Rise and Grind: 8 Morning Habits for the Ambitious

When asked what the key to success is, everyone will tell you something different. Hard work. Determination. Vision. Ambition. None of them are wrong. There is no right or wrong answer because success means something different to everyone. The man who puts on his work boots every morning has a different drive in life than the man who wears a suit and tie. The stay at home mom has different goals than the career woman. Does that mean one is less successful than the other? No. Put all money, all materialistic things aside because they are superficial. Success isn’t all that. It’s achieving an aim or purpose in life. It’s following your ambition. So, no matter who you are, where you come from, what you do for a living, everyone has the power to get where they want to be, and become who they want to be. See, successful people have a high sense of self, that’s why accomplishing their goals comes naturally to them. The rest of us just need a little boost in the right direction. So let’s get started.

Wake up early.

Sorry, night owls. There’s a reason the early bird catches the worm. Rushing around in the morning is hectic. You feel overwhelmed, unaccomplished, and let’s face it, you definitely forgot something. Waking up early gives you more time to focus on making healthy choices, and increases your productivity. Look at some of the most influential people of today. Tim Cook rises at 3:45 AM. Oprah starts her day at 6:00 AM. They know morning hours are the peak of motivation, and uninterrupted focus that you just don’t find later in the day.

Meditate.

Breathe in the new day, exhale the stress of yesterday. Mental health is just as important as physical health. If your mind is cluttered and unclear, you’re not going to perform at your best. Meditating reduces stress, anxiety, enhances emotional health, strengthens self awareness, increases your attention span, and honestly just feels really good! Light a candle and put on a five minute guided morning meditation filled with breathing techniques, and empowering mantras to get your day going.

Exercise.

Wait, you want me to do that before work? Yes. Yes, I do. Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey, runs six miles before dawn. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is in the gym by 4:00 AM. Morning workouts are better. No, that’s not opinionated. Along with meditation, exercise is a stress relief, as well as a natural mood enhancer so you won’t be walking into work feeling down and stressed out. If you're looking to lose weight, you'll be happy to know you burn off about 20 percent more body fat exercising before your first meal. You’re also less likely to skip your workout entirely later in the day due to other obligations, because let’s be real, whose gonna ask you to go out for drinks or invite you to a birthday party at six in the morning?

Don't Ditch Breakfast.

Exercise makes you crave healthier food, and a healthy breakfast is essential. Skipping breakfast entirely leaves you with less energy, and encourages poor eating habits throughout the day. Your workout is a complete waste if you’re eating fast, unhealthy meals, rather than opting for food filled with proper nutrients.

Dress Simple.

I’m not saying successful people don’t have style, or never look their best, they just don’t obsess over something as simple as clothes. You don’t want to be that person trying on 20 different outfits in the mirror before deciding on something. It’s too time consuming, and too stressful. Keep it simple.

Map out your day.

Goals give us a sense of purpose and accomplishment. What do you need to get done today? What do you want to get done today? Jot down your to-do list. Remember, this is your most energetic part of the day, so take advantage of it by doing the hardest task first. Procrastinating will make you less likely to do it, and until it’s out of the way, it’s gonna keep nagging at you. Besides, once you get past the difficult stuff, the rest is smooth sailing.

Connect with your partner/family.

Successful people don’t let their ambitions or ego steer them away from those who matter most to them. Have coffee with your partner. Listen to your kids tell you about the crazy dreams they had last night. Hug them goodbye before you leave for work. Remind them that no matter how busy life gets, they are a priority to you. These little moments mean everything.

With a slight shift in habits, you can build a foundation for success. Go out there and seize the day, every day!

For more inspiration, follow my movement. #ambiambition