8 Habits of High Performers

“Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.” Wayne Huizenga.

Your morning habits set up your day.  For example, if you keep hitting snooze until you realize that you’re running late, how do you think the rest of your day will be?

You may forget an important document at home. Since you didn’t have time to eat breakfast, you grab a doughnut. And, it totally slipped your mind that you have an important meeting today which you totally didn’t prepare for.

Sound familiar, this could be your version of “Groundhog Day,” then how successful and productive do you think you’ll be?

High performers get the most out of their mornings by embracing the following 8 habits.

1. Good night’s sleep.

It’s recommended that you get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. If not, that can lead to a number of problems including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, stroke, and even cognitive decline.

It’s impossible to be a high performer when you’re in poor health physically and mentally. That’s why the most successful people prioritize sleep.

If you’re having trouble sleeping then do the following:

• Be consistent – go to bed and wake up at the same time even on weekends.
• Keep your bedroom dark, cool, and quiet like a cave.
• Remove electronics, like iPads and smartphones, from your bedroom.
• Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.
• Engage in physical activity during the day.

YOu should also include a relaxing evening routine that includes

• meditating
• reading
• journaling
• taking a bath
• or reviewing tomorrow’s schedule

These are all simple and activities that clear your mind.

2. Silence 

“Silence is one of the best ways to immediately reduce stress while increasing your self-awareness,” Hal Elrod wrote in the Morning Miracle.

Waking up before everyone else in your home or finding silence later at night when everyone else is asleep are ways you to find silence.

How should you spend your quiet time?

You could

• take a walk
• read
• write
• visualize
• or meditate

Don’t use your phone as an alarm clock, use something else to wake you up like an old alarm clock so that you don’t get sucked into looking at your emails, social media etc.

3. Think of something positive

Is positivity the first thing that’s on your mind when you open your eyes early in the morning? Most likely not. However, it’s been found that smiling releases dopamine and endorphins which lift your mood and kick your day off on the right side of the bed.

Cracking a smile releases serotonin which will relax your body and lower your heart rate and blood pressure. And, it can also fortify your immune system.

Additionally, think of something positive. It could be reflecting on what you’re grateful for or something that you’re excited about, such as an upcoming holiday.

4. Make your bed

“If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day,” said Naval Adm. William McRaven, ninth commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, in his commencement address at the University of Texas at Austin . “It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another.” “By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed,” he added. “Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.” “If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right,” said McRaven.

“And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made that you made and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.”

5. Find your own rhythm

After you make your bed you may be asking,” What’s next?” Here’s the problem with that. Making these micro-decisions every morning can put you on the path of decision fatigue.

If you weren’t aware, that’s a big no-no. After all, it can lead to procrastination , avoidance, indecision, and impulsivity.

To avoid this, create your ideal morning routine. For some, that could be drinking a glass of water, going for a walk, eating breakfast, and taking a cold shower.

Another way to make fewer decisions? Plan the night before.  This could be, that means choosing your meals, your clothes, as well as prioritizing your to-do-list.

6. Results-oriented affirmations

Besides combating self-deprecating thoughts, they can boost your motivation. Also, studies show that they can reduce stress, increase creativity, and improve your problem-solving skills.

However, Elrod suggests that you affirm your commitments opposed to who you are or who you want to be. And, you can accomplish this by answering four simple questions:

• What are you committed to?
• Why is this important to you?
• What activities will help you succeed?
• When will commit to doing these activities?

7. Do an “hour of power”

“Motivation doesn’t last forever, so you need to replenish yours regularly,” writes Lianne Martha Maiquez Laroya for Lifehacker.  When you’re emotionally invested in something, you’re more motivated to see it through.

To accomplish this, block out a power hour. While you can spend this time however you please, I’d stick with things that get you pumped.

Examples include listening to a playlist or inspirational quotes, watching TED Talks etc.

8. Don’t isolate yourself

Even if you have a family and collaborate with others, it’s still important to put these relationships first.

When you do, you’ll be healthier and happier.  You can easily achieve this by doing things like eating breakfast with your family. When you get to work, greet your co-workers as they enter or a daily stand-up meeting.