Image: Don McCullough http://www.flickr.com/photos/69214385@N04/
If you want to get something important done get it done before breakfast. That’s the advice from Laura Vanderkam, author of What the Most Successful People do Before Breakfast.
Vanderkam cites Florida State University research, which indicates that willpower is a muscle and fatigues as the day wears on. Knowing this, it’s wise to get that which takes willpower and effort out of the road early, while your stores of willpower are high.
According to Vanerkam there are 12 things that successful people do at the start of the day that others don’t.
1. Get up early.
Most top operators are up anytime after 4. 6am is late. 4:30 is common. Many are at work by 7am.
2. They hit the pavement or gym first
Well, duh. Leaving it until the end of the day is a recipe for running out of time and willpower.
3. Work on big, important projects
Get something important done, something that’s going to make a difference.
4. Work on passion projects
Nope, that doesn’t mean THAT – although it could. What it does mean is taking the time to do something on a personal project, like writing a book or a screenplay.
5. Invest time with the family
That means chatting with the kids, getting them ready for school and helping them prepare for their day.
6. Spend time with your spouse
Rita and I have a coffee together every morning around 7am. It’s a nice way to come up to speed together, especially if you’ve done well in step 4.
7. Network
Breakfast and coffee is a great way to get the day off to a flying start while you’re building your network.
8. Meditate
If you have a lot going on it makes sense to give yourself the time and space to clear your mind. Observe like a sentry on nightwatch.
9. Write things down you’re grateful for
It’s a great way to put yourself in a positive frame of mind. Make it even more impactful by writing handwritten thank you notes.
10. Plan and strategise
If you haven’t planned your day before you hit the office it’s too late. The quiet of the morning is a great time for big-picture thinking.
11. Check your email
If you’re going to do this, don’t just check it – get your inbox down to zero. Delete early, delete often.
12. Read the news
That might be via an app, Twitter or a newsreader. Whichever way they do it with purpose.
What’s your morning ritual?
