WORKSHEET to craft your own morning routine.