And a quick rundown on habits, routines, and rituals.
So, for the third time this week, you hit snooze one too many times, and now you’re scrambling to shower, eat, let the dog out, and look presentable for back-to-back Zoom calls—all in just 20 minutes. The day hasn’t even started, and you’re already feeling frazzled and stressed. By the end of the week, you’re totally wiped out and know you won’t get through your to-do list.
How do you break this cycle? Simple: routines.
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Having solid morning and evening routines can really set you up for success. They help you get more done, think straight, and focus on what really matters. Instead of just drifting through your day, you’ll make sure you tackle the important stuff.
It just takes a little discipline and some routines that work for you. Here’s the lowdown on what routines are all about, plus 14 easy morning and evening routines to help you have more productive days.
The Science Behind Habits and Routines
7 Morning Routines to Jumpstart Your Day
7 Evening Routines to Prep for Tomorrow
First off, what’s a routine? It’s just a series of actions you do over and over again.
Brushing your teeth before bed? That’s a routine. Waking up at 6 a.m. to work out? Routine. Grabbing a bagel and checking the news before work? Yep, routine. Even munching on chips while binge-watching Netflix counts! They’re all things you do regularly—like a rhythm in your life.
But not all routines are created equal. Just because you do something a lot doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Still, every routine has power.
Routines Make You a High Achiever
As Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
In his book Daily Rituals: How Artists Work, Mason Currey dives into the habits and routines of tons of artists, from Maya Angelou to Louis Armstrong. Even though their routines were all different, each person had steps they followed to get into the right mindset.
Currey found that a good routine can help you make the most of your time, willpower, and energy. It creates a groove for your brain to follow, helping you stay focused and avoid getting sidetracked by your mood.
Take Shonda Rhimes, for example. She has a strict morning routine that includes breakfast, exercise, and writing while listening to music. Or James Clear, who starts his day with a simple “pre-game routine” of pouring a cold glass of water.
Whether it’s a complex routine or just one small action to signal it’s time to get to work, successful people find what works for them and stick to it. They often credit these routines as key to their success.
Routines Put Your Brain on Autopilot
So, what makes the routines of high achievers so effective? We’re creatures of habit, and we can use that to our advantage. In The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg explains how habits can put our brains into automatic mode, requiring little to no willpower.
Here’s how it works:
- Cue: Something happens that signals your brain to switch to “automatic” mode. For example, waking up means it’s coffee time for me.
- Routine: This is when I actually make the coffee, wait for it to brew, pour it into my favorite mug, and enjoy it by the window.
- Reward: The delicious coffee reinforces the routine, so I do it again the next day.
Making coffee is just one small routine, but doing it consistently helps keep me going. Imagine if other important tasks felt as easy as making coffee!
That’s the power of routines. Small, repeated actions can lead to big results. By having morning and evening routines, you can set yourself up for maximum productivity every day.
Habits vs. Routines vs. Rituals
Curious about the difference between habits, routines, and rituals? Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- Habits: Things you do automatically, like checking your email first thing in the morning.
- Routines: A collection of habits or actions you do regularly to bring order to your day, like checking email and then writing your to-do list.
- Rituals: Similar to routines, but with a different mindset. For example, a daily walk can be a routine if you see it as a productivity booster, or a ritual if you view it as a way to enjoy nature. Most routines can become rituals with a shift in perspective.
7 Morning Routines to Kickstart Your Day
Everyone’s morning routine is different, but finding what works for you is key. Here are seven great ways to start your day off right:
- Wake Up Early: Many successful people rise early to get a head start on the day. For example, Richard Branson wakes up at 5:45 a.m. to kitesurf and have breakfast, while Indra Nooyi used to wake up at 4 a.m. to read emails before work.
- Make Your Bed: Admiral William H. McCraven says making your bed every morning gives you a sense of accomplishment and sets the tone for a productive day.
- Recite Affirmations: Positive statements can help you reframe your mindset and overcome negative thoughts. For example, “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”
- Get Moving: Starting your day with exercise boosts your energy and mood. You don’t need a gym—just a quick walk or stretch will do!
- Eat a Healthy Breakfast: A nutritious breakfast can really impact your mood and energy. Think lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbs.
- Drink Water: Staying hydrated is super important for your health. Try swapping your morning coffee for a glass of water to kickstart your hydration.
- Take a Cold Shower: It might sound intense, but many people swear by cold showers for a quick energy boost and improved mood.
These might seem like small changes, but when you put them together into a consistent morning routine, you’ll be ready to tackle whatever the day throws at you.
7 Evening Routines to Set Up for Tomorrow
Just like mornings, your evenings matter too. Here are some evening routines to help you wind down and prep for the next day:
- Set Goals for Tomorrow: Write down your top tasks for the next day so you can hit the ground running.
- Reflect on Your Wins: Take a moment to celebrate what you accomplished during the day. It helps keep things in perspective.
- Clear Your Mind: Before bed, do something relaxing to help you unwind, like meditating or journaling.
- Prep for Tomorrow: Lay out your clothes, pack your lunch, and get everything ready for the next day to minimize morning stress.
- Tidy Up: Spend a few minutes cleaning up to avoid waking up to a messy space.
- Take a Post-Dinner Walk: A quick stroll after dinner can help with digestion and clear your mind.
- Practice Good Sleep Hygiene: Stick to a sleep schedule, limit screen time before bed, and keep your room dark and cool.
To build consistent morning and evening routines, try making a checklist to follow each day until it becomes second nature. You can even use your phone to automate parts of your routine, like playing your favorite morning playlist when your alarm goes off.
At first, sticking to routines might feel like a chore, but the more you do it, the easier it gets. Soon, they’ll become a natural part of your daily life.
Related Reading:
- The Best Habit Tracker Apps
- Daily Scheduling Methods for More Focus
- How to Rebuild Your Work Habits
- Taking a Personal Inventory
- 8 End-of-Day Routines for Better Mornings
