Create the Perfect Morning Routine
If you want to live a simple life that is free of stress and allows you to get more done efficiently each day, then this guide on how to create the perfect morning routine is just what you need to get started.
Living a simple life is easier when you can have a plan to follow each morning ensuring you are starting out on a positive note.
Most people think that waking up in the morning is just something you do. You hear the alarm, hit snooze about a dozen times, slowly drag your feet out of bed hoping desperately that the rest of your body will follow.
You make your way into the kitchen blindly searching for your coffee and wait for things to, well…just happen. Before you know it, you have chugged down 3 cups of coffee still sitting in the same spot you started in.
You have accomplished nothing, you have no idea what to do next, and you are already running late for what you know is going to be another hectic day.
What if I told you it doesn’t have to be that way? That you can wake up with purpose and full of intention. That you can start your day knowing exactly what you need to do in order to get from point A to point B smoothly and efficiently.
How to Create a Perfect Morning routine
What you may be missing is a routine that you use to start your morning out consistently and positively.
A morning routine is what you need to completely change your life for the better. A little dramatic? I don’t think so, because it was life-changing for me and I know it can be for you as well.
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When I created my very first morning routine I was actually excited to start my day and try it out. I knew exactly what I needed to do first and what needed to be done second, and third, and so one.
I also knew exactly how much time I needed to complete each task, and by the time I worked my way through my morning routine, I was dressed, fed, refreshed, on time, focused, and most importantly…not stressed or rushed.
If you have never created a routine before, don’t worry; it’s much easier than you think. If you have created a routine before but it never really “stuck,” this simple system may be just what you are looking for.
Step #1 Start backward
In order to know where you need to start, you must know where you need to end. Whether you have a homestead, work outside of the home, or have a home-based business, knowing when you need to be gone or ready is the starting point for this first step.
If you need to be in your car by 8 AM for example, then that is your ending time for your routine. If you want to begin your day at 9 AM, then that is your ending time for your routine. To be specific, the ending time is the start of your day or more importantly when
Step #2. Make a checklist
Next, you will want to list everything you would like to accomplish to get your day off to the best possible start. Be kind to yourself and include things that are helpful for you, such as enjoying a cup of coffee, and not things like mopping the kitchen floor. This routine is for your well-being and not a to-do list of chores.
Remember your morning will set the tone for the rest of the day, so be sure to include anything that will set your body, mind, and spirit up for success.
Here are a few examples:
- Taking a walk
- Reading your Bible
- Journaling
- Meditation or quiet time
- Drinking a cup of coffee or tea
- Sitting quietly
- Doing stretches or Yoga
Step #3. Include Personal Care
In the beginning, you will want to be overly specific with your list. This means including tasks such as brushing your teeth or getting dressed. The reason is that your routine will take time to become second nature, and by having every step listed out, you will ensure you do the same things every day in the same order.
- Brush your teeth
- Shower
- Eat breakfast
- Get dressed
- Make your bed
Step #4. Add Any Extra Steps
If you want to take things one step further, add tasks that will help your day run a bit more smoothly.
- Dinner prep
- Laundry
- Feed and water pets
- Pack lunches
Step #5. Assign A Time To Each Task
Now that you have your list go back to each item and write down how long you think it will take to perform each task.
- Brush your teeth-1 minute
- Shower-15 minutes
- Eat breakfast-20-minutes
- Get dressed-5 minutes
- Make bed-3 minutes
Step #6. Put things in Order
Next, put the tasks in the order you plan to do them. You can do this by numbering each item on your list giving it a “place”.
- Brush your teeth-1 minute-4th
- Shower-15 minutes-2nd
- Eat breakfast-20-minutes-1st
- Get dressed-5 minutes-3rd
- Make bed-3 minutes-5th
Step #7. Add Up All Your times
Go through your entire list and see how long it will take you to complete all the tasks you have listed. Take your total time and subtract it from your “Finish By” time.
So, for example, using the list above, I have 26 minutes allotted for personal care. If I need to be done by 7 am, I would have to start this routine by 6:16 am in order to complete it on time.
The importance of an accurate “Finish By” time is the key to this routine running smoothly.
Step #8. rewrite things in order
Take each item in the order you listed them and create your finalized morning routine. I also like to put a start time for each task to keep things on track. Remember, it’s better to have more information than not enough. If you want this routine to succeed, you will want to include as much information as possible.
Using the above list, this would be my finalized morning routine for my personal care.
- 6:16 am Eat breakfast
- 6:36 am Shower
- 6:51 am Get dressed
- 6:56 am Brush teeth
- 6:57 am Make the bed
Step #9. Adjust Where Needed
After using your morning routine for a bit, you may see that you need to add additional tasks, remove unnecessary items, or adjust times. Finding out what works best can take a bit, so test, tweak, and repeat until you create a routine that you can work with.
Step #10. Make an Evening Routine
Not only is it helpful to begin your days off on the right foot but it is even more imperative to end them off the right foot as well.
You will not have a good morning without a good night’s sleep, and by setting up an evening routine, you will set the stage for a better night’s rest. An evening routine will help you to shut down your home and your head so you will have a more sound rest.
For your evening routine, you will follow the steps outlined above. Use the time you want to be in bed as your “Finish By” time. This is a great way to ensure you do everything you need to do the night before to set up a successful morning routine.
Prepping coffee, cleaning up the kitchen, checking your kid’s book bags, even laying out your clothes, are all great ways to make your mornings all that much smoother.
I know this may seem like a bit much, a bit obsessive even. But if you are here you are looking for a solution. The trick is to write it down no matter how simple it is.
Even if it seems silly, write it down.
How wonderful would it be to have the time to drink a cup of coffee just listening to the stillness? Well…now you can with this guide on how to create the perfect morning routine.
Thank you I’m very interested in trying to get better at doing a routine
Thank you for this!! We will try this over the next week or so and report back!! Thanks again