Do you have trouble getting up in the mornings? Does it sometimes feel like half the workday has passed you by before you’re able to hit your stride?
You’re not alone. Working in events is almost antithetical to morning productivity. You work late, often not getting home until the wee hours. Better to log a full night’s rest then cut it short, right? Besides, you’ll make it up on the weekends.
We’ve all used this kind of justification before. But studies show that consistently getting up early has a profound impact on overall productivity, planning, and one’s ability to take charge. So if you’re feeling like you want to own your mornings, get your day started a bit earlier, and boost your productivity, try these 4 tips.
1. Make a Routine…That You Like!
To change your hours, you’ve got to change your habits. Give yourself something to look forward to doing every morning that can motivate you. Start an exercise program, take the dog for a walk, make coffee! I’m definitely a proponent of the last category. The key is making it something you enjoy doing. If you hate the idea of working out, you’re probably not going to be champing at the bit to throw off the blankets.
2. Fuel Up
How often do you skip breakfast in order to catch a few more winks? While the latter might seem like the better option, it’s actually the former that is the better choice. Starting your day with a proper breakfast improves your focus, productivity, and boosts metabolism which can carry you through a much longer stretch of work.
But be careful. The wrong meal choice can spike your blood sugar and lead to a hard crash right around the time you’re getting ready to deliver that new event proposal to a client. Business Insider actually compiled a list of the best breakfasts to carry you through your day (guess which one I gravitate to first).
3. Get Some Light
Professors at Harvard Medical School suggest that exposure to natural light in the mornings can help regulate your body’s biological “day-night” clock. By getting out into the light first thing in the morning, you are aligning your natural circadian rhythms, leading to increased performance and better mood.
I sleep with my blinds wide open. The sunlight comes in and my body naturally starts to wake. If you live in a tiny apartment with no windows (sympathies to some of my NYC friends), get outside.
4. No More Snooze Bar
Your alarm goes off, you get up. Sounds simple but we all know it’s anything but. Especially if you’re one of those types that says, “Well, I stayed up late last night,” or, “It’s cold outside,” or, “It’s so cozy, just five more minutes.”
In reality, research shows that interrupted sleep can actually leave you feeling groggy and impact your productivity, as explained in this short, fun video from Popular Science. While there may be sleep situations where a tap on the snooze bar might actually help you wake up, it’s probably better just to eliminate it altogether. Focus on learning your body’s natural rhythms instead.
But it doesn’t have to be a chore! I try to kick off my morning on a positive note. Check out these apps for a motivational kick.
Becoming a “morning person” isn’t for everyone. In fact, probably the biggest takeaway is that you have to pay closer attention to what your body needs. Monitor your performance under current conditions. Is what you’re doing now working for you? Or could it be better? If what you’re doing isn’t working, perhaps an early start to your day could help.
Are you a morning person? What advice do you have for others looking to get more out of the early hours?
