7 Habits to Set Your Day Up for Success
Ever had one of those days where everything seems to go wrong from the moment you wake up? Yeah, we’ve all been there. If you want your day to run as smoothly as possible, it helps to lay the groundwork ahead of time. Prepping the night before can take the edge off the morning rush, while starting your day with a pre-set plan sets you up for success. It’s all about reducing the amount of decisions you have to make in a day, giving you more brain space and resilience to take on whatever else comes your way.
The Day Before
1) Prepare Your Environment:
Tidy Up: Make sure the places where you spend the most time in the morning are tidy so you can start your day with a clean slate. This might include your kitchen (eating), bathroom and closet (getting ready), and workspace (if you work from home). No good day starts with doing a pile of leftover dishes.
Set Visual Cues: If you would like to read or journal in the morning, have your book out somewhere you will see them. If you want to exercise in the morning, pick out your workout clothes and decide on your workout routine in advance. This provides mental reminders for these intentional habits and skips the early morning “should I do a workout” debate.
2) Plan Your Day:
Check Your Schedule: Make note of major events in your day, transition time needed between them, meal times, commuting etc. Set reminders when you need to leave, or when you have an important meeting coming up. This helps keep you on track and know what to expect.
Prioritize Tasks: List out what you would like to accomplish and order tasks by importance. What absolutely needs to get done tomorrow, and what can wait if you don’t get to it?
Reduce Decision-Making: Lay out your outfit (check the weather!), pack your bag, decide on breakfast (or meal plan in advance) and prepare your lunch. Make it as easy as possible to grab-and-go.
3) Wind Down:
Limit Screen Time: Reduce exposure to screens an hour before bed to help your mind relax after planning out your day.
Reflect on Your Day: Spend a few minutes journaling or thinking about what went well today and what you can improve on tomorrow.
Sleep Schedule: Try to go to bed at the same time each night to maintain a regular sleep cycle and wake up feeling refreshed.
The Morning Of
1) Mindful Morning:
Give Yourself Time: Wake up at least one hour before you have to leave for or log in to work. This gives you space to wake up without being rushed and jarring yourself into a state of panic right out the gate.
Morning Mindfulness: Spend a minute or two thinking or journaling about what you’re grateful for to set a positive tone for the day. This practice, combined with a few deep breaths or a short meditation, can center you and reduce stress.
2) Energizing Movement:
Exercise: Even a short walk, stretch, or quick workout can boost your energy and mood first thing.
Get Some Sunshine: Step outside to soak in some natural light, which helps regulate your circadian rhythm and tells your body (gently) that it’s time to wake up. We highly recommend choosing this habit over scrolling on your phone first thing in the morning (which totally kicks your stress response into high gear first thing).
3) Healthy Breakfast:
Nutrient-Rich Foods: Choose a protein- and fibre-rich breakfast that fuels you, like oatmeal with fruit, a smoothie with protein powder, or eggs with veggies. If you find you’re not hungry for breakfast, pack something for when you do feel like eating so you’re not reaching for convenience foods.
Avoid Energy Spikes: We’re looking at you, coffee-and-a-muffin combo. Avoid coffee on an empty stomach and carb-heavy breakfast foods that can cause an energy crash soon after.
4) Morning Mindset:
Check Your Plan: Look over your to-do list and goals to remind yourself of your priorities.
Set an Intention: Decide on a positive affirmation or particular focus for the day, such as being patient, productive, or grateful.
Bonus Tip: Stay Flexible
While routines are great, staying adaptable if things don’t go as planned can help you maintain a positive outlook throughout the day. One thing gone wrong doesn’t have to snowball into a terrible or unproductive day. Acknowledge the disappointment, or other uncomfortable emotions that come up, then refocus on the next task. If you find you have trouble with this, working with a qualified mental health professional can be a great step in reclaiming those spirals. Getting support and finding what works for you is crucial for setting your days up for success. Good luck!