Do you identify as a night owl or a morning person?
For the longest time I identified as a night owl and that was by far one of my biggest mistakes. Because of the power of thoughts and words you can unnecessarily languish over your mornings.
Making a plan and developing a routine will make a huge difference in developing your discipline and transforming how you tackle your days
Which brings me to my first point about developing a morning routine in general.
It all starts the night before.
Where it all begins.
The mindset of ending your day and starting your next day go hand in hand.
Think about the sort of mindset and preparation you do the night before your new day. If you are staying up until exhaustion doing mindless things that do not fuel your imagination or your hopes for your future. You will go to sleep with these mindless and unintentional thoughts preparing you for a poor start in the morning. It’s not as if those late night routines and habits disappear overnight. They linger just like that annoying tune or commercial jingle that you can’t get out of your head.
So, what I have tried to make a habit of doing is doing a small “mind dump” before I go to bed. Turn off the screen and write down what is lingering on your mind. I refer to a “mind dump” as writing whatever is on your mind to the page. It’s the act of getting it out of our heads and on to paper that helps us eliminate it’s presence in our minds.
Can’t think of anything? That’s okay! Consider adopting a journaling routine that includes the following framework.
Reflection:
- What went well today?
- What challenges did I face, and how did I handle them?
- How did I see God working in my life today?
Gratitude:
- List three things I’m thankful for from today.
- What was one small moment that brought me joy or peace?
Self-Improvement:
- What could I have done differently today?
- How can I show myself grace in areas where I struggled?
Looking Ahead:
- What are three priorities for tomorrow?
- How do I want to approach the day spiritually, emotionally, and physically?
- What is one thing I can do to make tomorrow a better day than today?
Now that you have some thoughts for the next day down. You want to make sure you have in place a good sleep ritual that prepares your mind and body for restful sleep. I’ll give you some ideas below, but consider writing them down for yourself and keep that routine posted on the wall to aid you as you adopt it for yourself.
First, Set out your clothes for your morning routine and prepare anything to save you time in executing your morning routine.
Dim the Lights (30-60 minutes before sleep):
Technology Shut-Down (Sleep Mode to limit distractions) (30-60 minutes before sleep)
Light stretching to release tension or partner massage (5 minutes)
Read Scripture (10-15 minutes):
Journaling and Surrender your day to the Lord (5-10 minutes)
Prayer or Affirmations (5 minutes):
Tips for your Environment: Ensure your room is cool, dark, and quiet. Consider using white noise, a sound machine, or a calming essential oil like lavender to enhance relaxation.
Additional Food for Thought before Bed
You might want to include things such as brush your teeth, wash your face, shower. Anything that helps you keep this time structured for a season and for your body and nervous system to adapt to the change. Whatever you do, stick with it for at least 40 days. Consistency is key to retraining your body and mind for a new routine.
Now that you have prepared yourself the night before, you can tackle your morning routine with confidence. Waking up and then getting out of the bed is less challenging with this already done.
One additional benefit of having a night time routine is understanding how much time you need to get to bed and to get the rest you need. Now, everyone is different and I recommend that as you progressively adapt to your new routine to experiment with what your body needs to feel rested.
There are a lot of factors that can go into this. So be sure to also keep in mind that not consuming caffeine in the evenings and not eating a late dinner can also impact your ability to get the sleep you need in addition to any other health related factors. Generally, most individuals need anywhere between 6-8 hours of sleep for your body to go through enough REM cycles to feel rested.
When We Wake
Now below is a suggested morning routine. This might be a good starting point and adapt as you need to for your own goals. Keep in mind that this is a progressive change. It’s hard to implement so many things “cold turkey” So, be gracious to yourself as you make changes and adapt your life to this plan.
Wake Up Early (Suggested: 5:30-6:00 AM):
- Start your day early to have plenty of time for each goal you have for your morning without rushing.
- Begin with a glass of water to hydrate your body after sleep. Hold off on the coffee.
Prayer & Meditation (10-15 minutes):
- Start your day with a prayer of, gratitude, worship, and guidance for the day.
Scripture Reading & Devotion (15-20 minutes):
- Open a pre selected scripture reading plan or devotion and spend time reading and reflecting on it.
- This doesn’t need to be deep bible study. Just time with the Lord in reflection of the scriptural truths you read in less than 20 minutes.
Exercise (60 minutes):
- Move your body. I think this is particularly important. Almost like making it a habit to make your bed. You need the fuel of “easy” wins to start your day. Use a simple gym split of compound movements or do a mix of cardio and calisthenics in your home.
- Morning exercise helps boost energy, focus, and productivity for the rest of the day.
Cool Down & Stretch (5-10 minutes):
- Don’t forget to stretch! Cool-down and relax your muscles to reduce stiffness.
Shower & Get Ready (15-20 minutes):
- Refresh yourself with a shower and get dressed for the day.
Hardy Breakfast (20 minutes):
- Prepare and eat a nutritious, hearty breakfast with a good balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats (e.g., eggs, sausage, avocado toast).
- Try not to cram it down. Take your time to eat mindfully.
Business Planning & Priority Tasks (30-45 minutes):
- Set aside time to focus on your business ventures or side hustle.
- Begin by reviewing your goals, then tackle one or two key tasks for the day. This might include planning content, responding to emails, or reviewing marketing strategies.
- Ensure you’re working on high-priority tasks that align with your long-term goals.
Review & Set Intentions for the Day (5-10 minutes):
- Reflect on your day’s goals and priorities, adjusting if needed.
- Take a moment to ask God for guidance and strength for the day ahead.
Now, that is pretty extensive and I have to say I have really tried to make adaptations to this plan for myself and it has taken a long time to implement in a season of young kids, sleepless nights, and busy schedules. The night before is crucial to your success. Be gracious to yourself and be compassionate toward others who might not be on the same page with your routine. Keep in mind that they are also not up to speed to your personal goals.
Whatever you do trust the Lord in it and give it to him.