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American novelist Daniel Handler, under his pen name Lemony Snicket, once wrote “Morning is an important time of day, because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.” Nothing could be closer to the truth. We all know from experience that starting the day on the wrong foot can kick start a disastrous chain reaction. On the flip side, starting your day off right can lead to increased productivity, greater focus, and overall happiness and well-being. And if you’re not a morning person, you may want to consider becoming one. A study by German biology professor Christoph Randler found that early risers are more proactive than nighthawks, a quality that can pave the path to success. “When it comes to business success, morning people hold the important cards,” Randler told the Harvard Business Review. “My earlier research showed that they tend to get better grades in school, which get them into better colleges, which then lead to better job opportunities. “Morning people also anticipate problems and try to minimize them, my survey showed. They’re proactive. A number of studies have linked this trait, proactivity, with better job performance, greater career success, and higher wages.” There are other ways to maximize our mornings besides following the early to bed, early to rise model. In fact, getting up early is merely the start. Let’s take a look at seven best practices that everyone can adopt to accomplish more in the a.m. Start Fresh Bad days are bound to happen, but you don’t have to drag them out. Waking up on the wrong side of the bed will only make the situation worse. No matter what happened yesterday, wipe the slate clean by focusing on the present and casting out negativity. Start fresh, get organized and hit the ground running for the best results. Map It Out Making a schedule and sticking to it is one of the easiest ways to properly manage our time. We often pencil in projects that must be completed but forget to include other aspects of our day, such as breaks. Put the tasks that boost your well-being and productivity, like a quick walk or meditation time, on your to-do list. Having your day planned gives you an overview of what needs to be accomplished, and allows you to easily delegate important items to others if an unplanned meeting or emergency derails your day. Deal With Distractions Too often we let technology dictate the start to our day. For some people, checking email first thing can lead them down a rabbit hole of distraction that starts with messages, moves onto jokes forwarded by coworkers and ends an hour later with news headlines and sports scores. Experts suggest scanning your inbox and responding to urgent messages, leaving the rest to be dealt with at regular intervals throughout the day. Clean Your Workspace A tidy desk can lead to a clear mind. Keeping only essential items on your desk can help to reduce anxiety and maximize productivity – there is no time wasted hunting for that important file when items are kept in order. In fact, a University of Minnesota study found those with uncluttered workspaces were more likely to do the job expected of them. As an added bonus, a clean desk helps prevent information theft and security breaches, and presents a professional image when clients drop by the office. Quash Procrastination There are several different schools of thought when it comes to which projects should be tackled first in a workday. Some suggest tending to the least desirable task first, which ensures the most tedious or unpleasant of tasks are taken care of while your energy levels are still high. Others recommend you pinpoint the two activities that will earn you the most money and devote your attention to them right out of the gate. No matter which path you choose, it’s important that you don’t put these tasks off – procrastination can lead to incomplete, rushed work and increased stress. Awaken Your Brain It may sound cliché, but a good breakfast is an essential part of your day. Avoid the high-sugar treats at the coffee shop and the heavy, high-calorie sandwiches available at fast food joints. A balanced meal that includes all food groups will help you avoid the mid-morning slump by keeping energy levels up. And when it comes to energy, watch out you don’t consume too many caffeinated beverages. It can cause nervousness, restlessness, irritability and insomnia, none of which will help you get the job done in the long run. Shake It Up Variety is the spice of life, and regular, subtle changes to your morning routine can energize you and help you see your business through a different lens. It can be as simple as starting the day with a new task, or completing your morning routine while sitting at a different desk. Deviating from your set routine can be refreshing, but make sure you remain focused. Just because you’ve never been a fan of mornings doesn’t mean you are stuck in that mindset forever. By adopting new routines we can form habits that will make us more alert and productive in the early hours, and can translate to success.
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