Have you ever been described as a ‘morning person’?
Maybe people prefer to call you a ‘night owl’.
It’s common for us to define ourselves as the type of person we are either early in the morning or late at night. But how does this relate to you being more productive?
Evening routines are vitally important, but today, we’re going to look at the importance of the morning routine. More specifically, we’re going to consider how and why it can make you more productive.
We’ve all read or heard about the successful CEO billionaire who wakes each morning at 5am (even at weekends). For these people, this early morning start has enabled them to scale greater heights with their businesses than they ever thought possible. Or so we’re told.
This might lead you to believe that you need to get up at 5am too, if you want to be super successful.
The truth? You don’t have to do that at all. Unless it genuinely works for you, which for some people is the case (‘morning people’, specifically).
But, if you struggle in the mornings, here are two reasons that 5am start isn’t needed:
- you, like every human on this planet, have your own natural rhythm. If you’re not cut out for early mornings, that’s absolutely fine.
When you’re having a bad day, there's a strong chance it got off to the wrong start. And, often, this is because your morning routine was out of whack.
Virtually everything you do each day will be tempered by how you started the day. If it was a great start, you’ll approach even the biggest challenges the day throws at you with a far more positive mindset.
The ‘body clock’ isn’t an old wive’s tale - it really does exist.
It’s actually more specifically known as the ‘circadian rhythm’, which is a 24-hour cycle we all experience. It’s responsible for the balance we have between sleeping, eating and various other activities.
It also greatly influences willpower. This can be thought of as a form of energy which drives us to do everything we do. This energy is at its height right after a restful sleep. As the day passes, willpower is used and subsequently depleted.
If you have a consistent, effective morning routine, your willpower will remain far stronger, and will also last for longer.
It might not always feel like it, but just like dogs, humans love habits. We practice rituals in so many areas of our lives because they provide us with security, routine and rewards.
This is exactly how you should approach your morning routine. The more consistent and predictable it is, the more easily your mind will be able to get on with, and cope with, whatever tasks and challenges present themselves each day.
Unless you genuinely benefit from waking up at 5am each day, just focus on a morning routine that works for you.
The key lies in consistency. Your body and mind are at their best when you commit to consistent sleep patterns and a consistent morning routine. Don’t let them down.
