You may feel that you’re busy all day every day, but that you don’t accomplish very much. This happens to a lot of us. You may not realize it, but the way that you start your day can set the tone for the entire day. When you start your morning in an unproductive way, that may carry on throughout the day.
Let me ask you this. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up each morning? For many people, it’s go to your phone (or computer) to check email, Facebook, or other social media. While yes, it can be for work related reasons, it can lead to immediately getting bogged down in routine “have to do” tasks.
The problem with this is that the next thing you know, it’s lunch time and you don’t feel like you’ve gotten anything done. Each of us has our own morning routine and you should take some time to create your own so that it benefits you.
The first hour of your day is important as it sets the tone for everything that comes after. It’s a good time to deal with matters that most require our focused thinking and problem solving. Remember that you need to think about what works best for you, as not everything will work for everyone. Here are tips on how to make the best use of your first hour of the day.
Don’t Check Your Email
Most people feel that they need to check their email first thing in the morning. Do you know how many messages you respond to per day? It could be well over a hundred. Your email inbox is a clutter of different conversations going on at the same time. Starting by tackling all this is likely to make you feel drained by the time your first hour of work is over.
Of course there will be some emails that need your response. If you know that there are some that cannot wait an hour or so, then your best strategy is to glance at the emails. If you come across an email that you must reply to right away, do it quickly and then close your email. Later on, you can go through the rest of your emails and reply to others that needed your attention. This should only take a few minutes and no longer.
Look at the Big Picture
The first hour of your day is a good time for looking at the big picture before you get started on the fine details. Look at your calendar and think about what’s happening in the coming weeks or months. Review what’s most important and touch on your values and goals.
If you have your goals written out (and this is a very good thing to have!) this is a great time to read them over, reminding you what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. With the big picture in mind, it’s much easier to decide what needs to be done today and what should be done first.
Make a To-Do List
If you don’t know what you’re working on yet today, this is a great time to create a to-do list. If you really want to control your time for the day, set a time limit for each item. Use a timer to stick to the times you set. You don’t want to have too many items on your to-do list for the day, as you could be setting yourself up for failure. You may find that it’s easier to create your to-do list the night before. That way you know where you left off and what you’ll want to continue with the next day. It’ll also leave you with more time in the morning, as you’ll only need to re-read your to-do list instead of taking the time to create it.
Choose a reasonable and productive stopping point for each so that you make sure you get other things done that are important to you.
Meditate
You may find that meditating in the morning is something you’ll want to do. It will make you feel more focused for the rest of the day. You may also find that you are more productive when you meditate for a few minutes every morning. You’ll also feel calmer when you start the day with a short meditation and that feeling can carry throughout the day. This is a great way to feel in control of your life as well. It only takes 5-10 minutes to do, and with many great benefits is something to consider adding to your morning routine.
Read a Book
Many people like to start the day off with a book. It can be hard to find time later in the day to read, and this routine will make sure you get the time. It’s a great way to start off the day learning something, or by enjoying yourself if it’s a book of fiction.
Exercise
Some people like to start off the day with a walk outside, some light exercise, or even a big exercising session. You’ll have to see what feels right for you. It can give you energy to start your day, and make you feel good that you’re doing something that’s good for your body.
Get Motivated
Do you feel fired up when you watch/listen/read something motivating? Most people do. That’s why spending a few short minutes each morning taking in something motivating can be helpful. By the time you finish you’ll be ready and excited to start accomplishing things and will get more done.
Drink Water
You’ve likely gone 8+ hours without drinking any water, and you need it. This is a great time to have a class of water. If you become dehydrated, you’ll have less energy, motivation, or focus to get things done. This small thing will help you stay on track.
Do Something Fun
You may want to start your day with something not at all work-related. For example, set aside 20 minutes to indulge in a hobby. This allows you to wake up and start the day in a good, relaxed mood. You may feel less harried than you would starting to work right away.
What Works for Your First Hour?
Try out a few different ideas for the first hour of your day and take notice of how it affects you. You might want to keep a journal or jot down some notes. Notice how your energy levels feel throughout the day and whether you have any stress. Once you find a morning routine that works to get you started and productive, put it into practice.
Enjoy,
