Girl with a cup o coffee
Mindfulness

My Daily Routine – Tips For A More Productive Morning

Creating a solid morning routine has helped me stay on track and have a more productive day! I find that once I get used to my daily routine, everything runs much more smoothly.

A cup of coffee and the journal I use for planning my daily routine.

Why A Morning Routine Is Important

Have you ever had a day fly by and wonder where all the time went?  Have you ever uttered the words “I wish there were more hours in the day” or even merely wished you’d gotten more done?

Those thoughts and questions are exactly why having a more productive morning routine is important.  We are creatures of habit, and when we make our habits work in our favor, productivity occurs!

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase that it takes two weeks to make or break a habit.  While there has been some controversy over the exact amount of time it takes to create a habit, U.S. News reports “the longer you sustain a behavior, the less frequent the need for conscious reminder”.

Once something becomes habitual, it’s easy to insert it into your daily routine!  When you gear your morning routine towards setting yourself up for a productive day you will be headed for success!

I am not a doctor or medical care provider and therefore cannot give medical advice.  Consult with your doctor before changing or modifying any health treatments. This information is not meant to replace professional medical advice.

girl with a to-do list on a white sofa bed

My Daily Routine

I recently changed my daily routine, and since making these simple changes, I’ve noticed that my productivity has increased exponentially.  I’d love to share some tips I learned to help you create your best daily routine!

Whether you’re a student in school, have a full time job outside of the home, or work from home, having a daily routine can positively effect your life.  

So, grab a cup of coffee and get ready to take a peek into my routine and how I set myself up for success!  Not everything I do may apply for you, so feel free to modify where you need to.  

This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you if you purchase through an affiliate link.

An alarm clock on a bedside table.

1. Stop Pressing Snooze

I am guilty (so, SO guilty) of being a notorious snoozer.  In the past, I used to set my alarm clock (and I’m not kidding) hours early so I wouldn’t have to spring out of bed as soon as it went off.

While it always seemed like I was getting more time to sleep this way, I realized it was actually taking away from my sleep to be constantly pulled in and out of REM sleep.  

Over time I have weaned myself off of the snooze button – I only set a few alarms now, and my goal is to eventually have just one!

The way I ditched the snooze button was gradual but effective.  Each week I would move up my alarm time by 10 minutes (for example – if I set my first alarm at 6:00 the first week, the next week I would set it at 6:10, and the next week at 6:20 and so on, and so on).

Moving it up a little bit each week makes it much easier than trying to make a huge change all at once!  

I will say, as a habitual snoozer, I actually like snoozing less.  It can be a little harder at first to get up, but I jump straight into the shower when I get out of bed, and that helps SO much.  

an iphone and an ipad that are turned off.

2. Unplug 

If you’re really serious about creating your best morning routine, this step is non-negotiable.  I have stopped using technology for the first hour I’m awake.

It’s so temping to wake up and reach straight for my phone, check emails, and scroll through instagram, and facebook – but it’s not necessarily the most productive way to start the day.

I am not saying not to check emails or social media at all during the day, but it can be a huge time-waster if the time spent scrolling isn’t monitored. 

I even have the controls on my instagram set so it will alert me after 45 minutes of scroll time (which is all I allot for an entire day). 

As I mentioned with the snoozing the alarm earlier, you can gradually wean yourself off excessive social media time in small increments over several weeks.

When I plan my day, I consciously set time aside to do my social media scrolling and email checking and it has given me back so much of my time!!

Speaking of email if you are interested in receiving my newsletter (after the first hour you’re awake, of course!) I just got it up and running. You can sign up at the top of my sidebar!
Fruit infuser pitcher filled with fruit and water.

3. Hydrate 

It is so important to drink water and stay hydrated.  When I make more of an effort to stay hydrated I have more energy and am therefore much more productive!

My rule of thumb for the morning is to drink two glasses of water before breakfast.  It may seem like a lot, but you will get used to it quicker than you’d think.  

In fact, when I don’t have my water, I crave it!  I like to put lemon in it, or sometimes even fruit and herbs that are in season. I also have a no-waste strawberry water recipe that’s great in the summertime!

I like to use a fruit infusing pitcher, like the one pictured above.  It makes a flavorful batch of water I can drink throughout the day.  The photo above has peaches and mint which is a delicious combo.  

I find that if I have two glasses of water before breakfast, it helps me listen to the “hungry” signals in my body more clearly.  Since I am no longer thirsty, I listen to my body when it tells me I’m not hungry and I’m less likely to overeat.

Also, having two glasses of water in the morning makes me drink more water throughout the day- which is a win win.  I always feel better when I’m hydrated.

A woman meditating at sunrise outside in front of a palm tree.

4. Meditate

This one is a BIG must for me.  I think daily meditation is so beneficial.  It helps me center myself and take some time just for me before any work I have to do for anyone else during the day.

If you’ve never meditated before, give it a try!  I have an article geared towards beginners (and frequent meditators alike) touching on how long to meditate, if you’re looking for a place to start, I’d start there

It may seem contradictory to take time away from work in order to be more productive, but meditating calms the mind and centers the body.  It’s so much easier to do good work from a place of calm.  

I usually do a short meditation in the morning and another midway through the day to check back in with myself.  Just remember, if you put yourself at the top of your to-do list, everything else will fall in to place.  

A bowl of breakfast parfait yogurt popsicles.

5. Have Breakfast Outside

I love taking a moment to connect with nature when I start my day.  I have a little balcony that overlooks the pool in our apartment complex, and while it’s not the biggest space, it feels good to be outside to start the day!

I love the feeling of having fresh air around me first thing in the morning. I head outside after I meditate and take in a deep breath.  Then I put on a positive playlist and have a cup of coffee with my breakfast outside.

When I’m done I water my plants.  I have a little herb garden that thrives from a little love in the morning! It’s been so hot lately that my plants need to be watered often.

Also, if it’s as hot where you are as it is in LA, definitely check out my recipe for Yogurt Parfait Breakfast Popsicles pictured above – they’re a good way to cool down!

Brunette girl on a porch with a cup of coffee smiling.

6. Jump-Start Your Energy

There are so many different ways to boost your energy in the morning.  Some people love to work out first thing in the morning.  I like to save my workout for after work, so I start my day with coffee!

Sometimes I’ll go rogue and switch my coffee for a cup of tea, but either way, I’m starting my morning with a little boost of caffeine.  

However you boost your energy levels (and therefore boost your mood), whether it’s coffee or cardio, make sure you incorporate it into your daily routine!
An assortment of makeup essentials on a table.

7. Dress For Success

OK, so this one is going to be slightly different for everyone. Some people have jobs where they have to wear a uniform, but the same principle I’m talking about can be put into effect as soon as you get off work. 

In an effort to have a more productive day, I dress for the day I want to have. If I stay in my PJs all day (which I could), I find I get much less done than if I take a shower right way, put on a cute dress and my makeup!

For me “getting dressed” feels finished when I put on my makeup. I’m not saying by any means that you need to (or should) wear makeup! I just know when I get all dolled up it gives me a little boost of extra confidence and I feel like I can conquer the world!

The photo above shows some of my current makeup favorites.  If you’re digging that makeup photo, make sure you take a peek inside my medicine cabinet to see some more products I love!

a planner to organize my daily routine, and breakfast.

8. Make A Plan (And Stick To It)

I think I get the most done in a day when I have a concrete plan. I have found that sitting down and actually writing what I want to get done in the day makes those things so much more likely to get done.

If I see everything I need to do that day, my mind starts to instinctively make space for those things! It only take a couple of minutes to make a list, but it really makes a difference in how productive I am for the rest of the day!

I have a specific journal that I use for my to-do lists called the productivity planner.  I’ve used just about every list making notebook on the planet, and this one is by far my favorite.

The productivity planner helps you stay on track by encouraging you to put your to-do list in order from the most important tasks to the least important ones, and then helps you work through them (in order) while adhering to a specific timeframe.    

highly recommend this planner.  It has revolutionized my productivity.  It helps me stay on track and not get distracted by other things while I’m working on tasks.

A pile of wooden clocks, all telling different times.

Short On Time?

When I talk to people about my daily routine, I sometimes get comments that there simply isn’t enough time to get everything done!  I used to believe the same thing, so believe me when I say there is no judgement around what I’m about to say next. 

There’s a secret I’ll let you in on that will change your life if you let it.  There is plenty of time to do everything you want, but you have to prioritize

Ask yourself honestly, what are you prioritizing in your life?  When you have an extra 10 minutes do you prioritize: Scrolling through social media, or meditation to center yourself?  Playing games on your phone, or sitting down to journal and process your thoughts and feeling?  Hitting the snooze button one more time, or getting up in enough time not have to to rush out the door?

Life is full of choices, and there is no wrong choice, but make sure you’re making the choices you really want to be making.  If you prioritize yourself, I just know you’ll be grateful in the long run.  Making yourself a priority is one of the best ways to practice mindfulness.

Making a daily routine shouldn’t be something hard that you stress about, but it should be something you intentionally choose.  What are you choosing to call into your life today?

A brunette girl with her hair in a bun with a cup of coffee.

Have Your Most Productive Day, Every Day!

I have found that if I adhere to all of the daily activities mentioned above in my morning routine, my day is SO much more productive! And I’m pretty sure you can agree – finding easy ways to make the day more productive is a good thing!

I have a Sunday night routine that I do every week that helps refocus me before the work week begins, and in turn, makes my daily routine easier.  Check it out if you’d like to amplify your success!

Tell me about your daily routine in the comments! I’d love to hear any tips and tricks you have.  Also, I’ve linked a few items here that have helped me greatly with cultivating productivity in my daily life.  I hope you enjoy them if you decide to add them to your daily routines!


Pin This Article on My Daily Routine For Later

  

How to create a more productive morning routine collage

This article was first published in June of 2016, I have updated it to include new photos and new tips reflecting my current daily routine for productivity.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission from the sale, but the price is the same for you. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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16 Comments

  • KIm

    Great tips! I always love to read about morning routines as I am always tweaking mine. Couldn’t agree more about not reaching for the phone first thing, I am trying to implement that by keeping mine in another room when I go to bed.

    Kim

    • Jess

      Ah, I wish I could keep it in another room, that would make it so easy!! What a great tip! I use mine for my alarm clock though, so I have it plugged in on my nightstand. It means using so much will power at first not to check it. But it does get easier!

  • Meghan

    You look fab babe. I am loving the bun too. And thanks for the tips. I find myself having a hard time drinking 8 glasses of water a day as well but heres to the new day for trying it again!

    Meghan

    • Jess

      I’m glad you found it helpful! And that’s honestly the hardest thing I’ve been trying to implement into my routine, but it’s been the most helpful. I never realized how much time I spend checking my phone in the morning!!

  • Madison

    These are such great tips!! Staying hydrated is definitely key – whenever I’m feeling sluggish during the day, I usually go for yet another cup of coffee, when a glass of water is actually what I need! Happy productivity 🙂

    • Jess

      Thanks for the question, Kathy – I do have a full time job outside of the house in addition to running this blog. I can absolutely sympathize with you – it’s hard to find time to fit in a morning routine, but if I stick to the points I’ve listed above I find that I actually save time in the morning. Since we’re all so short on time, I’m happy to create a morning routine that makes me more productive during the day. I find that if I start off on the right foot, that I can fit everything I need to in my day. If you’re having trouble creating a morning routine for yourself, I suggest going to bed earlier. I know it’s no fun, but I found that when I went to bed earlier at night, that I was able to have enough time in the morning to create my routine! Good luck!

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