A Realistic Morning Routine You Can Try

Summary

Two years ago, I struggled with a chaotic and unproductive morning routine, wasting time on social media and video games. However, I developed a simple, realistic routine that transformed my life. The key is starting the night before by going to bed early, ensuring enough sleep. In the morning, I wake up at 6:00 a.m., meditate for 5 minutes, journal gratitude, and do light exercise like 30 push-ups and sit-ups. The goal is consistency — start small and gradually increase as the habit solidifies. This approach, not extreme routines, is what leads to real, lasting change.

Takeaways

• 😀 Starting your day with a poor morning routine (like hitting snooze, scrolling through social media, and avoiding productive tasks) can set a negative tone for the rest of the day.
• 😀 The most important part of a morning routine actually begins the night before—getting enough sleep is crucial for waking up energized and ready to tackle the day.
• 😀 Establishing a consistent bedtime (around 10:00 p.m.) helps ensure you wake up refreshed, avoiding sleep deprivation and fatigue.
• 😀 A realistic morning routine doesn’t require waking up at 4:00 a.m. or following extreme habits. Small, simple actions can lead to big changes over time.
• 😀 Meditation (even just 5 minutes) can help clear your mind, improve focus, and set a calm tone for the day ahead.
• 😀 Starting small with habits, such as 5-minute meditation or gratitude journaling, is key to building consistency and progress.
• 😀 Gratitude journaling is an effective way to train your brain to focus on positivity and can lead to a shift in mindset over time.
• 😀 Exercise, even in small doses (like 30 push-ups and 30 sit-ups), helps build the habit of being physically active, which is crucial for both mental and physical well-being.
• 😀 Consistency is more important than intensity when building habits. Starting small and gradually increasing intensity is a sustainable approach.
• 😀 The mind often creates excuses for why we can’t start improving, but pushing past those excuses and starting today can lead to meaningful change in the long run.
• 😀 The first step to changing your life is committing to a simple routine and following it for at least one week, after which you can gradually add more habits and challenge yourself further.

Q & A

Why does the speaker emphasize going to bed early the night before?

The speaker highlights that the most important factor for a productive morning routine is getting enough sleep. Going to bed early ensures that you wake up feeling rested and energetic, avoiding the effects of sleep deprivation that can ruin the rest of the day.

What is the purpose of the meditation practice in the morning routine?

The meditation helps calm the mind and prepare the individual for the day ahead. It’s a crucial part of the routine because it helps build focus, reduces stress, and fosters mindfulness, even if it starts with just five minutes.

Why does the speaker choose a 5-minute meditation over a longer session?

The speaker recommends starting with just five minutes because it’s more achievable and realistic for beginners. Gradual growth in meditation duration is encouraged once consistency is established.

What role does gratitude journaling play in the morning routine?

Gratitude journaling helps shift the mindset to a more positive and thankful perspective. Writing down things you're grateful for cultivates a sense of peaceful happiness, which contrasts with the instant gratification of social media.

How does the speaker suggest starting physical exercise in the morning?

The speaker advises starting with small, manageable exercises, like 30 push-ups and 30 sit-ups, to build the habit of working out. This avoids the pressure of extreme workouts and makes it easier to stick to the routine.

Why does the speaker caution against extreme morning routines?

The speaker believes extreme routines, like waking up at 4 a.m. and working out for hours, are unrealistic for most people and not sustainable in the long term. Instead, they advocate for a simple and consistent approach that’s easier to follow.

What does the speaker mean by 'level one morning routine'?

The 'level one morning routine' refers to a simple and basic set of activities that anyone can start with. It involves manageable tasks like meditation, journaling, and light physical activity that are easy to do consistently without feeling overwhelmed.

Why does the speaker discourage making the routine harder right away?

The speaker suggests starting with simple tasks and sticking to them for at least a week before trying to make the routine more difficult. The idea is that consistency, not intensity, is key to building lasting habits.

What is the speaker’s view on 'mindlessly waking up' in the morning?

The speaker believes that waking up without intention or a plan sets the day off on a negative note. Starting the day without a structured morning routine can lead to feelings of defeat and unproductive behavior throughout the day.

How does the speaker suggest handling excuses for not following the routine?

The speaker acknowledges that excuses are natural but urges viewers to push through them. They suggest recognizing that these excuses are just mental barriers and encourage viewers to commit to the routine, starting immediately.