right morning routine

5 Steps to Find the Right Morning Routine for You

I read all the habit experts, but the reality is that most of them are so different from me! Why would I think that a 28-year-old single man productivity expert could tell me the best routines for me, a Mom of 3, teacher, podcaster, blogger, author, and wife who is working on getting back in shape after a major injury. So, here is how I'm finding out my best routine and I hope it will help you find yours!

I've seen many productivity gurus do it — experiment on what works for them. What foods, vitamins, morning routines, and more give them the most energy. I've learned from their experiments but as I adapt my own routine this is what I've learned — what works for them, might not work for me! So, I have to do my own! Here are some steps to creating your own routine experiments.

STEP 1: IDENTIFY. Determine what routines you think you need to examine and create some experimental scenarios.

Is it your morning routine, what you're eating, lunch routine, evening routine — what is it? Then, go ahead and write down several “experiments” you think you need to do. You can see my five “experiments” for my morning routine.

My routines for expermiments.
As I plan to look at my routine, I have some constants. I want to work out, shower, spend time with God, eat breakfast and leave on time for work.

STEP 2: EVALUATE. Determine ahead of time how you will evaluate success.

I will evaluate success in several ways — all starting with P. These are mine — you know what you want to do, so write your own.

How I will evaluate success:

  • Presence of God and Abiding in Him — Do I believe my relationship with God is positively or negatively impacted? (Based off John 15)
  • Physical Impact — Weight, mood, hunger
  • Productivity — Do I believe I was more or less productive as a result of this routine or can I tell?
  • Purposeful Day – Did I have a day full of purpose or did I meander?
  • Peace of Mind — How is my peace of mind today? Did I feel scattered or focused?
  • Position — What momentum am I build towards or away from my goals?

Step 3: Do it and Log it

I'm using a yellow notebook to log my routine this morning and also noting interruptions or other issues as well. Today won't be my typical routine because I've got physical therapy this morning at 8 am. I do plan to move to a small moleskin so I can have other productivity experiments.

Step 4: Stick with it

It will take me 4-5 weeks to determine my ideal morning routine, I'm sure of that. While I can share my results with you, the results will be unique to me.

Have you ever experimented with your routines and logged the results? What did you find?

Find What Works for You

And remember that this approach can work with many aspects of your life, not just your morning routine. I guess I'm just wondering why I'm taking all these folks recommendations on habits when most of them are nothing like me. Won't my habits as a teacher and at a certain age and stage of life be different than a young man who is 28 and is now a “habit expert?” I've got kids, a busy job as a teacher, podcast, blog, church, and so many things going. I think I'm going to have to do this for myself.

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Vicki Davis

Vicki Davis

Vicki Davis is a full-time classroom teacher and IT Director in Georgia, USA. She is Mom of three, wife of one, and loves talking about the wise, transformational use of technology for teaching and doing good in the world. She hosts the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast which interviews teachers around the world about remarkable classroom practices to inspire and help teachers. Vicki focuses on what unites us -- a quest for truly remarkable life-changing teaching and learning. The goal of her work is to provide actionable, encouraging, relevant ideas for teachers that are grounded in the truth and shared with love. Vicki has been teaching since 2002 and blogging since 2005. Vicki has spoken around the world to inspire and help teachers reach their students. She is passionate about helping every child find purpose, passion, and meaning in life with a lifelong commitment to the joy and responsibility of learning. If you talk to Vicki for very long, she will encourage you to "Relate to Educate" or "innovate like a turtle" or to be "a remarkable teacher." She loves to talk to teachers who love their students and are trying to do their best. Twitter is her favorite place to share and she loves to make homemade sourdough bread and cinnamon rolls and enjoys running half marathons with her sisters. You can usually find her laughing with her students or digging into a book.

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The Cool Cat Teacher Blog
Vicki Davis writes The Cool Cat Teacher Blog for classroom teachers everywhere
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