The Six Morning Habits Of High Performing Individuals

Some people wake up to the chaotic sound of an alarm clock while others wake up to the enticing smell of Akara balls frying mindlessly in hot oil 2 stairs above. The way you react to the Sun greeting your eyes in the morning can determine how the rest of the day will go. Your first act in the morning can be reaching under your pillow and digging out your phone to read tweets or grabbing the nearest coffee, but do you ever wonder what Jeff Bezos and his likes do with their mornings?

It is often said “it is easier to end well if you start well” and this article aims to help you have a more productive day by highlighting 6 morning habits of high performing individuals. Read, assimilate and apply.

Do Away With The Alarm Clock- This may sound strange, especially to the residents of Lagos State, but to get a day filled with clarity you need to get a good sleep. In an Arriana Huffington ( founder of The Huffington Post) interview with CNBC Make It, she said the importance of getting adequate sleep cannot be overstated and she attributed her success to her getting more rest and prioritizing that aspect of her health.

Think about it, what does an alarm clock do? It alarms you. Why would anyone want to start the day on an alarmed note. High performing people have taught themselves to wake up naturally. Set your inner clock and sleep properly. No need to jump start your day with some sound that would set your heart racing and your ears ringing. Only use the alarm clock when you have no other option, train yourself to wake up without an aid, get the recommended 7 hours of sleep a day and watch your day get more productive.

Smile And Think Positively — Smile? Yes, do a 180 to that morning frown and grin from ear to ear. It was found that when you smile you release dopamine which is a brain chemical that influences your mood, making you happy and motivated. Sounds like the right mood to start your day with.

The mindset you have in the morning can make or derail your progress for the rest of the day. Keep your thoughts positive, do not dwell on the clownish dream you had the night before, think of all the good things you can achieve for the day and believe in yourself, do all these with that beautiful smile on your face.

Affirm Your Commitments.- Half of the world loves a good litany of affirmations, the other half find them cheesy- A high performing person redirects or crafts their affirmations as their commitments.

Words of affirmations help to direct your focus towards something of value, but to yield more you should not limit them to who you are but also to things you are committed to.

LinkedIn Learning suggests you answer these four questions to craft results-oriented affirmations:

• What are you committed to?
• Why is it very meaningful to you?
• What actions will you take to ensure your success
• When, specifically, will you commit to doing those activities?

Set an intention in the morning and check in to see how your behaviour and mindset are aligning with that affirmation throughout the day. Be the best version of yourself everyday.

Make Your Bed — A simple task like laying your bed can make you feel accomplished and that’s a good way to feel in the morning. Making your bed means you have completed one task for the day and you get some motivation to do more the rest of the day. There is also that feel-good vibe that comes with seeing a well made bed, the type that makes you smile and giddy in the morning. And you know a jolly mind is one ready to create and make success.

Morning Exercise — Exercise improves your mental health and mood. During exercise, your body releases chemicals that can improve your mood and make you feel more relaxed. This can help you deal with stress and reduce your risk of low output.

It does not have to be a rigorous exercise or one with a routine that lasts for hours, a 7 minute Yoga session can boost your energy and put you in the right state of mind that will positively impact your day

Breathing Exercise And Meditation. — Oprah said that the outside world is constantly trying to convince you you’re not enough. But you don’t have to take the bait. Meditation helps you resist.

Meditating in the morning sets the right tone for the day and keeps you calm. For beginners, your mind may wander off but with practice you would get the hang of it. Do not be discouraged if you don’t get it right at first.

Breathing can help you stay calm and get you energized , it is meditative and can help you focus for your day ahead. Breath in and try to relax, get your mind ready to have a successful day.

Eat Breakfast.- Breakfast is known as the most important meal of the day, it provides sustenance and energy for all the activities you’d have for the day. High performing people are aware of the benefits of having breakfast and they tend not to skip it.

Not eating in the morning can have some consequences that may affect your productivity.You may feel less energetic and thereby expanding fewer calories over the course of the day.

Eating breakfast helps improve one’s cognitive function as it doesn’t only help the body but it is necessary for your brain too. You get improved concentration and productivity just by having food in the morning.

Success comes from diligence and hard work, there are some factors in our life that can facilitate a successful outcome, factors like the habits we possess. Our habits are the actions we take everyday and they sure affect how our life turns out. It is important we keep and pick up the ones that are good and beneficial to us like those listed above.

Instead of snoozing your alarm clock for the 7th time, say silent words of affirmations and breath in. Practice the habits of successful people to set yourself on the path of success too.

Author — Geraldine Ojukwu — Lead Content Creator at Urbane Aries.

About Urbane Aries — We are a Nigerian based Creative Agency that helps African Businesses and Organizations connect to and reach their audience through effective Social Media Management Strategies & Digital Public Relations. Chat with a Social Media Consultant today.