What did you do this morning?
Idly scroll through social media? Repeatedly hit the snooze button?
These seemingly mundane choices can make all the difference in how your day unfolds.
Before you try a quick fix to shake up your morning, remember the secret: You must change it in a way that works for you.
So, what makes for a good morning routine? Which advice is genuinely worth taking?
Based on our research, we offer 17 of the best ideas for creating and following a routine that energizes your body and sharpens your mind. We also provide examples from successful people and our top strategies for success.
A quick look at the 17 ideas to have a more productive morning
- Get ready the night before
- Find a ritual
- Incorporate mindfulness or meditation
- Get enough sleep
- Wake up early
- Don’t hit “snooze”
- Make your bed
- Avoid screen time
- Eat breakfast (or don’t)
- Drink water
- Get some exercise
- Rewire your brain
- Eliminate or reduce distractions
- Set your priorities
- Complete difficult work first
- Indulge in a creative pursuit
- Make time for a hobby
How does a morning routine lead to success?
You might have heard the saying coined by author Tim Ferriss: “If you win the morning, you win the day.” And it’s true — how you start your morning sets the tone for the rest of your day.
The relationship between good morning routines and success is also more than coincidental — it’s causational.
One study found that people with a morning routine earn $12,500 more yearly than those without one.
However, you’ll see more than just financial gains by having a morning routine.
Here’s what else to expect:
Improved mental clarity
A good routine helps clear your mind. Deciding what’s most important becomes easier when you have time to declutter your thoughts and set clear intentions for the day. Clarity improves decision-making in both work and life.
More consistency
Regular morning habits create consistency and reliable patterns. You start every day with intention and a disciplined mindset. This is the foundation for steady growth and success in your personal and professional life.
Decreased stress
A consistent and effective routine can make your morning preparations less stressful because you know what to expect and feel a greater sense of control.
You set a positive and calm tone for the day as you proactively take steps for your well-being.
Enhanced energy and motivation
Including light exercises and a nutritious breakfast in the morning boosts your natural energy. Your body wakes up recharged for the day ahead.
These daily habits can even eliminate the need for excessive caffeine intake. As your energy increases, your motivation to continue these positive habits soars — which also affects the rest of your day.
Reduced decision fatigue
Natacha Duke, MA, RP, defines decision fatigue as a phenomenon in which the more decisions you have to make, the more depleted you tend to feel. Too many choices — especially over time — leave you feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.
Practicing consistency eliminates this issue as you begin your day. You’ve already selected the steps in your routine, so all that’s left now is to follow through.
Motion’s Task Manager does the heavy lifting for you. Simply put in your morning tasks and Motion will arrange them based on your priorities and how much time you have.
Boosted productivity
A structured morning removes the rush and chaos often associated with the start of the day, giving you more time.
Extra time helps you focus on priority tasks without feeling hurried and allocate your time and resources for the day ahead.
Preparedness increases efficiency and productivity. For example, laying out your morning workout clothes the night before eliminates the decision of what to wear and lets you get right to your exercise plan. Similarly, programming the coffee maker ensures that the first cup is ready when you are.
17 ideas to create a morning routine and win the day
Successful people start their mornings with intention.
Use the 17 inspiring ideas below to help you feel refreshed, focused, and ready to tackle the day ahead.
1. Get ready the night before
Identify the tasks you want to complete or habits you’d like to establish the night before.
Your morning list tells you what you must accomplish when you wake up. Creating to-dos is a form of planning that decreases anxiety and increases your sense of control. Writing tasks down also reduces the mental energy required to remember your priorities.
Pro tip: Afraid you’ll forget to create a list each night? Try Motion. It automatically creates the perfect one using AI.
2. Find a ritual
Sometimes, finding a morning routine that suits you can take a little time.
You don’t have to start with something complicated or unfamiliar — your routine can be to wake up, make your bed, and drink a fruit smoothie.
The important thing is to commit to a routine that supports your personal goals and lifestyle. For example, if you aspire to stay fit and healthy, you can build a 30-minute jog into your ritual.
Don’t worry if your first attempts don’t quite “click” — experimenting and trying different rituals is part of the process. Once you find one that works for you, consistently practicing it is the key to keeping it.
Pro tip: Start with a small, easily manageable ritual. As it becomes more habitual, you can gradually incorporate more elements into it. For example, commit to making your bed every morning. Once that becomes automatic, connect this ritual to the next step (e.g., preparing your fruit smoothie or going for a jog).
3. Incorporate mindfulness or meditation
What’s your morning mindset like?
Do you wake up to the blaring sound of your alarm, jump out of bed, put on your clothes, stuff breakfast into your mouth, and rush out the door — all in 15 minutes?
Instead of racing into your day, why not give yourself and your body time to breathe and relax?
Start with activities that help center your thoughts. You can improve your mindfulness by taking a few minutes to breathe and recognize how your body is feeling. Consider developing a more structured meditation practice with the help of an app like Headspace or Calm.
Jotting down your thoughts in a journal is another strategy to help you slow down and clear your mind.
Pro tip: Pick a dedicated space for this practice to create a mental association that helps you quickly relax. This could be a specific chair for meditation or a designated journaling notebook. Having a set place or item helps signal your brain that it’s time to slow down and focus.
4. Get enough sleep
Most of us would admit that it takes a lot of discipline to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
However, it’s well worth the effort. Research has found that irregular sleep patterns are associated with high blood pressure, a higher risk of heart attack, and poor gut health.
Sleep deprivation also negatively affects our work, impacting our focus and attention. If your brain struggles to stay alert, you can’t do your best.
With the significant downsides of irregular sleep patterns, consider setting a consistent bedtime and wake-up time and stick to them.
When identifying your bedtime and wake-up time, aim to get adequate sleep. Experts recommend adults try for at least 7 hours of sleep per night.
Pro tip: Since light and darkness impact our circadian clock, sleep, and alertness, blackout curtains and hue smart lights can help your body fall asleep and wake up naturally.
5. Wake up early
While it might be an unpopular opinion, early wake-up times are consistent among many highly successful people. Actor Dwayne Johnson, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary, and Billionaire Entrepreneur Richard Branson are well-known early risers.
Richard Branson notes that getting up at 5 AM puts him in a ”great mind frame” for the rest of the day. Not only does he enjoy the extra quiet for reflection, but he also uses this time to focus on his favorite activities.
What exactly is “early”? That depends on who you talk to. Many consider 5 AM the ideal wake-up time, but Dwayne Johnson gets up an hour earlier.
The purpose of waking up early is to have uninterrupted time to perform your morning routine before moving on to the rest of your day. Since this can look different depending on your unique schedule, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It also depends on how much you want to do in the morning and how much time you want to devote without sacrificing sleep and other life demands.
Pro tip: If you’re not a “morning person,” gradually adjust your wake-up time by setting your alarm clock 15 minutes earlier each week for a few weeks. This incremental change will help your internal clock adapt, making the transition less painful and more sustainable in the long run.
6. Don’t hit "snooze"
This one’s a doozy. (or, should I say, a dozy? 😂). According to a University of Notre Dame study, 57% of people hit the snooze button each morning. But this common habit isn’t helping us feel more rested. Instead, it may make us more sleepy.
Dr. Aarthi Ram, a neurologist at Houston Methodist specializing in sleep medicine, says, "The ten more minutes of sleep you're granting yourself over and over and over isn't productive sleep. If anything, all of that interrupted sleep will make you feel more groggy."
Pro tip: Turn off the snooze option on your iPhone. This way, you commit to getting up when the alarm goes off rather than postponing it and potentially disrupting your morning routine.
7. Make your bed
William H. McRaven, author of Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… And Maybe the World recommends starting your morning by making the bed. That way, you have already accomplished something before the day even begins.
The positive feeling you get from making your bed can build to greater success later in the day, as you’ve already established a positive, goal-oriented mindset.
It’s also more aesthetically pleasing (and calming) to return to a tidy bed at the end of the day. This might help kick off a more relaxed evening ritual, too.
Pro tip: Make making your bed as easy as possible. Don’t bother with a ton of decorative pillows or throws (unless that’s really your thing). Pull up the sheet, blanket, and duvet. Plump the cushions, and voilà — you’re done!
8. Avoid screen time
Eighty-nine percent of Americans check their phones within 10 minutes of waking up. If you’re like me, this can be a huge time waster and completely disrupt your morning.
However, if your phone is on your nightstand or bedside table, you might find it difficult to follow this advice and absentmindedly pick it up as soon as you wake up.
You can avoid this by charging your phone in another room overnight or tucking it into a drawer on your nightstand.
You can also adjust your surroundings. Rather than relying on your phone to wake you up, use an alarm clock. That way, you won’t be tempted to open your email, check your text messages, or catch up on the news first thing.
Pro tip: If you must keep your phone nearby for emergency calls or other essential functions, try using app blockers or the “Do Not Disturb” features to restrict access to distracting apps for the first hour after waking up. So, if you do reach for your phone, you won’t get sucked into a vortex of notifications and “doom scrolling.”
9. Eat breakfast (or don’t)
There’s a lot of debate on whether breakfast is important. Turns out, the research is inconclusive. Some studies claim breakfast is essential to good health, while others claim the opposite.
Those who support eating breakfast believe it is a daily metabolic kickstarter. A morning meal can help burn more calories throughout the day and provide essential nutrients.
Others, however, argue that skipping breakfast is beneficial. Intermittent fasting, or focusing attention on when you eat, improves cognitive function and memory.
Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference and specific health goals. It’s more important to meet your nutrition requirements and appropriately fuel your body with nutritious foods. If eating breakfast helps you accomplish this, eat breakfast. If not, don’t.
Pro tip: Conduct a two-week breakfast experiment. Spend one week eating a nutritious breakfast and the next one skipping it. Then, observe how your body and mind react.
10. Drink water
With 73% of Americans drinking coffee daily, it’s pretty likely that they’re kicking off their day with that first cup.
While you may be one of them, don’t reach for the coffee machine right away. Try a cup of water first.
Hydrating after a long night of sleep helps jumpstart your metabolism and flush out any toxins that may have built up in your system overnight. It wakes up your digestive system and makes it easier for your body to process food and burn calories throughout the day. You feel awake, alert, and refreshed as a result.
Dehydration, on the other hand, could derail your morning. Symptoms of dehydration include fatigue, confusion, short-term memory loss, and mood changes, like increased irritability or depression.
Actress Cameron Diaz is a vocal advocate for hydrating upon waking up. One of the first things she does each morning is chug a liter of water. (Is that also her secret to never aging?)
Pro tip: Fill your water bottle and leave it on your nightstand. That way, you’ll be reminded to hydrate as soon as you wake up. And if you want to keep the practice going throughout the day, you can set a recurring task in Motion that prompts you to take a sip.
11. Get some exercise
Even Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and now, X (formerly known as Twitter), carves out time in his mornings to lift weights and run on a treadmill.
There are dozens of benefits to regular exercise, including:
- Better sleep
- Reduced fatigue
- Increased energy
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Controlled blood pressure
- Reduced feelings of depression
Consider how even one of these benefits could significantly improve your morning and entire day.
It’s important to find a form of exercise you enjoy. You could do cardio, lift, or take a brisk walk.
Interestingly, many famous authors and brilliant thinkers experience a flow of ideas when walking.
Author Henry David Thoreau, a frequent walker, said, “Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.”
According to Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” He would sometimes walk up to eight hours a day.
Pro tip: Create a dedicated playlist for your morning exercise routine. The right music can enhance your performance and make the experience more enjoyable — and, as a result, help you stick to the habit.
12. Rewire your brain
Don’t let yesterday’s setbacks define today. Each morning offers a fresh start and an opportunity to reset. Famous life and business coach Tony Robbins has a comprehensive morning routine to reset his mind and focus for the day.
For instance, Robbins’ 10-minute “priming” exercise blends yoga techniques and Buddhist mindfulness meditation. He starts by sitting still for a minute, then expresses gratitude for three things he’s grateful for. He concludes with two visualization exercises to help him imagine achieving success.
So, spend a few minutes visualizing your goals for the day or the long term. This practice can elevate your mood and create neural pathways that train your brain to stay motivated.
Pro tip: If you find sitting still for long periods challenging, try a “walking visualization.” As you physically walk, picture yourself achieving your daily goals. That way, you’ll kill two birds — exercise and visualization — with one stone.
13. Eliminate or reduce distractions
You’ve likely heard this before: It takes 23 minutes and 13 seconds to return to your original task after a distraction.
That’s a lot of time, especially if you’re frequently distracted.
Distractions are unique to each person. For one person, it might be TikTok; for another, it might be email.
To start reducing those distractions, you should first Identify what frequently distracts you and find ways to eliminate it.
Distractions are also inevitable. When they happen, Motion automatically rebuilds your schedule. You can pick up where you left off and maintain your momentum. We also keep a small banner on your screen to remind you to focus on your current task.
Pro tip: Use the following methods to help you avoid distractions:
- Turn off alerts on your phone, smartwatch, and laptop.
- Find a quiet place to work where you won’t be interrupted.
- Clear your desk. A neat environment helps some people stay focused.
- Use time blocking to ramp up your productivity.
- Use tools like Motion to keep you on task and on track.
- Reward yourself for staying focused for a specific amount of time.
- Listen to music.
- Use the Pomodoro Technique.
14. Set your priorities
Make a list of your tasks (or review your to-do list from the night before) and rank them in order of their importance. Direct your energy to what matters most first, ensuring your critical tasks are completed while fresh and focused. Then, you can do your less important activities later.
Avoid multitasking, which scatters your focus. When you start multitasking, your overall performance declines, negatively affecting your work quality, productivity, and working memory. Your attention is divided, you get less done, and you start the day feeling behind.
Pro tip: With an AI task manager like Motion, you can choose priority levels for your work. Motion will build a schedule that prioritizes your most important work, so you do it first.
15. Complete difficult work first
For many people, it’s tempting to do their easiest work or tasks first because they can feel accomplished when completed quickly.
However, this often can cause people to continuously put off difficult — yet important and high-impact — work.
Putting off this high-priority work can stall your progress. That’s why many productivity experts recommend doing your hardest task first.
Pro tip: Use the Eat the Frog technique invented by Brian Tracy. Doing your most challenging task in the morning sets you on a productive path.
16. Indulge in a creative pursuit
Why not take some time to get creative? Creative pursuits are linked to decreases in symptoms of depression.
Creativity increases serotonin levels, which promotes divergent thinking and emotional regulation. This leads to a more positive mindset and the urge to persevere when the pressure mounts.
Participating in a creative activity first thing in the morning gives your mind free rein. The day’s demands haven’t kicked in or weighed you down, so it’s easier to focus or let your thoughts wander.
Need some inspiration? Try:
- Sketching
- Painting
- Gardening
- Baking
- Journaling
- Dancing
- Knitting
- Origami
You can even brainstorm a new home design, work project, or side hustle.
Pro tip: Focus on the process and try not to judge your efforts or attempt to meet a certain standard. No one has to see your creative process (or its results) but you. Use Motion to add this task to your day. Then, if something does pop up, Motion’s AI automatically adjusts and reschedules your creative time for later.
17. Make time for a hobby
If your creative efforts align with your hobby, you’ve tackled two steps in one.
A hobby could also provide other benefits. Love cooking? Take time to prepare a healthy breakfast and explore new recipes. Enjoy yoga? Carve out 30 minutes with a class or download an app like AloMoves.
Hobbies help manage stress and mental health, according to Dr. Ken Duckworth, Chief Medical Officer for the National Alliance of Mental Health. When you engage in something you enjoy, you trigger a dopamine release. This neurotransmitter influences motivation and enhances your desire to continue the activity.
Taking time for personal pursuits or passions also ensures you have made yourself a priority (a top component of self-care) by carving out time for something you really enjoy.
Pro tip: Choose that one activity you love but never seem to have enough time for. For example, stock your Kindle with the latest bestsellers and give yourself time to finish a few chapters every morning.
Now that you have a few ideas for your routine, here’s how to ensure that routine goes the distance.
4 tips for building a morning routine that lasts
Don’t let your new routine become short-lived. Here’s how to build morning rituals that withstand the test of time:
1. Reimagine your mornings
Start with self-reflection. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What do you want to change about your mornings now?
- What do you want to add to your mornings and why?
- Which activities leave you energized, and which ones leave you drained?
Figuring out your preferences and areas for improvement can help you tailor a routine to your goals and values.
Self-awareness empowers you to integrate positive daily habits. Reimagine your mornings as an opportunity to make intentional choices that positively shape your day.
Let Motion help guide your mornings. Prioritize what’s most important to you with the app, and Motion will find the optimal time for you to get it done.
2. Set yourself up for success
Establishing new habits takes time. While it’s important to be consistent, recognize that your effort also matters. Exceptional circumstances, emergencies, and even a malfunctioning alarm clock can pop up, so forgive yourself if you miss a day.
Finding the best routine for you also takes time, so be open to trial and error, and make adjustments when necessary.
Roll out a new routine gradually, especially if you want to wake up earlier. For example, try a 15-minute meditation session, with a glass of water beside you. Once this feels stable, add 15 minutes for journaling or taking a brisk walk.
Prepare your spaces the night before so that you’re ready to go first thing. Set out your workout clothes, put a full water bottle on the counter, or place your favorite pen in your journal.
Tidy the common areas in your home the night before, too, so that you’re not tempted to do this before starting your routine.
3. Focus on consistency
If we haven’t stressed this enough, let us emphasize it again: consistency is key. Habits need time to take root.
Expecting immediate transformation is like hoping for a supermodel physique after one workout. It’s the everyday dedication that fuels real change.
Remember that there’s no shortcut. You have to be willing to embrace the process and be open to adjustments. As you remain consistent, your efforts will become successful over time.
4. Create a schedule
Don’t stop at a to-do list. Go one step further and build a schedule for your morning routine on your calendar.
First, identify how long you’ll spend on each task or habit. Second, document in what order you’ll perform tasks/habits. Then, add blocks of time on your calendar for each task. Scheduling tasks like this, often called time blocking, can triple your productivity.
A better option is to let Motion do all that for you. Use the Motion app to block calendar times for morning routine tasks.
Motion helps you craft your morning routine for success
There isn’t one perfect morning routine for everyone. Use the ideas from this post to customize one that works for you.
If you’re unsure where to start, pick one suggestion from our list that appeals to you. Once that’s consistent, add more until you reach the ideal routine.
Why not drastically simplify the process with Motion? Our platform automatically builds a daily morning routine, creates a to-do list, and blocks times on your calendar for you to complete each step.
Give Motion a try for free.
(Disclaimer: This blog post should not be considered medical or health advice.)
