Mornings are my thing. I love getting up early. (No really, I do.) I geek out knowing that I’ve accomplished more before 7 a.m. than the average person does in an entire day.

I know, I know. MOST people in the world don’t share my same enthusiasm for pre-dawn productivity. I get it.

Yet…

Research shows that mornings can be a prime opportunity to optimize the rest of your day. Just because you’re not a joyful person prior to 10 a.m. doesn’t mean you can’t make the early hours more productive and successful!

Build Momentum In The Morning

1. PLAN YOUR DAY

Spend at least 15 minutes in quiet solitude just focusing on what you need to accomplish and prioritize in that day. Look at your schedule and see what you have to do (appointments, pressing deadlines, etc.) and then reverse-engineer everything else.

2. PREP THE NIGHT BEFORE

When at all possible, set yourself up for success the night before. Before you go to bed, have a general idea of what you will eat for breakfast, pack your lunch (if need be), and decide what clothes you’ll wear in the morning.

Having an evening ritual not only helps calm your thoughts after a busy day but also gives you peace of mind to allow you to sleep more restfully.

Bonus points if you actually draft a morning schedule. I do this on Sunday nights and I find that chunking out my morning is incredibly helpful with time management!

3. RESIST CHECKING YOUR PHONE

Raise your hand if you sleep with your phone beside your bed. (Or worse—under your pillow!) I use my phone as my alarm clock so the first thing I tend to do in the morning is grab it and start scrolling though Facebook, Instagram or email.

Bad idea!

Email and social media consumption first thing in the morning starts your day off with other people’s lives and priorities. Use your mornings to focus on YOU. Email can wait for 15 minutes. Make it a point to claim the early hours of the day as your time.

4. MAKE YOUR BED 

Want to start your day with order? Of course you do. Then, make your bed! Sounds silly but this is one small action will help you feel accomplished and organized right away. (And really, it takes 60 seconds. No excuses!)

5. MOVE YOUR BODY

It’s been proven that the fastest way to change your state is through movement. When you move, it immediately begins to affect how you feel. I personally like to go for a run or take a walk. This time with nature instantly inspires me and gets my creative juices flowing.

You know what also works wonders? Turning the radio up and singing at the top of your lungs. It’ll scare the guy next to you in traffic, but it will make you feel fantastic!

6. GRAB A MOMENT OF GRATITUDE

Forget what happened yesterday. Be grateful for the new day and all of the opportunity you’ve been given. Pray, meditate, journal—whatever you do, work gratitude into your early morning ritual and you can’t go wrong!

What ritual gets you motivated in the morning?