12 Tips for Morning Motivation

Many people suffer from a lack of motivation in the morning. It’s hard to get out of bed, and it’s no fun running around the house trying to get ready when you’re already almost late. There seem to be so many things to do you might lose focus on what really is important to you.

Sometimes we only feel motivated and ready to tackle the day a couple of times a month, if even that. And that is normal. But it is also something that can be fixed. If you want tips for morning motivation, keep reading. I promise you will start feeling better every morning if you try these tips.

Morning motivation comes primarily from good, well-structured mornings. The kind of mornings that set a good vibe for the rest of the day. We all face different kinds of challenges in our morning routines and our daily lives. Not everyone will benefit from the same advice. Different life situations can also present different kinds of challenges in the mornings.

That’s why I have compiled a list of different kinds of tips that can help you in making your mornings better. Some of these tips might not be for everyone, or for every day, so you have the pick the ones that work for you.

1. Get enough sleep

I know a lot of people have busy lives, many students have to resort to pulling all-nighters, and sometimes you’ve just got to hustle! But some things don’t change. Such as the importance of a good night’s sleep. When you sleep enough, everything will get easier. You will be faster, more efficient, and much happier when you wake up.

Waking up well-rested will make you appreciate every new day you get and it will facilitate making your mornings useful. Even half an hour of missed sleep can have a detrimental effect on your day. And even if you feel like you can get used to sleeping less, your body doesn’t agree.

2. Don’t hit snooze

The sound of an alarm is no music to anyone’s ears. I know it can be tempting to hit the snooze button or to just lie for “a few more minutes” when the alarm goes off, but it doesn’t help you in any way. 5 or 10 minutes half-asleep won’t give you energy, but it will rob you precious minutes from your morning.

What you should do instead, is to immediately jump out of bed, without thinking or even opening your eyes if you’re too tired. Just turn off the alarm, stand up and wander towards the bathroom to brush your teeth. You will wake up soon enough and as an additional plus, you won’t be late.

3. Make your mornings easy

People often feel stressed and discouraged in the morning, because they’re trying to do a lot of things in a small amount of time. To feel you’re on top of everything, it is best to make your mornings as easy for you as possible. Prepare whatever you can beforehand. You can set aside a few different outfits, so that you can just pick one in the morning. Have everything you need to take with you in the same place, such as your phone and your keys.

It might be annoying to be making the next day’s breakfast in the evening, when all you want to do is unwind with a book or your favorite TV show, but you will thank yourself in the morning.

Another thing is cutting out everything unnecessary. Everything you do should benefit you. If you are not going to be face to face with anyone, maybe you don’t need more than a simple makeup look. If you can eat your breakfast at work, maybe save those few minutes at home.

4. Make your bed

This sounds like such a small thing to do, but it does have an effect on your day. While you certainly can have a productive day without making your bed, committing that one minute of your morning to making your bed will ensure that you start your day having already accomplished something. It makes you feel like you have your life in order. Not to mention it will be nicer to get back to your bed in the evening when it’s tidy and nice.

5. Eat a good breakfast

This might sound obvious, but it’s too important not to mention. When you eat well, you will feel better and it’s easier to be motivated and ready to face the day. Your overall diet is of course important, but when it comes to breakfast specifically, it’s worth taking a closer look. You want to eat foods that keep your energy levels stable, instead of eating fatty and sugary foods that deplete your energy levels.

Bacon and croissants might be nice for special Sunday brunches, but they don’t serve you the right kind of energy you need to feel your best and motivated. The same goes for sugary foods, like cereals, Nutella, or toast with jam. They may give you some extra energy for a short time, but they won’t keep you going till lunch.

Instead, you want to fill your plate with for example vegetables, fruit, and eggs that will make you feel good and content. It’s also good to try to eat quite a lot because something small like a sandwich is definitely not enough if you have to survive for hours with it.

If the idea of preparing a proper breakfast while running around the house getting ready makes you shake your head, consider preparing your breakfast the night before. I assure you, you will be glad in the morning when you can just grab your breakfast from the fridge and enjoy it without having to spend an extra minute on it.

6. Before you get up, think about your goals

One great way to boost your motivation in the morning is to remind yourself of your goals. Think about why you are waking up this early, why you need your job and how this day will benefit you on your journey. Remind yourself of your ultimate goals and how you can work on them today.

Remember that you will reach your goals faster if you work on them diligently every day. Remember to also be grateful for the day ahead. One day you will look back and miss these days. This day is an opportunity for you to do your best, work smart, and take a few steps forward. Use it well.

Related article: 7 Reasons Why It’s Crucial You Set Goals

7. Morning pages

Morning pages are something a lot of writers like to do to clear their heads and start their day fresh. But they can benefit anyone. The idea is to always write a certain number of pages in the morning. Just write anything that comes to your mind, be it masterful or mundane. No one will ever see what you write and you yourself don’t even have to read it later on. The important thing is to get it out of your head.

You probably don’t feel like sitting down and grabbing a pen every morning and that is exactly why morning pages should be a habit that you simply choose to do instead of waiting for inspiration. The original idea is to write three pages, but you can choose how many pages you want to write. Someone might decide on 3 and someone else on 10.

8. Work on your goals

If your life is busy with your day job, taking care of your children, or studying for what feels like an endless amount of exams, finding time to commit purely to your goals might be difficult. Often when I rush to the subway at 7 am, only to return home 10 hours later exhausted and wishing I could spend the rest of the day mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, I dream of having more time to spend on my blog and other things I’m working on.

That’s why a good way to start your day is to commit some time, like half an hour, entirely to your ultimate goal or whatever project you’re working on. If you can work on it or maybe read about it each morning, you will begin your day feeling you have accomplished something and every day you’re that much closer to your goals. Getting the important things done early on will make you more motivated and confident, and it will be nicer to get on with your normal responsibilities.

9. Exercise

There are some people who like to hit the gym at 6 am every morning. And then there are those people who think that kind of people are crazy. But if you have the time and you are looking for an extra energy boost, a little exercise may very well be exactly what you need. And there’s no need to go to the gym or go jogging before sunrise.

Any little exercise that will get your blood flowing will make you feel better and give you the motivation you need to ace the day. Even just a few jumping jacks or going for a short walk will work.

10. Meditation

What better way to give yourself some morning motivation than committing a few minutes of your morning to meditation? It can help you concentrate on what is important and face the day’s challenges with a refreshed and motivated mind. You don’t even need to commit a big part of your morning to it, even a few minutes of meditating can help you prepare yourself for the day and make you feel more content and better about yourself.

11. Take a moment for yourself

If you think you would benefit most from peaceful and relaxed mornings, that’s something you can embrace. Try to adjust your sleeping rhythm so that you can start waking up a little earlier. That will enable you to take some time in the mornings just for yourself. You can make some tea and just sit and look at the rising sun, listening to the birds sing and be grateful for the day ahead. These kinds of peaceful moments will gently prepare you for the day ahead.

12. Affirmations

Affirmations are great for combating negative thoughts and self-sabotage. Come up with some affirmations that motivate and energize you. Repeat them to yourself in the morning for some extra focus and motivation. It’s important to remind ourselves of who we are and what we are capable of every day. If you’ve never tried affirmations before, now is a good time! They don’t take much of your time and a little encouragement never hurts.

Conclusion

Are your mornings chaotic or peaceful? Do you often feel unmotivated in the morning? I encourage you to try these tips and see how much more you can get out of your mornings. Share your thoughts below and if you enjoyed the article, I’d appreciate a pin!

And in case you are currently trying to build a new morning routine but you’re having a hard time sticking to it, read these tips to make it easier!