9 Amazing Ways to Boost Your Day: How to Prep for Success

We’ve all heard about the most effective habits of successful people, but what about the rest of us? Can anyone adopt the routines of successful people? The answer is an unequivocal yes. Morning routines are perhaps the most important of all. Our entire day is shaped by what happens in the morning.

The first thing you want to do is set your alarm clock for an early morning wake-up. Remember that expression: The early bird catches the worm? It’s 100% true. So, set your iPhone alarm, or your Android alarm to give yourself plenty of time to warm up in the morning before you head out to work. Early to bed, early to rise – that’s the recipe for success. Our bodies need at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep, so plan your schedule accordingly.

Are You Feeling Grumpy Today?

If we wake up on the wrong side of the bed, we tend to go to work in a grumpy mood – that’s a no-no. Sometimes, we are simply in the zone – our senses are sharp, and our minds are firing on all cylinders. Our thought processes are clear, our problem-solving skills are on the money, and we are simply feeling perfect. Yes, that’s how we love to feel!

Unfortunately, that’s the exception to the rule. For many of us who are not morning people, it takes a little warming up. That morning Cup A Joe is often the only thing we need to spice up our day. That bolus of caffeine courses its way through our veins, energizes our senses, and instantly sharpens our minds. That’s the beauty of a cup of tea or coffee. And so, we pay tribute to the 2nd of 9 things to do this morning that will make your day a whole lot more productive – drink your coffee!

Next in line are those decisions you must make in the morning. Did you know that the world’s most successful people don’t make their important decisions in the mornings – they plan them out the day before. This is point #3 on our list. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. It’s foolhardy to leave important decisions to the day of. Rather, think them through, sleep on them, and start the day refreshed with a plan of action in mind. You may even want to jot down all the important points the day before the action is required. Whiteboards, Post-it notes, or online logs are a great way to keep abreast of the action.

Point #4 on the list is a routine – a regimen that works. While nobody likes to be pigeonholed according to a set schedule every single day, there is method to this madness. When there is a structure, a format, and a plan of action that you can see and act upon, it’s much easier to implement it. Imagine simply going about your day willy-nilly and doing things in a haphazard manner? That’s a recipe for success. While there are experts at Chaos Management – we’re not trying to go there in this post.

Next up on our listing of 9 things to do this morning to make your day more productive is action. You may be wondering what sort of action we’re talking about? Of course, everything you do involves an action of some sort – either physical or mental. However, it’s important to keep the blood flowing, and the body and mind active at all times. How do you get this done? For starters, you will want to keep moving around.

Remember those nifty little exercise routines they told you to do on long flights? Move your feet around, get up and walk up and down the aisles to keep your blood flowing – that’s necessary every single day in the office too. Take your midmorning coffee breaks, go and schmooze with your coworkers, and stay physically active. It’s amazing how activity keeps your mind sharp and makes you more productive.

Up next on our list is point #6. This one seems to be a little bit of an overlap with point #2 – but you really do need to stay hydrated during your day. This is especially true in the mornings when your energy levels are at their maximum. If you were to look at a time/productivity continuum, you would notice that employees are most productive between 9 AM and lunchtime, and least productive after lunch through the end of the day. It makes sense: we get tired as the day drags on. For these reasons, it’s important to stay hydrated.

Point #7 is an interesting one – Don’t lose focus. Repetitive tasks often result in decreased productivity. Studies have shown that positive distractions can easily boost productivity. Simple things like puzzles and strategy games can take your mind off repetitive work tasks and re-focus your energy in a positive way. Once you’ve solved a puzzle, you can return to work with newfound purpose.

One of these puzzle games that is really crushing it with players is Cube Crush. This strategy game is one of many gaming ‘distractions’ that up-and-coming professionals are using to stay sharp in the office. It’s a great way to release frustration, solve puzzles, and improve productivity. Believe it or not, strategy-based games are the preferred go-to distraction for a growing number of successful professionals.

Next on the list is taking care of the most pressing concern of the day. Don’t leave the hard decisions to the middle of the day or the end. Deal with it first thing in the morning. For example, if you’ve got to talk to your coworkers about meeting a deadline, it’s best to do it early in the morning rather than later in the day when everybody’s ready to go home. Start with the most challenging task and work your way down. That’s the way winning is done!

Don’t be afraid to decline offers. Saying no is one of the most important things you can do to start your day right. You may find this disingenuous, but it really works. People that find it difficult to say no often find themselves embroiled in activities that they don’t want to be doing. This makes them less productive. There are ways to say no without offending anyone, and without decreasing workplace morale.