In order to be successful, it’s often good advice to do what successful people do. People like Tim Cook, Michelle Obama, Bob Iger and Bill Gates who have a pretty good track record.
So what are they all doing?
A lot of people will say the only way to be successful is to rise before the sun and that might be true for some people. Tim Cook and Michelle Obama are well-known early risers, getting up at 3:45 a.m. and 4 a.m. respectively.
However, billionaire investor Warren Buffet doesn’t rise until after 6, telling PBS in an interview, “I like sleep”. Apparently so does Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg who doesn’t get to the office until 10:30 a.m.
When it comes to being successful, while getting up early can certainly get you ahead of the game, a study done by the Psychology Department at the University of Sacred Heart in Milan Italy concluded that those who do their best work in the evening are often more creative. The important thing for your body to function at its best is to get enough sleep. Studies say between eight to nine hours are ideal.
So while you’re setting your goals for the day, make a note to give preference to sleep!
You’re probably not surprised to hear that most people come up with their best ideas in the shower. That’s actually not that far-fetched.
Thanks to the warm water your body is being encased in what scientists call an “incubation period”. Your body is able to relax and feel good and is, therefore, able to release the chemical Dopamine which is what allows the creative juices flow. Renowned neuroscientist Alice Flaherty concludes that “The more dopamine that is released, the more creative we are.”
But just how creative is our brain getting?
Well, you won’t know until you hit the showers. Literally!
Taking a shower in the morning is one of the best ways for your body to disconnect and quiet in the mind. And as a result, you know that problem you were mulling over the night before? Well, your brain has subconsciously been working to provide you with a solution and it’s only when your mind starts to wander that it gets a chance to plant those ideas in the forefront of your conscious mind.
Hence “shower thoughts”. It reminds me of Ares from Wonder Woman accept minus the evil warmongering and the fact that he probably wouldn’t show up in your bathroom.
One of the most helpful things to do in the morning is to go over the day’s schedule and set goals for yourself.
While major goals are a definite for a successful life, focus on the little ones that you want to work on for the day that will in the end help meet the bigger one. That way you won’t feel overwhelmed.
Having a “To Do” list is a great way to help people stay motivated and on track with the day’s tasks and we don’t have to remind you how great it is to check them off. Surprisingly, one of the founding fathers was an avid scheduler. Benjamin Franklin was so meticulous about his “To Do” list, he would wake up each day at 4 a.m. to start it.
Whether it’s for ten minutes a day or only twice a week, the endorphins from exercising your body have proven to be a huge factor when it comes to running on full steam and meeting your goals of success.
Dr. Travis Bradberry mentions in his study that “it improves your self-control and energy levels over the course of the entire day.”
Getting your workout in first thing in the morning will not only help wake your body and mind up but it will release the body’s soothing neurotransmitters that help your brain stay in control of impulses. No amount of Wheaties will do that so plan to get moving!
Universally known as the “most important meal of the day” it is often times the most skipped. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast not only gives your body the fuel it needs to accommodate the burned calories from your workout but it also will give you healthy energy to begin your day.
Check out these superfoods to give your body what it’s craving.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to pour yourself a glass of room temperature lemon water.
Why room temperature?
Because cold water will only shock your system and it won’t be able to absorb the nutrients the lemon provides.
Why lemon water?
A half or whole lemon in the morning has a ton of benefits including:
Battles constipation-the citrus often helps in the bowel area to give stubborn visitors the push out the door it needs.
pH Balance-lemon water is a well-known natural remedy to help harmful bacteria in your urine to take a hike. Bye Bye UTI’s
Immune System Boost- Move aside oranges, lemons can give your immune system the vitamin kick to help ensure it stays healthy as much as possible.
Rehydrate-After you’ve finished your morning workout, instead of reaching for those expensive sports drinks, go for the lemon water. The hydrate just as well!
One of the first things you might be tempted to do in the morning is checking your email and by all means, go for it. Along with setting your goals for the day, most successful people start their day by responding and creating emails. And a big benefit to doing so is it will help you understand how your day is shaping out and you can create a more efficient goals list.
Prioritizing your time is one of the biggest factors in making the most of your day (or night) and you want to utilize your time wisely.
Successful people definitely know their way around navigating their mornings to be as efficient as possible and with these six tips you can make your future just a bright.
