Are you up before the birds start chirping or are you the later riser who gets the kids to school as the assembly bell rings? Whatever time you get up in the morning, it’s important to have a good routine as it will help set the tone for the rest of your day. bsmart has looked at the morning habits of a few highly successful people and found these six similarities.
- Write your to-do list
To wake up feeling that your day is going to be under control, Business Insider suggests that you actually write your list the night before. Take time to think about your tasks and prioritise them, also taking into account your overarching goals. Make sure that your list is clear and that it’s as realistic as it is ambitious. Now you can switch off work mode and relax.
- Wake up at the right time
Not everyone can wake up at 5am every morning and function efficiently, some people have different circadian rhythms. According to Sleep.org, “your brain is actually very good at knowing when it’s time to sleep”, so when you better understand your body’s internal clock, set that alarm clock and wake up at the same time every day – even on weekends. This routine ultimately helps you sleep better and you’ll have a more productive day.
- The power of meditation
Meditation will “improve attention, concentration, and overall psychological well-being”, according to Forbes, which is why it has become a daily habit of some of the world’s most successful people in both the creative and business industries. However, if you feel that meditation just isn’t for you, try listening to music or reading, so that you have some quiet time to prepare yourself for the day ahead.
- Get active
Walk the dog, go for a run, head to the gym or take a Pilates class, whatever activity you enjoy doing, set it for the early morning. While it’s important to get the blood moving, it also means that your activity will be done for the day and there’s less chance that you’ll skip it later if work gets too busy. A healthy mind and a healthy body go together, so start your day with regular physical activity and you’ll concentrate better in the day and sleep better at night.
- A balanced breakfast
All meals are important, but if you have a balanced breakfast it provides you with the energy you need to sustain you through the morning – when you need to be functioning at your best. Sitting down to a breakfast with your family also allows you to spend a little more time with the people who really matter, and you can enjoy your meal rather than eating on the run. Remember that as a bsmart member you can use your bsmart card to stock up fresh fruit, low-fat dairy, whole grains, lean meats and veggies – and you can earn cashback on your purchases. To find the closest retailer in your area, click here.
- Eat that frog!
There’s a book written by Brian Tracey called Eat that Frog! where he compares your most challenging or important task of the day to a frog. If you tackle this important task first, the one you’ve probably been avoiding for a while, then everything after that is manageable. Take his advice and identify your frog, then eat it first thing in the morning, when you’re at your freshest. And if you have two frogs “eat the ugliest one first”.
Of course your daily schedule will be different to someone else’s, it’s about finding out what works for you and then sticking to it.
At bsmart, we aim to help our members live smart, spend smart and save smart, and we do this by sharing useful lifestyle information and advice, such as making your groceries last longer, connecting your wallet and waistline, and kicking a healthy eating habit into gear. We help our members save, bsmart also pays out cashback bonuses every three months or annually. To learn more about bsmart contact us or click here to sign up directly through our website.
Disclaimer: bsmart does not provide medical advice. The above article is for information purposes only. Please consult a suitable and qualified doctor or medical professional if you require specific medical advice.