6 Fail Proof Ways to Start the Day on the Right Foot

Working from home can indeed be extremely gratifying, but home businesses certainly present their own unique set of challenges.  The day’s first minutes and hours really do have a profound effect on the entire day’s productivity.  Here’s how to get the ball rolling down the right path with 6 fail proof ways to start the day on the right foot…

1.  Start Early

Imagine adding an extra hour or two of pristine quiet time to the beginning of your day.  Some find it incredibly inspiring to start the day by watching the morning sunrise.  Others just appreciate getting a few things done while basking in the peace and quiet before the kids are all up and at ‘em. 

I know it’s just way too easy to just roll over and hit the snooze button in the morning, but to make getting up early possible, try setting an alarm clock in the next room or someplace where you’ll actually have to get up and out of bed to turn it off.  All it takes is those initial 30 seconds of out of bed shock to wake up.  And of course going to bed at a reasonable time also helps.

2.  Launch a Routine

The old adage says it takes 21 days to form a habit, but you can do it in a week if you try.  Be consistent with your morning routine, doing the same thing every single workday morning.  I know it sounds monotonous, but we’re creatures of habit and after awhile, the process becomes uniquely comforting.

For home workers, treating work seriously is paramount, just like the traditional office experience.  But don’t fret… you can relax knowing that the after breakfast morning commute only involves a flight of stairs from the kitchen to the home office!

3.  Exercise for Energy

Wake up and get the adrenaline pumping.  There is no better way than vigorous exercise.  If you tend to be the groggy type, your mind will be as clear as a bell after a lively 30 minute morning walk.  Plus, exercise first thing in the morning is an excellent time to contemplate and mentally plan the day’s workflow.  If you can only embrace one of these six tips, exercising is undoubtedly the best one to get your day moving with momentum.

4.  Read Regularly 

Try wrapping up your daily morning exercise by reading a passage or a chapter from a book that’s inspiring to you.  You’ve seen the “heartwarming story of the day” books, but you might also consider a book pertinent to your niche in business – whatever works for you to get your mind racing and your creative juices flowing.

Consider this – only ten minutes of reading a day and you’ll find yourself finishing a non-fiction book about every two weeks.  That’s 26 books a year.  It’s been said that reading 3 books on one topic makes you an expert for that subject.  Imagine the possibilities.

5.  Hold the Mail 

As a stay-at-home worker, what’s your first distraction of the day?  For most of us, the answer is checking email or reading the news.  Read this, then click on that – one tangent leads to another and before long, lunchtime is already here.

The best thing you can do is hold off on all of your daily email, blogs, and news until a set time in the afternoon or later.  Once you train yourself to dive right in and begin with the most challenging task of the day right from the get go, you’ll find yourself getting more done before your second cup of morning java than you did in a whole day before adopting this methodology.

6.  Pencil a Plan

Okay, this step really comes at the end of the day, but it paves the way for starting off right tomorrow.  As soon as you’ve finished your set tasks for the day, make your list of 6 or so things to do tomorrow.  By completing this the day before, you’ll be able to hit the ground running in the morning instead of trying to figure out what you need to do next.  The list works especially well if you plan to reward yourself with leisure time or relaxation when you’ve finished your daily work.

Start the day on the right foot and before long, you’ll be succeeding like never before.  It pays to make morning time your best friend!