Avoid Your Phone for the First 30 Minutes

A good morning routine can set the tone for the entire day. If you start your morning right, you’ll feel more productive, focused, and in control. But the problem is most of us hit snooze, scroll through social media, and rush into the day feeling unprepared. So, how can you fix this and build a strong morning routine?

1. Wake Up at a Fixed Time (Even on Weekends)

Your body loves consistency. Waking up at the same time daily helps regulate your internal clock, making you feel more refreshed. If you sleep at odd hours and wake up randomly, you’ll always feel tired.

If you wake up at 6:30 AM on weekdays but sleep till 10 AM on weekends, your body gets confused. Instead, aim for a fixed wake-up time (say 7 AM daily) to stay energized.

2. Avoid Your Phone for the First 30 Minutes

Most people check their phones right after waking up, but this instantly floods your brain with distractions. Instead of reacting to messages and notifications, start your day with intention.

✅ What to do instead?

• Drink a glass of water.
• Stretch or do light exercise.
• Take a few deep breaths and plan your day.

3. Move Your Body (Even for 10 Minutes)

You don’t need an intense gym workout, but some form of movement wakes up your body and boosts energy.

✅ Options:

• A quick 10-minute stretch.
• A short walk in fresh air.
• Basic yoga or bodyweight exercises.

Apple CEO Tim Cook wakes up at 4:30 AM and starts his day with exercise. Many successful people prioritize movement in the morning.

4. Plan Your Day (Instead of Letting the Day Control You)

Take 5 minutes to list down your top 3 priorities for the day. This helps you stay focused and avoid wasting time on unnecessary things.

✅ Example of a simple to-do list:

• Finish project report by 12 PM.
• Call a mentor for career advice.
• Spend 30 minutes learning a new skill.

5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast (or at Least Stay Hydrated)

Skipping breakfast can lead to low energy levels. If you don’t feel like eating early, at least drink water or have a fruit to start your metabolism.

✅ Healthy options: Oatmeal, eggs, smoothie, nuts, or a simple banana.

Avoid sugary cereals or junk food that make you sluggish.

6. Use a ‘Trigger’ to Start Your Work/Productivity Mode

A trigger is something that signals your brain, "It’s time to get to work!" This could be:
✅ Drinking a cup of coffee or tea.
✅ Playing a specific music track or instrumental.
✅ Writing down your first task for the day.

Author Haruki Murakami follows a strict morning routine where he wakes up at 4 AM, writes for a few hours, and then runs. His ‘trigger’ for writing is sitting at his desk at the same time daily.

7. Don’t Make It Too Complicated!

Many people fail at morning routines because they try to do too much at once. Start with just 2-3 simple habits and build from there.

✅ A simple beginner-friendly morning routine:

• Wake up at 7 AM.
• Drink water and stretch for 5-10 minutes.
• Plan the day with top 3 priorities.
• Have a light breakfast.

A strong morning routine doesn’t have to be fancy it just needs to work for YOU.