My Morning Routine

If you’ve ever squandered away a morning or afternoon at work and wondered how time flew by without you accomplishing anything worthwhile you’re not alone! Countless people waste time each day for various reasons. Maybe they don’t know how to manage time well or allow too distractions to keep them from what they actually should be doing. Maybe they’re not focused or clear on their purpose. Over the years I’ve had plenty of days come to an end leaving me unfulfilled and at a loss as to whether my day was productive at all! That was until I learned a few very important things that I’d like to share with you. In this blog I share 3 keys to making sure your day is both productive and fulfilling! Here is my Morning Routine:

Key # 1

Start the Night Before

“It’s incredible to realize that what we do each day has meaning in the big picture of God’s plan.” -Bill Hybels

If you want to assure you’re going to have a meaningful and successful day you have to start the night before. Every night before bed I spend some time in thought and I identify all that I want / need to accomplish the next day! I then write those things down and prioritize them! I ask myself if I were to only get one, two or three of these things done which should I do first? Lastly I make sure to get to sleep at a decent hour so that I’m ready to go early in the morning!

Key # 2

Establish a Morning Routine

“This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving something in its place I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss — good, not evil. Success, not failure in order that I shall not forget the price I paid for it.” -Unknown

Mornings are sacred! How you start your day will greatly impact how the rest of your day goes. Most people allow this time to be haphazard at best never realizing the potential it has. But those who accomplish great things in life have discovered the great importance of establishing a morning routine! Here is my morning routine:

Pray – In His presence He makes known the path of life and fills us with great joy (Psalm 16:11) It’s in this time of prayer that I receive direction, I am filled with life and greatly inspired! I also take time to pray for those dear to me, those I’ll encounter throughout the day and those hurting around the world.

Read – First and foremost I read Scripture however I also read devotionals, articles or blogs on faith, family, leadership, success and other subjects that pertain to things that are important to me.

Speak Life – Similar to the quote above, “This is the beginning of a new day…” I’ve created a list of declarations that I make daily. I speak God’s Word over my life, my family, my ministry, etc. This is a greatly affirming and faith building time each morning and it also clarifies my assignment and all that I’m believing God for!

This list isn’t exhaustive but these are some of the most important things. Of course I eat breakfast, get cleaned up for the day, love on my family and work out a few times a week as well! The bottom line is you need to create a morning routine that works for you and then stick to it (at all costs)!

Key # 3

Know You Why

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain

When you don’t know why you’re doing what you’re doing you’ll often lose motivation, get easily sidetracked, be less productive and often feel unfulfilled. However, on the other hand something powerful happens when you discover your “why.” Purpose becomes clear, focus and productivity go through the roof and great fulfillment is derived all from knowing your “why.”

John C. Maxwell shares a story of a man who came across three bricklayers hard at work. The man asked the first bricklayer what he was doing. “I’m laying bricks,” he replied. He then asked the second bricklayer the same question. “I’m putting up a wall,” he said. The passerby then asked the question one more time, this time to the third bricklayer. His response was, “I’m building a cathedral.”

It’s clear one was working for a paycheck, one maybe a sense of accomplishment but there was one who knew not just what he was doing but why he was doing it! He had caught the grand vision of people one day gathering from all over to worship, he knew the importance of his work and it was certainly for more than a paycheck!

It’s through my nightly and morning routines that I not only become more clear on my “why” but I also keep it always before me! It’s the power of vision and it’s what has compelled all the greats throughout history!

So, remember if you want to have a productive and fulfilling day start the night before, become clear on your goals, establish your morning routine, pray, read, get inspired and know your “why.”

What’s your morning routine? What are the practices that help you have a fulfilled and productive day? I’d love to hear! Please comment below! And if this has been helpful consider sharing it with friends, colleagues and on social media.