It is an hour-and-a-half before work, and the alarm starts beeping. You turn off the offending sound and stare at the ceiling for a minute or two, still quite unsure whether you are half-awake or half-asleep. You make your way to the bathroom to get ready, and as the cold water from the shower removes the last vestiges of sleep from your body, your mind begins to wonder: what should I eat for breakfast today? Did I send the attachment that so-and-so requested yesterday? Should I make a quick trip to the gym after work? Before you knew it, almost an hour had passed, and you were still standing in front of your dresser, trying to decide which tie or pair of shoes goes with what. With roughly 30 minutes remaining to go to work, you hastily grab an energy bar (or maybe an apple) before rushing out the door. Repeat this process five days a week, and you know pretty well how it ends up – with you being burned out and having no clue about what went wrong.
Does this scenario sound familiar to you? If yes, then you are not alone – many of us go through the same (if not exact) version of this situation. Many of us go fair; waking up each day with a clear sense of purpose and a vision is not the easiest thing to do. We are humans, after all, and we have our personal highs and lows. But there is something you can do to stop the miserable cycle of waking up and getting lost in the flurry of day-to-life.
“The Miracle Morning”: How Does it Work?
“The Miracle Morning” is a bestselling productivity routine book by author Hal Elrod. In summary, the book discusses the “not-so-obvious secret” of a “life-changing morning routine” in six steps. This may sound too good to be true for some, but many devout “Miracle Morning” fans swear by it and claim that the lessons in the book help them face each morning “with more energy, focus, and motivation” to fulfill their goals.
The author seems to have a good grasp of what he is talking about in the book, as he himself had encountered several setbacks in life. He got involved in two life-threatening accidents and bankruptcy, and he conquered both then became an author,
ultramarathoner, and an international keynote speaker. Plus, he’s a husband and a father at the age of 30. How’s that even possible when we cannot bother getting out of bed each day without some struggle, right?!
Following “The Miracle Morning” Routine
Elrod introduced “S.A.V.E.R.S.,” a neat abbreviation of the six best practices in “The Miracle Morning” routine:
“S” stands for “Silence.”
“A” for “Affirmations”
“V” for “Visualization”
“E” for “Exercise”
“R” for “Reading,” and
“S” for “Scribing”
Let us take a closer look at how these steps can help save us “from a life of unfulfilled potential”!
1. Wake up early
“The Miracle Morning” routine starts early in the day – it’s not called the “Miracle Lunch” for a reason, you know. Most high achievers wake up in the early hours of the morning to give themselves a headstart, as you may call it. If you are a night owl, this might be a challenge. However, you will be surprised to know that being a morning person has huge health benefits: lower stress levels increased productivity and focus, and greater creativity. Studies also suggest that people who wake up early have higher levels of well-being and positivity.
2. Practice meditation
Anyone can practice meditation in various forms. It can be as simple as spending a few minutes every morning in silence, with an intent to clear your mind from all stress and worries. Or, if time does not permit, you can also practice meditation while doing small tasks such as making your bed or coffee. Meditation does not have to be complicated. You have to concentrate on the task on hand and think about nothing else – put all your energy and focus into it.
3. Recite affirmations out loud
The term “manifesting” has been flooding social media sites lately, and all for good reasons. Manifesting the good things that you want to achieve helps foster positivity and inspire action. Similarly, reciting affirmations or positive statements can cheer you up and give you a better mindset for the day. Saying “I will do my best at work today” or “I will strive to become a better version of myself” can uplift your spirits and allow you to visualize the things that you want to happen. And if you have a solid picture of a goal in your mind, you will be ready to face anything that comes in your path.
4. Engage in physical activities
Get your blood running hot by doing some light exercise in the morning. You have many options: you can jog, brisk walk, do yoga, swim, or perform calisthenic exercises if you are up to it. Exercise not only improves the physique but one’s mental health as well. According to an article by the American Psychological Association, physical activities have a great mood-enhancing effect and can alleviate long-term depression. Establishing a daily exercise routine will prepare you physically and mentally for any challenge that the day will bring.
5. Read and write to sharpen your mind
Instead of killing time by scrolling through endless social media posts, why don’t you try to read a book? “The Miracle Morning” routine suggests reading ten pages of self-help books every morning. Or, if you have not yet found a self-help book that piques your interest, you can try revisiting a book or any reading material that positively impacted you. The objective of this exercise is to help you broaden your knowledge and, at the same time, help you find pleasure in reading.
Hal Elrod also recommends putting ideas and thoughts on paper to organize thinking. You can write on a diary or keep a digital journal, and this will serve as a record of ideas, feelings, and moments that you may want to look back on. You can also write about the things that you are grateful for. There’s no limit on what you can put into words – you can be as crazy, sentimental, and creative as you want!
Remember: starting the day right starts at doing the right things. You can follow any morning routine that you prefer; the steps from “The Miracle Morning” book are simply guidelines to help you establish a routine that you would actually enjoy. Take it slow and easy and take small steps at a time; you don’t have to conform to any rigid or strict routine. Just breathe, think positive thoughts, and put your game face on as you conquer each day!
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