I am doing my daily rituals. It is part of my success plan. It’s my time before the craziness of life comes on by.
What’s my daily ritual plan? My first cup of coffee is enjoyed at 4:00am. From that time to 5:00am, I put my to-accomplish list together for the day; get focused and really organized so I can be prepared to make things happen each day. During this time, I also take time to think about what I am grateful for in my life. I believe I always have things to be thankful for in life. At 5:00am, I start my daily exercise routine. I do this at least 5 or 6 days per week. I lift weights, do some cardio; I do something to get the energy flowing. During this time, I also catch up with my social media contacts, and do what I can to spread lots of inspiration their way.
What is the purpose of me telling you my daily morning rituals? Well, SO many people ask me how I keep healthy emotionally and physically and keep myself inspired during the day. I am passionate that positive, daily morning rituals are part of an overall success and happiness plan.
These are the reasons I believe everyone needs to do healthy morning rituals each and every day!
- It gets you focused, organized and prepared for the day.
- Keeps you feeling healthy and strong on the inside which definitely help you feel confident and strong on the outside.
- You’re doing something just for YOU each and every day.
What are your daily positive rituals? What do you do just for YOU at the start of the day? Or what daily rituals are you going to start today? I’d love to hear from you! Post your comments on the blog today!
I love this post because it resonates with me on so many levels.
I too get up early in the morning to plan out my day. I wake up every day at 5:00am. I take this time from 5-6am to enjoy my coffee, and watch the sunrise while thinking about my day.
This quiet time, when everyone is asleep and the house is so quiet, is my personal time. I give thanks to having another beautiful day, I give thanks for the health of my children, my family and myself and I am thankful for the ability to work and make a difference in this world.
I have a child with autism and a lot of my time is devoted to him. I have a website/blog about autism (www.speakingautism.ca) and I’m
a certified life coach that coaches on autism, relationships, personal well-being and woman’s coaching.
Getting up early and taking some time for me to reflect on my day makes things clearer for me. I write down what absolutely must get done for the day and what I want to do for the day.
Breaking things down in small portions every day doesn’t feel like a huge mountain must be climbed at the beginning of the week. A little bit each day makes it easy to focus and keeps you motivated. And before you know it, at the end of the week, you will realize just how much you did! And that is an awesome feeling!
I also live with an attitude of gratitude. I believe positive attracts positive and I wouldn’t want to live my life any other way!
So thank you for the wonderful post and I will think of you as I sip on my coffee watching the sunrise tomorrow morning! Xoxo
Linda
Linda, thank you SO much for your wonderful comments. It is SO important to have those times just for ourselves in order to get a great jump start on our day. You truly have fantastic gifts to share with the world and I am behind you 100% of the way. Keep on doing what you are doing, because you are awesome Linda!
Great post Cynthia. I depend on my morning rituals or my schedule. The early morning quiet allows me to gather my thoughts before the chaos of the day begins. Giving thanks is the first thing I do in the morning, as you said there is always something to be grateful for. You’re blogs are always insightful, informative and inspiring! Awesome!
Terri
Thanks so much Terri for your comments. That’s awesome that you start your day with gratitude and giving thanks. I truly believe that gets us all going the right way at the start of each day. Have a fantastic week!
Hello Cynthia
You have written a lovely post about early morning rituals. It resonates quite well with me as well. I too have rituals I follow each morning. Firstly before I even get out of bed I read my prayer book and choose a devotion each day to read. This has helped me immensely to gather my thoughts and give thanks for a new day.
I used to be up at the crack of dawn for several years while raising my children, working full time as a preschool and kindergarten teacher. My kids are 19 and 22, in university, so our family schedules are quite different on many levels.
I have taken an early retirement as you know so now I sleep in until 7:00 am. I enjoy listening to soft classical music, drinking my Java and writing down my to-do-list while having breakfast. One thing I do, is devote 1-3hrs, 3-4days a weeks to volunteer work.It’s one of the special things I enjoy so much. There is no better feeling than giving back to members in my own local community, local schools, community centres, nursing homes, and my own volunteer charity work.
I think its so important to have these calming early morning rituals, it helps to ease your mind of stress, and helps you to focus on your busy day!!
Jackie
Jackie, thank you so much for sharing your daily, positive routine! I absolutely love what you are doing. I especially love how you play soft classical music while drinking coffee and getting your list together for the day. And that is SO awesome about you volunteering… Giving back is always so inspiring. Thank you my friend for your inspirational comments. I wish you the best day!
Hi Cynthia,
Good Job!
I follow a similar morning routine.
If I change it once or twice a week, it does motivate me. I am more productive and creative if I don’t follow the same routine (rituals) each day.
Some days I sleep in and get up at 5:00am.
Your Friend,
Brad
managementbrad
Thank you Brad for your comments. You make a good point, that sometimes we maybe we need to change things up, so that we keep fresh and inspired. I appreciate you my friend. Thanks for being YOU!
Hi Cynthia,
FAB post as usual!
I agree with you on exercise (weights & cardio for me) in the morning. The positive energy and strength you get from that (both mentally and physically) is awesome and keeps you fueled for the rest of the day. After that I take care of social media and do that a few times a day to keep that positive vibe going. Many great & positive friends there.
You have to share your secret with me on how you can do weights & cardio that early in the morning without waking the whole house!!! I do mean that!!! =)
Looking forward to your next post & wishing you a FAB day!,
Franca
Thank you Franca for your comments! I totally agree that exercising first thing in the morning keeps you fueled up for the rest of the day. Anytime you want to talk fitness Franca, you let me know! Thanks for being SO awesome and I wish you an amazing day!
So many years ago a wise mentor of mine said that getting up early is the first and most important rule in being successful. You just get a head start on all things new and fresh when you’re up before anyone else. It sounds crazy when you say to someone, “I get up at 4am” but it sounds even crazier to me when someone says, “I get up at 8am.” My first thought is, “The day has already passed by!!”
That morning ritual is very important too. Robin Sharma (a thought leader in positive life coaching) has a recipe for success that includes reflection/journaling, exercise and affirmations. Cynthia has nailed that in this blog entry. You must have these three in your daily ritual or you won’t reach the level of success you desire.
Good stuff here – I always appreciate reading what you’ve shared – thank you.
Sheryl Brown
@BionicSocialite
Thank you SO much Sheryl for your comments. I have heard that too from SO many leaders, that getting up early in the morning is definitely part of the recipe for success! It’s such a peaceful time, time just for ourselves and you can get in the right positive mindset for the rest of the day. Thanks for being so great Sheryl. I wish you a fantastic day!
I absolutely LOVE your morning routine, Cynthia! It’s all about taking care of ourselves before we are ready to take care of others.
Your routine is a lot more disciplined then my own routine. I get up at 5:30am and drink a pint of warm lemon water. This helps to clear my mind and wake my body. Then it’s 30 minutes of deep stretching to further wake my muscles before starting the day.
My sleep and stretching are the most important areas of my day due to a health thing. But, I would love to have the extra time to put my day together before everyone wakes.
Your post has me thinking… thanks!
Thanks Shannon for your comments! I really appreciate your input and you have got me thinking of some additional things I would love to incorporate into my morning routine. I especially need to drink more water during the day! I appreciate you my friend and we have a phone call to do…. very soon! Have a great day!
Wow! I’m so impressed that you’re up every morning at 4:00 AM. I haven’t done that since my days in the US Army! Your post comes at a good time because I’m trying to establish a 5:00 AM routine and you have inspired me with your story!
It’s great to have you out there “walking the talk” and setting the bar for us on so many levels! Thanks for the inspiration and motivation you provide by being who you are!
Thank you Rick for your comments! I appreciate YOU very much and you are such an inspiration to me. I am glad that my story inspired you for your daily, positive routine. I wish you an AWESOME day my friend!
Hi Cynthia,
Great post! Wow! 4am!!! So inspiring, but too dark o’clock for me.
I’m not naturally a morning person and my peak creativity is usually in the evening. I have conditioned myself to an earlier morning start in the summer. But my morning routines shift a little bit seasonally. In the summer I’m eager to take advantage of all the amazing daylight we have, so my morning usually starts at 5:30a. I start with oil pulling and journaling (aka Daily Pages) as a way of detoxing both physically and mentally and getting rid of any mental fog upon awakening. Then I do the tibetan rites. At this time of year I like to get my workout done early in the day, so a 60 minute run followed by 60 minutes in the sauna. In the winter the run and the sauna usually get done at the end of the day. I find my morning routines center and ground me, especially when I travel.
I think friends and family are extremely important to staying motivated. We all are human and it’s natural for each one of us to feel like we are “inadequate” at times. I really lean on them (including you Cynthia!) to get me through rough times. However, I do feel solid and proud of my professional background and know that I can succeed in my future endeavors. Of course it’s a daily grind sometimes. We all have good days and bad days!
Thank you so much Geoffrey for your comments. You bring up such a great point about surrounding ourselves with supportive people in our lives. It is SO important to have that support network for both the good and challenging days. Thank you my friend. I appreciate YOU!
Cynthia!!! Love your blog Darlin!! I am so inspired by your example!!! I try to start each day in a positive way! When I wake up the first thing I do is focus on my faith & count my blessings!!! But I know I can do better ~ thank you for motivating me and spurring me on!!! Adore You Sunshine!!! :))
Thank you SO much Carla for your comments! I adore you also! I love how you count your blessings at the beginning of the day. Starts the day in the BEST way!
Hi Cynthia.. Looks like I’m the slacker here. Love your post. My ritual starts the night before. As I’m drifting into sleep I like to review my day and give thanks for the people, places and things that put a smile on my face. I visualize and relive the experience and give thanks. That goes a long way in keeping me happy.
In the morning I start my day at 6am. I read from Og Mandino’s “The Ten Scrolls” in the manner prescribed. I make a list of the 3 things I can do that day that will make the most impact in moving my business forward.
I lift weights, take the dog for a walk. Then it’s breakfast and usually 1/2 + hour of studying selling/marketing. Then I have a work routine that I execute.
“In truth, the only difference between those who have failed and those who have succeeded lies in the differences of their habits. Good habits are the key to all success. Bad habits are the unlocked door to failure. Thus, the first law I will obey,which precedeth all others is – I will form good habits and become their slave.” Og Mandino
Thanks for your daily inspiration Cynthia.
Thank you so much Tom for your comments. I love your morning rituals! What is most important is that these positive rituals work for YOU! You are a positive example of doing what is right for YOU!
You’re right, Cynthia. Morning rituals are important. They set the tone for the day and are a great way to take care of ourselves. Since I’ve been convalescing, my morning ritual is a slow, long one. After a long sleep, until my body is ready to wake, I greet my Heavenly Father with a prayer. I make a wholesome breakfast, clean up the kitchen and run a load or two of laundry. Then, I settle in to connect with my friends on social media while curled up with my Abby kitty and a cup of tea in my favorite chair. Then, it’s off to folding clothes and ironing, daily exercising,and cleaning one room in my cabin. Then, I write, write, write.
Thank you Cat for your comments on my blog. I appreciate you so much and am so glad we have connected. Your morning rituals sound so peaceful….Thank you for sharing more about you. I wish you a wonderful week ahead!
Hi Cynthia. I wanted to find out what time you go to sleep at night to get up at 4:00am? I get up at 6:00am. Some of my writing friends get up at 5:00am. I have a corporate America job that zaps my energy. I would like to get up earlier.
Thank you so much for your question and comment! I have a very busy schedule but am committed to go to sleep at night during the weekdays by 9:30pm/10:00pm so I can easily get up early in the morning and get things done!
I am not a morning person. I love mornings, but need quiet time to get my mojo started for the day. My routine involves my morning coffee of course, and usually a positive affirmation to set my intention for the day. It goes something like this: “Today is going to a wonderful, effortless, and productive day filled with love and positive energy!”. It is amazing how smoothly your day goes when you start with a positive affirmation.
Peace and Love,
Ang 🙂
Fantastic Cynthia! I am a morning Person on weekdays, it’s so refreshing when you get up in the early hours, your mind is rejuvenated, relaxed, calm, and you are so ready to begin the day! Now it’s up to us to define the day! Starting it out positively, laying out the plan, and bam it lines up accordingly! Sometimes I’m up at 3:00am to study or finish up my work, and connect with my friends around the world! I am so inspired by you Cynthia. Keep Rocking, We love you! You are awesome!
Thank you for sharing.