Rise and Shine: 8 Morning Routine Habits of Leaders and Top Performers

Research shows that most successful people have daily habits or routines that help them be more productive, stay on track with their goals, and thrive in their life. 

What are they doing that’s so different from you? And, is there something you might be able to add to your daily routine to make you more productive? 

Lets review the 6 habits of high performers so you start your day with better focus, clarity, and more productivity!

The Ultimate Morning Routine

Wake up at YOUR Right Time

A lot of us are told that most successful people wake up and get more accomplished in the morning, but, everyone isn’t made the same. 

Set your schedule accordingly to help you perform at your maximum ability.  This will make you more alert and more productive.

Tip: You have to find what works best for you and set up your routine.  For me, I work best early in the morning, so I try to wake up by 7-8.  Then prioritize my own morning routine, getting a good workout in and having some time to myself.  Once I start working, I prioritize my more challenging tasks 1st (because I work better earlier in the day).  I’ll work on writing, creativity, and big picture planning.

Get your Body Moving

Starting the day moving your body will increase your levels of productivity.  This could be working out, or something simple like stretching, taking a quick walk, just something to get your blood flowing. 

Get Hydrated

Top performers realize the importance of hydration.  Starting the day drinking water, because no matter how much water you had the night before, after sleeping your body wakes up naturally dehydrated.

Dehydration is also linked to decreased mental performance.  So, counteract this by drinking water to fuel your brain for high functionality.

Set Your Intentions for the Day

Having the right mindset is getting clear on how you: show up for the day with the right energy, interact and respond with those around you, and have clear boundaries that will guide your intentions for the day. 

So, set your intentions for the day before you get caught up in emails, meetings, and distractions.  Lead your day before it leads you!

Practice Mindfulness

Even if it’s just a couple minutes a day, it’s important to reflect and remind yourself how far you’ve come.  Journaling can be helpful, having clear goals, visualization, affirmations, meditation, grounding, and thoughtful gratitude.

Also, check-in with yourself to ensure you're going after the goals and life you want.  Too often, people get caught up in the vision others have for their lives and lose their motivation and drive. 

Prioritize Your Wellbeing and Self Care

Top performers perform at their highest level when their well-being is taken care of, and self-care is a priority. They realize they have to put themselves first so they can accomplish their goals and show up for those around them. 

They understand the vision of what is often told to us in an airplane: putting the mask on ourselves first and then helping those around us.

Self-care habits can include getting fresh air outside, being self-reflective,  continued learning of reading or audible, taking care of your health. Scheduling time for work/life balance, spending time on relationships that support, encourage, and build you up.

Set Your To-Do List

Top performers realize having a clear to-do list enables them to focus on priorities, making their time more efficient, and increasing productivity.  Having a list keeps you focused, so you don’t get sidetracked, or let the day gets away from you without accomplishing what you need to get done.

Organize your list by taking the time every night or at the end of the workday to evaluate your next day’s schedule, tasks/projects, and goals while making a list of what your next day will look like. 

Also, factor in when you can time batch tasks of similar nature as your making your schedule or to-do list.  

Start with the Most Challenging or Small Win Tasks

High performers realize the importance of taking advantage of the morning to tackle those challenging tasks or smaller tasks for small wins to motivate you to keep going. 

Starting with the most difficult task, or as "the frog" as Brian Tract, author of the book, "Eat the Frog," refers to.  This is tackling that one hard project requiring critical thinking, attention to detail, and maybe it's also the project or task you're least looking forward to.  Tackling this first gives you a clear head ready to focus on getting it done before the day progresses and you have other distractions.

For others, it might be spending the morning tackling small tasks that give you small wins, leading to more momentum and productivity.  Use either of these options to kick start your day for success and find which option works best for you.  

Final Thoughts

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." -Aristotle

High performance and great results don’t just happen. Keep progressing and instilling new habits that they become routine to help you whether you’re job searching, advancing in your career, or just trying to be a top employee/leader/employee.

Try starting one new habit, commit to it for 4 weeks, and then add another one that will build your confidence! 

 Cheering you on, you got this!

- Melody Joy