How do you typically spend your mornings? Self-control is the highest in the morning, making it the most important time of the day. However, best-selling author and LinkedIn Influencer, Dr. Travis Bradberry, says that instead of spending your morning hours working, you should do the right things that will make your energy and self-control last as long as possible.
In this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, we highlight Dr. Bradberry’s tips to break bad habits in the morning to maximize your energy and self-control throughout the day.
1. Begin with exercise. Research shows that those who exercise during the workday enjoy more energy and a more positive outlook, both which are critical to crossing things off your to-do list. Even moving your body for just 10 minutes releases GABA, a neurotransmitter that makes your brain feel soothed and keeps you in control of your impulses.
2. Drink some lemon water. This beverage provides steady, natural energy that lasts the length of your day by improving nutrient absorption in your stomach. Dr. Bradberry suggests drinking a cup as soon as you wake up to spike your energy levels physically and mentally.
3. Skip the screen time until breakfast. Don’t dive straight into emails, texts and social media first thing. It’s healthier to use those first moments in your morning to do something relaxing that sets a calm tone for your day. Try exercising, meditating or even listening to the birds outside your window.
4. Eat a real breakfast. They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Dr. Bradberry encourages individuals to fuel up on a healthy breakfast to improve their short-term memory and help them concentrate more intensely for longer periods.
5. Establish goals for the day. Instead of declaring vague goals, narrow your focus to a few achievable goals you can break down into steps. Having concrete goals boosts your confidence and feelings of control.
6. Clean your workspace. It’s hard to focus in a cluttered area. Take a few minutes each morning to tidy up your desk or work area so you can direct your attention toward your work.
7. Eat three frogs. Dr. Bradberry says rather than diving into email, professionals should spend their morning “eating frogs,” or rather, working on something that requires a high level of concentration that you don’t want to do. You’ll typically knock it out quickly.
8. Assign times to your to-do list. If you’re going to set goals in the morning, make sure you check in on them throughout the day. If you realize you’re behind, adjust your goals or your work ethic to get back on track.
The right morning routine can make your day, every day. Use the tips above to be more intentional about how you spend your mornings.
Source: Dr. Travis Bradberry is the award-winning co-author of the No. 1 best-selling book, Emotional Intelligence 2.0, and the co-founder of TalentSmart, the world’s leading provider of emotional intelligence tests and training, serving more than 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies. Dr. Bradberry is a top LinkedIn Influencer and he has written for, or been covered by, Newsweek, BusinessWeek, Fortune, Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The Harvard Business Review.