What is your morning routine and how is it working for you?

I have been a student of effectiveness for over 30 years and have always been curious about the rituals or routines that people perform on a daily basis. So when I spotted the book, “My Morning Routine – How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired,” I was intrigued.

Secretly I was interested in seeing how many of my routines stacked up, as I fancy myself a successful person. Next, I turned it into a competition, eagerly comparing my routines to those illustrated in the book. While it never truly was a competition, I took great pleasure in knowing my morning routines compared quite favorably with those of the “successful people” featured in the book.

I get up early, between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m. each day. After feeding the pets (we have one dog and three cats), I ease into my day with a guided meditation, followed by some inspirational passages, and at least 30 minutes of reading. I then eat breakfast, check email for anything that may affect my day, shower and get dressed. Next I review my appointments for the day followed by identifying my focused 3 -5 most important activities for the day.

While I am happy with the impact of this routine, I was becoming quite aware that my biggest opportunity was in creating routines for both the end of my work day, and the end of the day. It seemed as if many of my days ended abruptly. Periodically I would gratitude journal about what I was grateful for during the day, which was helpful and not very time consuming, yet not consistent. However, after reading the book, I was inspired to commit to a more thorough wind-down routine that will enhance both my sleep and my morning routine. So here is what I am beginning to experiment with for my evening routine.

I will begin the process of winding down at 9:30 p.m. whenever possible. After washing up and brushing my teeth, I will prepare what I will need and wear for the following day based on my calendar. Next, I will list at least three gratitudes and read a short inspirational passage prior to my head hitting the pillow. I will continue to disconnect from my mobile device and computer by 8:00 p.m. I am excited to see how this new evening routine contributes to my overall effectiveness, success, and well-being.

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