Everyone is looking for a magic bullet that will shoot them straight to success—without the hassle or hard work. The unfortunate truth is that this quick fix solution doesn’t exist. Success is founded in daily habits that put you in the right place at the right time to grab success when it shows up.
Success looks different depending on who you ask. But there is a common thread that runs through the lives of those who are living their dreams … they have great habits. Think of what you can implement in your life as you read through a few of our recommendations.
Make Your Bed
The moment your feet hit the floor in the morning, make your bed. It’s an important first step of the day, not only because it helps you not want to crawl right back in, but it also sets your day up right. Admiral William H. McRaven of the U.S. Navy wrote a whole book around this idea.
He says, “If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. And by the end of the day, that one task completed, will have turned into many tasks completed.”
Making your bed is the gateway to a better day and a good habit to start with … plus your bedroom will look so much nicer!
Wake Up Earlier Than You Think You Need
Famous people are notorious for waking up early (have you seen Mark Wahlberg’s morning routine starting at 2:30 a.m.?), and there seems to be a good reason for it. Having dedicated quiet time every morning before the rest of your house is awake to get yourself ready for the day is a power boost.
Some things to do in the first few hours of the day could include:
- Prayer/Meditation
- Exercise
- Making a quality breakfast (Pop-Tarts® as you run out the door don’t count!)
- Journaling some thoughts
- Reading. Here are a few titles to get your started!
- Making your list of top three things you want to get done that day (keep reading for help with this!)
Giving your brain a few hours to warm up in the morning before you do heavy mental lifting at work will help you make good decisions and be ready for anything!
Make a Plan
Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Having a solid plan for your day helps you spend your time wisely and fit in everything that needs to happen.
When you plan your day, make a checklist or have a calendar to write everything down (your phone calendar works great if you aren’t into paper and pen). Then go through these steps:
- Write down the “have to’s” for your day. These are fixed appointments, like medical appointments, work meetings, and other priorities.
- Pencil in your flexible tasks. These are ones that need to be done but are not nearly as constrained by time. Think grocery shopping, taking the dog for a walk, and stopping by the post office.
- With whatever time you have left block in daily tasks, work projects, and relaxation time. You can be as detailed as you want here. For example, you could block out 2 hours for a specific work project, or you could break it down into smaller tasks. It all depends on how you like to work.
Be Consistent
It is in the consistency of habits that you will be prepared for success. Your salary, the size of your home, or the car you drive don’t affect your ability to form good habits now. Start today, and don’t stop doing these things, even after you’ve reached your goals. These are the habits that will help you be the best version of yourself. Looking to learn more about these little habits that will make a big difference in your life? Try out Atomic Habits by James Clear, who wrote a whole book about it.
Now that you’ve got your daily habits under control, consider incorporating your faith into your morning routine.
