“I’m not a morning person.” We’re all guilty of using this excuse on those ever-repetitive and difficult workday mornings, but with a few simple changes to your workday morning routine, you can make those early mornings a bit less painful.
Revitalize Your Workday Morning Routine
1. Don’t press snooze. Period:
It’s easy to hit the “snooze” button when your alarm rings you to reality on those cold, dark mornings, but don’t do it! Ever. Refusing to press snooze will give you those extra couple of minutes you need in the morning and will save you from being rushed and hectic when you get to work.
2. Eat a healthy, balanced breakfast:
It’s the most important meal of the day! Do yourself (and your colleagues) a favor by eating a balanced breakfast (and no, 4 cups of coffee doesn’t count). It will keep you from being the cranky pants everyone avoids in the morning, and will give you the energy you need to stay focused and happy throughout your workday.
3. Take time to relax:
Have a cup of coffee (or tea). Read a chapter of your new favorite book. Whatever makes you happy, do it in the morning. Your workdays can run you ragged, so taking time to sit and relax will physically and mentally prepare your body and mind for the rest of your day.
4. Make a to-do list:
Making a to-do list first thing in the morning will guarantee that you don’t forget to do any task throughout your day, no matter how small. It will also allow you to keep track of what you’ve accomplished, and give you the satisfaction of being able to check off items.
5. Prioritize:
Name one task on that to-do list that absolutely needs to be done within the first hour or two of your workday. Our brains work best in the morning, so use that time to do your most important or toughest undertaking. Checking off that big task at the beginning of the day will make you feel accomplished and will save you the stress later.
6. Get to work early:
This will give you a chance to settle in and get started with as few interruptions as possible. Plus, leaving for work early means less traffic and a shorter commute.
7. Don’t check your email first thing in the morning:
Unless it’s urgent, don’t open it! Spending your morning going through emails is a major waste of time. Read the important ones, and save the rest for later on in the day when your deadlines have passed and your priority projects are completed.
8. Make important calls and send urgent emails ASAP:
Get in touch with someone as soon as you get to the office to ensure that they have a full workday to respond. That way, you won’t have to stress at the end of the day when you don’t have access to the information you needed.
9. Check in with your team:
A quick morning meeting with your team can make all of you more productive and organized. Take 5-10 minutes each morning to get input on projects or share your most important goals of the day.
10. Give a simple “good morning” and SMILE:
It may sound cheesy, but research actually shows that smiling can improve your mood and the mood of those around you. Give a smile and say good morning when you see people around the office, it’s sure to be contagious!
By Annie Lennox via Your Coffee Break.
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