5 Steps to your Ultra-Productive 30-minute Morning Routine

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Did you know that your morning routine can set the tone for your entire day? How you start each day can either lead you to massive success or huge letdowns.

Time is one of your most precious resources as an entrepreneur, so making the most of your time and maximizing pockets of time throughout the day is critical for success.

You can choose to hit the snooze button and sleep in (a subtle form of procrastination) or you can spring out of bed and get the day rockin and rolling. Set the alarm to wake you up 30-minutes earlier so there’s no anxiety and you don’t feel rushed.

It’s really easy once you get yourself into this simple 30-minute routine. You are probably already doing most of this routine in one form or the other, but if you’ll commit to following this format for the next few weeks, you’ll find yourself starting each day looking forward to what lies ahead.

Here are 5 steps to your ultra-productive 30-minute morning routine.

1. Wash your face and brush your teeth (3 minutes)

The first thing you should do when you get up is to wash your face and brush your teeth. First of all, it’s refreshing but more importantly as you sleep your mouth tends to get dry and produce less saliva. This decrease in saliva can allow bacteria to increase. Thoroughly brush your teeth and tongue for a full 2-minutes (Sonicare toothbrushes come with a 2-minute timer) to get rid of the increased nighttime bacteria.

2. Drink water (1 minute)

Just like your mouth gets dry during sleep, the rest of your body and brain also need water. Our bodies are more than 60 percent water and prone to dehydration. I find that drinking a glass of water right after I wake up makes me feel like I’ve started the day doing something good for myself. You are also more likely to continue making healthy choices throughout the day. I like to add a little lemon or lime juice to my water (since citrus is known to be an excellent cleanser).

3. Quiet Time (7 minutes)

Allow yourself 6-7 minutes of quiet time. Use this time to clear your mind, read scriptures, set your intentions for the day, identify what you are grateful for, or just to breathe deeply in and out. Try to spend your quiet time in the same place in your home every day.

4. Focus (4 minutes)

For me focus is different from quiet time. Now I’m allowing myself to outline what things I need to accomplish during the day. Here is where you can review your calendar and prioritize what actions you need to take. You know what needs to get done and your brain has the clarity to start the day the right way.

5. Exercise (15 minutes)

Exercise is a big part of creating your success. The human body was built for movement. Exercise gets your blood flowing and helps to keep you alert and energized. You don’t have to go to the gym or work yourself into a frenzy. Walking on a treadmill, yoga, and jumping rope are a few simple exercises you can do to jumpstart your day. Always stretch before and after any workout routine to warm your muscles up, increase your flexibility, and prevent injuries.

That’s it. After you do these 5 simple steps you’ll be ready to head to the shower and set your day up for massive success. You’ll have the mental clarity to give yourself a running start on your competition and the workday ahead.

What are some of the things that you do in the morning to start your day on the right foot?

P.S. Here’s 1 more tip you can use to maximize your time if you are still working your 9-5 while building your business. Listen to Inner Circle audios on the drive to work.