Are all successful morning routines created equal?

There are many articles out there saying you need to have a successful morning routine.

So where does that leave you when you're not so organised in the morning? Do you wake up as late as you can, have a quick shower and grab a coffee as you rush out the door? While this process might be time-effective, it's probably not regarded as a successful morning routine. More often than not you'll probably start or end your work day feeling drained or overwhelmed.  

Some high-achieving CEOs (like the CEO of Apple) get up at the crack of dawn, work out, answer all their emails AND set out a plan of attack for the whole day. Now even if you are a morning person, that can be a bit of a stretch. And if you’re not a morning person, it can be downright unattainable. 

Yet routines are what prime you for success. You’ll achieve more, think clearly and be able to determine work that actually matters in relation to your next work day. 

The best way to tackle a successful morning routine (or evening one for all you night owls) is to set out what you want to accomplish, then take baby steps in order to do so. And be honest with yourself, knowing that there will be things that just don’t work for you.

What is a routine?

Before we determine what constitutes a successful routine, let’s establish what a routine is. As a fixed sequence of actions, washing your face before getting ready for bed is a routine. Waking up early to hit the gym is a routine. Even watching Netflix in bed is a routine. These are all things that follow a repetitive rhythm in your life - whether they’re healthy or not.

How can a successful morning routine help your business?

Humans are creatures of habit, and when we practice routines, we’re more likely to accomplish what we set our minds to. That’s because our brains eventually switch to autopilot, just following the motions as you work through a familiar structure. 

Think about this in relation to business. Just how your brain automatically knows to turn the coffee machine on in the morning - a habit that has been ingrained over years - you can train your mind to begin the day by thinking about the most important tasks at hand. 
Science has proven that our self-control is limited and it depletes over time (throughout our work day) so your first task should be the most important, or at least one requiring heavy focus or will power.

What if you are not a morning person?

But, as Kate McKenna, High Performance & Mental Fitness Coach points out, where does that leave those who are not morning people? Are they doomed to have unsuccessful, unproductive work days?

She states, to create a successful routine, you need to listen to your body. If you’re not a morning person, don’t force yourself to be as you’ll end up draining your brain and burning out. 

There are a few things you can do to implement a smart evening routine and safeguard your productivity; all from the comfort of the evening before. 

Set out your tasks list

Figure out what you want to complete, and then schedule them in so you can hit the ground running in the morning. 

Dedicate time to complete more complex tasks

If you have the flexibility to go into work later and work longer into the evening when your brain is fired up, it might be worthwhile to get some of the heavy hitters off of your task list and enjoy an extra hour sleep-in. 

Don’t forget to shut off

If you’re a night person, it can be hard to stop the rampage of thoughts late into the evening. But this can be a detriment, especially before bed. Take some time for yourself to relax, unwind and get a good night’s sleep. That’s also part of a successful routine. It will make the morning feel a little less painful.

It’s not about whether you’re a morning or evening person. Don't force the 'dedicated morning routine' if it's not right for you. The key to a successful routine is to figure out what works best for you.

Take some time right when you wake up, or right before you go to bed to set yourself some clear goals. This will give you the direction you need in order to achieve them. You’ll feel more productive and have more opportunities land in your lap.

All without having to be the CEO of Apple.