What’s the first thing you do every morning to set the right tone for a successful day, and why do you think it’s effective?
These answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invitation-only organization made up of the world’s most successful young entrepreneurs. YEC members represent nearly every industry, generate billions of dollars in revenue annually and have created tens of thousands of jobs. More information at yec.co.
1. Drink your coffee first
It may sound cliché, but when I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is grab a cup of coffee. I need caffeine to get through the day and also to wake up early enough to tackle my to-do list and stay productive. For you, this could be herbal tea or an energy drink, but it works the same way. It gives me the motivation to get out of bed and gives me the right mindset for the day.
– Jared Atchison, WPForms
2. Avoid interacting with your devices
Avoid device interaction at all costs! Don’t answer that phone when you turn around. Instead, every day I think of something new that I am grateful for. It’s amazing how many unimportant things we take for granted. Doing this daily can make you think (and appreciate) so much more. You build an attitude of gratitude, something that always makes me hyper to crush the day ahead. Just be grateful.
– Frank B. Mengert, ebm
3. Meditate
I meditate for at least 10 minutes, sometimes much longer. I’ve done it every day for the past three years. I try to center myself before starting a busy day. It helps me stay grounded in what I can and cannot control during the day so I can better focus my energy and time.
– Danielle Allen, Building Impact
4. Exercise after a healthy breakfast
My regimen is pretty much set in stone: a breakfast that isn’t filled with a bunch of junk, and then a solid workout at the gym. When I follow that routine, which I try to do as much as possible, I have found my days to be successful, effective and very productive.
–Andrew Schrage, Money Crashers Personal Finance
5. Go for a morning run
I like to go for a 45 to 60 minute run every weekday morning (outside if the weather permits). This helps me start the day with a clear mind and feeling energetic.
– Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
6. Listen to music while reading the news
Every morning I listen to music while reading the news. It sounds like a simple routine, but I really think it’s an effective strategy for setting the tone for the day. The music helps me wake up and get ready for the day, while reading the news keeps me up to date on technical and global events.
– John Brackett, Smash Balloon LLC
7. Plan your daily activities
I start by planning daily activities. This allows me to get a clear idea of the distribution of my day and start on the more important tasks, delegate the less rigorous tasks and take the time to take care of all the indispensable matters without neglecting any of them and without oversaturating my working day. I consider each of these things important for a successful day.
– Kevin Leyes, Leyes Media
8. Start with the biggest task of the day
Everyone has a ritual or routine that gets them through the day. For me, I’ve found that tackling the biggest task of the day quickly sets the tone for a very productive day and even week. It gets difficult quickly, but I tackle that problem the best I can. I usually get the hard work done and then move on to other tasks with more energy.
– Samuel Thimothy, OneIMS
9. Start with a positive, outgoing text message
I start every morning with a positive, outgoing text message that I send to a family member, friend, or loved one, such as “Hello, good morning, have a nice day!” I love you!” This simple, positive outward movement is a quick way to start the morning with an uplifting intention and set the tone for the rest of the day.
– Lisa Song Sutton, Sin City Cupcakes
10. Clear your inbox
The first thing I do in the morning is email. I wake up super early and clear out my inbox from the night before, which literally allows me to start the day with a clean slate instead of feeling overwhelmed and underwater. This changes my mindset and approach with the team and decision making.
– Ashley Merrill, Lunya
11. Journal for half an hour
A powerful way to start the morning is to journal for about half an hour. This helps you get all your superficial thoughts, which are often negative and compulsive, down on paper, freeing up the rest of the day for more creative ideas. If you do this for a few weeks, you will inexplicably start to feel lighter and happier.
–Blair Williams, MemberPress