Mornings have quickly become my favorite time of the day.
I have the house to myself and consume a delicious cup of coffee while I enjoy some well-deserved me-time.
This is also the time I devote solely to my dreams and goals.
I usually try to wake up before 6 AM and I spend these extra hours in the morning on my business, which is the blog you are currently reading.
I started this blog on a whim back in August of 2018 and it has in little over 6 months become a business I love so dearly.
I just cannot wait to get up in the morning to blog, write a new post, create online products for my readers or email my subscribers.
I’m so glad I went for it.
Below is a list of 8 things I do before 8 AM to achieve my goals in life.
Go through these points for inspiration for your own morning routine, so you too can chase those dreams of yours.
Related Reads:
- The 4 Secrets To Waking Up Early & Why You Should Do It
- How To Get More Time In A Day To Achieve Your Goals
- My Online Course: The Dreamer To Doer Academy
- The Productivity Planner: An Honest Review
8 Things I Do Before 8 AM To Achieve My Goals:
1. Get Out Your To-Do List
The first thing I do every morning is to get out my to-do list.
I set the intention for my morning and the rest of my day.
I’ve prepped my to-do list the night before using my Productivity Planner, so I always know exactly what needs my focused attention and in what order.
I always go for the most important task first and I’m very strategic about how I plan my days and mornings.
I have more energy and I’m at my most creative in the mornings, therefore I devote this time to do undisturbed and focused creative work.
Plan according to your energy levels.
You know yourself best, so plan accordingly π
Hot tip: Save your inbox and emails until after lunch.
2. Work On One Goal At A Time
I spend my alone time in the morning and focus on ONE THING at a time.
One dream, goal and passion project at a time to spare me the stress and overwhelm going after multiple goals at once.
As for now, my passion project is essentially this thing you’re currently reading.
I then break my goal down into smaller actionable steps and go at them one by one.
For example:
- Working my business
- Plan out 8 blog posts for the next 2 months
- Research topics
- Outline a new draft
- Write the first draft
- Create beautiful pins
- Proofread
- Publish!
And so on.
“Working on my business” is a pretty broad goal and I’ll have different goals for different parts of my business, so this will vary.
The above is just an example.
However, I make sure that I only focus on one thing at a time.
This way, I avoid any unnecessary procrastination and overwhelm.
What will be your one goal today?
3. Plan For Results
I always, always schedule the results I want on my calendar and never just the actions.
I go through what I expect to achieve in the given timeframe the night before, and make sure to schedule these results on my calendar and do them no matter what.
I find that if I just schedule the action, it’s easier to put things off and do something else.
I’ll be very specific and detailed about what it is I want to get done during my morning routine.
- Good example: Write the draft on XYZ topic for this week’s blog post
- Bad example: Work on blog
4. Hydrate (and drink coffee)
I don’t do anything before I drink at least 2 full glasses of water.
Then, it’s my favorite time of the day – coffee time.
I’m a sucker for some fruity beans from Kenya.
Yes, I am a complete coffee snob.
I light a candle, sip my beautiful coffee and get to work.
This is truly my favorite part of my day and I wish I could do it all day.
If only one could consume coffee all day and not have it affect your stomach as much?
Ah, the dream.
5. Five Minute Journal
Journaling has quickly become one of my favorite ways to unwind and relax.
I never thought I’d swap my TV binging for journaling – crazy as THAT sounds.
The Five Minute Journal is the go-to journal I write in every single morning and night.
It helps me set my day off on a happy note, and I end every day with a little gratitude and an inspiring quote.
The perfect way to end and start the day if you ask me.
You can learn more about the journal here.
6. Stretch Or Do Some Light Cardio
I’m going to be honest, this one is a toughy for me.
However, I try and get in some light cardio into my morning routine to get my blood pumping, so I’ll have the energy to go after my goals in the morning.
Examples of easy workouts to do in the AM:
- 20 x 2 star jumps
- Do a set of situps and pushups
- Dance it out to your favorite feel-good tunes
- 7-minute workout app
- If you have time, a long walk is an amazing way to start the day
7. Eat A Healthy Breakfast
Never leave the house without breakfast, girl.
Usually oatmeal with some banana and almond butter. Yum!
Good protein and healthy fats is the way to go.
8. Self Coaching
Before I head off to my full-time job, I make time to coach myself.
I do this because it boosts my awareness, I feel better and I can be very deliberate about the way I want to think, feel in order to take the right action to get the results I want in my life.
Self-coaching has become much like brushing my teeth for me.
It’s a habit I hope I never procrastinate away from.
Self-coaching is life changing.
If you’re curious about self-coaching and would like to learn more about it, I highly recommend checking out Brooke Castillo’s The Lifecoach School and check out her free guide on the self-coaching model here.
Mia, I am really excited to peruse the content here. I’ve been sleeping in ever since I started working from home and I want to QUIT and start getting up before 6 am again; as well as many other goals you address in this blog. Thank you for following your whims, taking your leaps, and sharing your skills and lessons with the introverted world!
Thank YOU Julia! I’m so happy this all resonated with you! So happy to have you in the dreamer community too. x Mia
Awesome post, Mia! I love how you talk about making sure that goals and to-do lists are not too broad and actually achievable!
Thank you so much Teya! <3
This post has been super inspiring and motivating. It’s always hard for me to get up early enough to work on my goals…I’ve tried for *many* years only to quit. I do intentionally plan my day, just not in wee hours of the morning. BUT your tips makes me want to give it another go. Thanks for sharing this…look forward to connecting with you in more ways. ~Char
Thank you Charlene! I’m SO glad you found inspiration in this post. You can do this! It’s the hardest the first few weeks until your body adjusts to your new wake-up schedule. Best of luck!!
These are wonderful tips! I love getting started early in the morning. It really helps set the tone for the rest of my day, and I can get so much done while everyone else is sleeping.
Thank you Ashley! Yes, the mornings are the bomb and my prime time! π
Morning is also my fav part of the day… ???? morning routine is never complete without your to-do list. And I make sure I write down my to do list before I go to bed, helps me set me on a brand new path to attempt or achieve whatever I write down.
Amazing post. I love it ????
Your blog is lovely too
Thank you so much Mma! I wouldn’t get anywhere without my to-do list. That’s for sure π