Mornings. We all wish we could say we were morning people, or at the very least, we wish we didn't snooze our alarms five times. While we are still sleeping, other people are putting in work. They take advantage of the time that most people allow to pass by and disappear into the past. The most successful people begin their days at 4 am, but how do they do it? They wake up every day with a purpose. They do not wander aimlessly through life. Not only do they have a purpose - they practice consistency. Productivity begins with a morning routine. A good morning routine sets the foundation for a productive day which turns into a productive life. Here are the top-11 morning routine habits of highly successful people that set the tone for a day of mindfulness and achievement.

Make decisions the night before. We've all been there. We feel like we have nothing to wear, and before we know it, a half-hour has passed, and our room is a mess. This kind of stress is not the way to start your morning. However, it is okay if it is the night before! Making decisions the night before will save you time, stress, and uncertainty. We recommend you dedicate time to choose an outfit, pack your lunch, and decide what you will have for breakfast so you can avoid making any quick and mindless decisions in the morning. Doing this will help set the tone for a smooth day.

Clean your space the night before. No one wants to wake up to a messy room and a sink full of dishes. Putting things away and wiping down surfaces as you go will leave your space sparkling clean without much time spent doing so. Remember, a clear space leads to a clear mind, and a clear mind leads to success.

Wake up to natural light. Training your body to wake up with the sunlight is a total game-changer. One reason is that it helps you avoid sleeping in late, which comes with an unmotivated, tired feeling. Another reason is that it is a much gentler way to wake up compared to a dreaded alarm. We recommend leaving your blinds slightly open - enough to allow sunlight to shine through in the mornings. Doing this is a peaceful way to have a bright beginning to your day.

Make your bed. Making your bed goes along with having a clean space. It may not give you instant gratification, but it will keep you from getting back in bed. Plus, making your bed significantly helps to make your room look more put together. It will also make you feel good when you come home and see an organized, put-together space. Think about it - if you make your bed first thing, you will have already accomplished something for the day. This simple act will make you feel productive. The moral of the story is - you will thank yourself later.

Wash your face and brush your teeth. It is an absolute must! I'm sure everyone is already brushing their teeth every morning, but I'm sure just as many people neglect a proper skincare routine. It could be that you do not know what to do. In that case, you can turn to our blog on skincare. Or, it could be that you don't feel like doing it. Either way, it is essential to find a skincare routine that works for you! Cleansing your face each morning will help to wake you up and make you feel more motivated.

Hydrate. It is super important to hydrate when you wake up because your body has just gone hours without water. Trust me; your body needs it! Drinking water when you wake allows your body to rehydrate and reset. It also helps to wake you up and combat headaches that may otherwise occur throughout the day.

Get dressed. It is easy to stay in our pajamas these days, especially since we are at home so much more. However, staying in your pajamas will leave you feeling sluggish and unproductive. Even if it is just changing into a cute lounge set rather than staying the clothes you wore to sleep, changing clothes will get you feeling ready to face the day. Remember - when you look good, you feel good!

Do something for yourself. There are so many great ways to incorporate self-care into your morning. One way is to keep a gratitude journal and dedicate time to write down five things you are grateful for each day. Journaling has been shown to help relieve stress and keep you grounded throughout the day. Another thing you can do is meditate. People often feel like they cannot meditate because they cannot possibly sit still for ten minutes and think about nothing. Meditation is not meant to be stressful! It is simply a time for you to sit with yourself and let your thoughts pass by. Start by sitting in a quiet space for three minutes, five minutes, or even just one minute. No matter what happens that day, you can say that you did something for yourself!

Write out a list of short-term and long-term goals. Writing a to-do list may sound daunting, but think of your short-term goals as writing out your goals for the day. This list will give you a clear vision of what you would like to accomplish. It will also provide you with something to turn to if you find yourself getting easily distracted during the day, and it will allow you to look back on your day to see what you accomplished. Your short-term goals are like stepping stones on your way to achieving your long-term goals. So, it is good to write them out together to have a clear vision of what you want and how you will achieve it. Writing out your goals will remind you that you are in control of your life and your day. It will also give you an extra push of motivation and purpose.

Incorporate movement into your morning. Don't underestimate the power of moving your body. Many people miss out on movement because they dread it. The key is to find a type of exercise that you truly enjoy. It may take some trial and error, but it is worth it! There are so many options such as cycle classes, pilates, yoga, weight lifting, stretching, swimming, going to the gym, doing at-home workouts, going for a run, or even just getting outside and walking to get your favorite coffee! Any movement is good movement! You will feel so good afterward because of the endorphins movement creates, and also because you just took control of your day and did something awesome to better yourself!

Fuel your body, and make it healthy! The secret to loving breakfast is getting creative and making something delicious. Some of our favorites are smoothies, omelets, fruit, oatmeal, avocado toast, or banana oat pancakes - to name a few! Making breakfast something you look forward to will change the way you think of mornings. Remember, food is fuel! Once you start making time to have a healthy breakfast, you will quickly see the positive effects of it, such as increased focus and energy! It also helps to keep your hormones and emotions in balance and eliminate mood swings. It will be great!

Written By: Corrie McHone