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Hey Mamas. So, I think I’m a normal person. I don’t like mornings! In fact, I love to sleep and take naps. I can sleep just about anywhere. Just ask my husband – let’s say there are a few stories, haha! But that’s not very helpful as a mama and a business owner. I have a life to live and stuff to get done! If you’re like me and you struggle with sacrificing your sleep for productivity, if you find yourself waking up later than you’d like and scrambling to get stuff done before your kids get up, if you sludge through some of the simplest routines all day (let’s face it, if you don’t put on makeup before your kids get up, are you actually going to have time to do it the way you want?) – this post is for you.
Why This Is Something I Focus On
Whatever your “weakness” or challenge, I encourage you to figure out what it is and hone in on it. You’ll grow so much as a person! That said, getting up early is important to me for a couple reasons.
Anyone else an introvert? Do you get CRAZY when you have little tiny voices talking your ear off all day? I have three little people, and as an introvert with little extrovert daughters, I need the quiet time in the morning to charge my batteries and do all the things to get ready for my day.
In my search for a better way to do mornings, I came across this amazing book from Hal Elrod called “The Miracle Morning.” You should check it out! He basically died in a car accident, then miraculously woke up and went on to later become a speaker and author. In the book, he shares about the “miracle” 6 step routine that he discovered through reading, speaking with others and self-discovery. It’s a game changer. A couple of the key points that I took away, in addition to the routine he laid out, were that your habits become who you are, and the power of your MINDSET.
Let’s Talk Habits.
On any given day, my routine is “meh.” So so at best. I get up. I do whatever I think needs to be done before my kids get up! The Miracle Morning actually taught me about habit stacking for success… Focus on a few habits you want to have, and then sequence them together in a specific way so that you’ll know what to expect day after day and be able to stick with it. The book actually recommends some specific morning habits that the author found to work really well. He uses the acronym SAVERS – Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading and Scribing (journaling). Here are a couple of my ideas for putting these habits in place as a mom. If you want to dig a little deeper, check out the book!
- Silence – take 5 minutes to just breathe (this could be your shower time, or your first sips of coffee)
- Affirmations – if you don’t have them written down, do it now! Take 1 minute to read them out loud every day. (If you need inspiration, search “affirmations for moms” on Pinterest!)
- Visualization – Take a few minutes to think through your day and visualize what you’ll be doing and how you will do it. This is when I look at my to do list, if any. If you want to go bigger, think through your goals and your dreams for your life and family.
- Exercise – Start with 10 minutes and just go for it. It doesn’t have to be a specific program, but just get moving. You could go for a walk, or just do some pushups/situps/jumping jacks. Start simple and build from there once you’ve established the habit. Hint: You’ll want to decide what you’re doing the night before!
- Reading – I take time to read my Bible every day. It’s the most important thing I can do to get my heart in the right place! I’d also recommend reading a couple pages of a personal development book. Start the day right.
- Scribing – Once I’m done with my reading, I take out a notebook and write down a couple of things I’m thankful for, and I reflect on what I just read or what’s on my mind.
I don’t keep my habits in the same order as SAVERS in the Miracle Morning. When my feet hit the floor, I usually start with visualization. I look at my to do list and think through everything. My brain is too busy for silence right off the bat, haha! I save that one for in the shower after I do some exercise. I also add in housework at the end as a bonus habit 🙂 The housework part is key for me as a mom because, for example, cleaning the floors takes a thousand times longer and is a thousand times more frustrating when there are little people running all over it! My point is, you can make this work for you… but whatever you end up doing, stick with it and make it a sequence of habits that you can plan on.
I’ve been GUILTY of trying to rush through everything in my morning routine just so I can go back to bed for 20 minutes before the little ones get up (yes, I get up THAT early!). But then what’s the point? Get up early so I can rush through and go back to bed? I have a life to live! That bad habit (rushing and expecting to go back to bed) and that exception to the rule (hitting the snooze button on Fridays) quickly becomes “who you are” and how you treat mornings. Be very careful to set yourself up for success by focusing on doing the “good” behaviors (never miss an alarm, for example)! Don’t let those habits slip!
The Power of Mindset
There was definitely a time in my life where I needed more sleep (babies waking up at night, illness, etc.), but right now I’m in a place where I know I can handle it, and it’s not good enough for me to do the minimum in my morning routine just so I can wake up later and get more sleep. It’s time to do more, and dig deeper. I don’t want to look back on this time and wonder if I could have done more for myself and my family!
You have to reach the point where your goals are more powerful than your desire to sleep.
Your Mindset is an amazing thing. If you’re properly prepared, if you look forward to your morning and getting stuff done, making progress, setting yourself up for success, then you will succeed. The Miracle Morning helps you set up a routine to feel successful each and every morning – It’s a great resource and if this is something you struggle with, I encourage you to check it out!
Think BIG
If this is something you want to master, it takes time. You don’t have to get there overnight (pun, haha!). If morning time is what you need to give flight to your dreams, MASTER IT. If that morning routine gives you more time with your family later so you can actually play with your kids for a change, FIND A WAY to get up early. You have to WORK on your goals, THINK them through, DREAM big! If your dream doesn’t scare you, it’s probably not big enough!! When I think about the future I want for my family, it is SO VIVID, and I KNOW that I’m spending those extra 20 minutes in the morning specifically working towards that future. That knowledge is all I need to power through my routine, and do it day after day. ♥
My morning routine used to look much better. I need to get back to it. I got everything order Thank you for the inspiration and tips.
Yes! We all need a nudge now and then. I wish you luck in getting back to it! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Right now I just try and read a little bit. If my 3 year old wakes up with me, she has to get a book and read to herself. I’m going to try and incorporate a mini workout to get me energized to do more but we’ll see when that happens.
Reading is such a great way to start your day! Such a great idea to get your daughter in the habit as well 🙂 Let me know how it goes with getting the workout in! I think even 10 minutes of movement will get you energized!
Some great tips, thanks for sharing
You’re welcome! Thanks so much for reading and your feedback 🙂
This is awesome! SO helpful, thanks for sharing 🙂
You’re welcome! Happy to do it, and I really appreciate your feedback 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I try really hard to have a routine but even without kids, there are never two mornings that look the same. Spent this morning do everything that would be done normally over 7 days, (vacation prepping) and yesterday moping up pee bc my 13yr old dog started having bladder problems. As much as I’d love to get up, make the bed, go for a run, and have my morning matcha latte, it just doesn’t work out. I say do what you can and don’t stress over it too much or you’ll drive yourself crazy.
Yes, so true, Miranda! My days are never the same, and you just embrace it and keep pressing on! But I think when I put in an effort to start it right, my day goes so much better!!! Even if it’s not a super strict routine. I just LOVE how this book focuses on things that will make your day go better instead of just makeup and taking a shower, haha! I hope your vacation goes well! Where are you off to?
I just did a post on this exact topic! What a difference it makes to start the day off in the right mindset, love this post!
YES! It’s so important! My day goes so much better when I have a good morning 🙂 Thank you so much for your feedback!