Creating A Morning Routine To Boost Your Performance
Routines are so important. They help us have structure and stability in our days! Most of us tend to have routines when it comes to waking up at home or ending the night before bed, but have you considered creating a morning routine for work? I lived through a corporate restructure after having twins. To say I was anxious at work is an understatement.
People naturally fear change and when an element of ‘surprise’ who gets to be made redundant is added to the mix, it makes for very grim chats by the cooler, guys. Grim. And what I soon realised this was affecting my performance and quite honestly, emotional health. I knew things had to change so I switched up my attitude, thought of some action items and implemented a workplace morning routine in the office that completely helped! Here are some tips and tricks that I have used to help me develop the perfect morning routine for the workplace.
Write down an intention for your workday BEFORE turning your computer on.
This simple step can be what sets the tone for your whole day! Put your intention on your to-do list or write it on a post-it to display on your computer monitor. Let it serve as a reminder throughout your day. Let that intention be your focus, not all of the other things swirling in your brain.
Take 5 deep breaths.
I was coming into work harried because I was trying to get there on time after dropping the children off and then faced a stressful commute to work to dive into the madness. Slowing down, taking a moment to pause, and creating a routine around centering yourself can work wonders. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Try holding that deep breath in a few seconds as well. This process can allow you to calm down and reset.
Take 5 - Literally.
Dr. Woodward, Ph.D., organizational psychologist and author of The YOU Plan. “This is a good way to set the tone of the day. Don’t allow yourself to be rushed by frantic co-workers lost in their own confusion.” It’s not unusual to wake up to a long backlog of e-mails just screaming for your attention, he adds. “The challenge is taking a moment for yourself before diving headfirst into your day.”
During my “take 5” time, I like to draft a list of things I needed to get to during the course of my day to keep me focused on tasks. This brain dump allows me to get it all in one place and not worry about items slipping through the cracks.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to be more productive is refusing to stop working which can lead to burnout and laziness in the long run so be sure to take breaks when you need them!
Tidy Up & Pack Up.
Consider this your “bedtime routine” for work! Know when you need to start winding down so you can leave on time, tidy up so you can start tomorrow with a clean slate! Don’t work crazy hours, but stick to those boundaries that help you live a balanced life!
Creating a routine at work can be so helpful to keep you proactive, with greater presence, and it helps you feel empowered! Consider developing a routine of your own and see the positive changes that occur! When your daily rhythm contains the space for you to get things done, accomplishing goals becomes a way of life. Positive habits, such as established household rhythms, work to save energy and brain power for the times you need it.
