Empowerment before 8am: Strategies beyond the alarm clock (morning routines) aimed at women
The idea of waking up early and having a morning routine has been touted as a key to success and productivity. However, the pressure to optimise every moment of the day can be overwhelming, especially for women who are juggling multiple responsibilities. While morning routines can be helpful, true empowerment goes beyond the alarm clock. Here are some strategies for empowering yourself beyond the morning routine and helping you to win the day:
1. Prioritise Self-Care
Self-care is essential to your overall well-being and success. This means setting aside time for activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul. Whether it’s taking a yoga class, going for a walk in nature, or simply taking a relaxing bath, make sure you schedule time for self-care every day. Prioritizing self-care can help you feel more empowered and energised throughout the day. You can win the day if you start out with first caring for yourself!
2. Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries is crucial to empowering yourself. This means learning to say no to things that don’t serve you and setting limits on your time and energy. It’s also important to disconnect from technology and social media regularly to give your mind a break. Setting boundaries can help you feel more in control of your life and more empowered to pursue your goals.
3. Practice Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness can help you stay focused and present in the moment. This means paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without judgment. Mindfulness can help you reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. Practicing mindfulness can also help you feel more empowered by helping you stay focused on your goals and priorities.
4. Connect with Others
Connecting with others is essential to your well-being and empowerment. Whether it’s spending time with friends and family or networking with other women in business, building relationships can help you stay motivated and inspired. Connecting with others can also help you feel more supported and empowered to pursue your goals. Make time in the day for a five minute call or social interaction with someone significant in your life. Winning the day means having a balanced all-round day filled with healthy social interaction as well.
5. Take Care of Your Physical Health
Taking care of your physical health is essential to your overall well-being and empowerment. This means eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. Prioritizing your physical health can help you feel more energized and focused throughout the day. Taking care of your physical health can also help you feel more empowered by giving you the energy and stamina to pursue your goals and optimise your day to serve you best.
6. Seek Support
Finally, don’t be afraid to seek support when you need it. Whether it’s talking to a therapist or joining a support group, reaching out for help can be a powerful way to empower yourself and stay balanced. Seeking support can also help you feel more connected and empowered by giving you the tools and resources you need to pursue your goals.
7. Set Realistic Goals
Setting realistic goals is essential to empowering yourself. This means setting achievable goals that align with your values and priorities. It’s also important to break down larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. Setting realistic goals can help you feel more in control of your life and more empowered to pursue your dreams.
8. Take Breaks
Taking breaks throughout the day can help you stay focused and energized. This means taking short breaks every hour or so to stretch, walk around, or simply take a few deep breaths. It’s also important to take longer breaks throughout the day to recharge your batteries. Taking breaks can help you feel more empowered by giving you the time and space you need to recharge and refocus.
9. Practice Gratitude
Practicing gratitude can help you stay positive and focused on the things that matter most to you. This means taking time each day to reflect on the things you’re grateful for, whether it’s your health, your family, or your career. Practicing gratitude can help you feel more empowered by reminding you of the good things in your life and giving you the motivation to pursue your goals.
10. Learn to Say No
Learning to say no is essential to empowering yourself. This means setting boundaries and saying no to things that don’t serve you or align with your values. It’s also important to learn to say no to yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Learning to say no can help you feel more in control of your life and more empowered to pursue your goals.
11. Take Time Off
Taking time off is essential to your overall well-being and empowerment. This means taking vacations, weekends, and other breaks to recharge your batteries and focus on the things that matter most to you. It’s also important to take time off when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Taking time off can help you feel more empowered by giving you the time and space you need to recharge and refocus.
12. Practice Self-Compassion
Practicing self-compassion can help you stay positive and focused on your goals. This means treating yourself with kindness and understanding, even when things don’t go as planned. It’s also important to forgive yourself for mistakes and failures and to learn from them. Practicing self-compassion can help you feel more empowered by giving you the motivation and resilience you need to pursue your goals.
13. Focus on What You Can Control
Focusing on what you can control can help you stay positive and motivated. This means focusing on the things that are within your control, such as your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It’s also important to let go of things that are outside of your control, such as other people’s opinions or the outcome of a project. Focusing on what you can control can help you feel more empowered by giving you the tools and resources you need to pursue your goals.
14. Celebrate Your Successes
Celebrating your successes is essential to staying motivated and focused on your goals. This means taking time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. It’s also important to use your successes as motivation to keep pushing forward and achieving your goals. Celebrating your successes can help you feel more empowered by reminding you of your achievements and giving you the motivation to pursue your dreams.
The False Promise of Morning Routines
While morning routines can be helpful, they are not a panacea for success and productivity. In fact, the pressure to optimise every moment of the day can be overwhelming and counterproductive. According to Laura Vanderkam, the author of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, the early morning is a time for you—before the boss emails or the kids want cereal. However, the pressure to wake up earlier and earlier to optimise your time can be harmful1.In a culture obsessed with self-optimisation, we are being sold on the need to upgrade all parts of ourselves, all at once, including parts that we did not previously know needed upgrading. The pressure to optimise every moment of the day can be overwhelming and counterproductive. It’s important to remember that morning routines are just one tool in your toolbox for empowerment. A giveaway sign of being subconsciously overloaded is procrastination. If you’ve been anything like me, then you will know all to well how debilitating procrastination can be. Here is One Surprising Trick That Can Help You Overcome Procrastination Overnight to help you to not only optimise your day, but your life and your happiness and potential.
