I’ve always struggled with productivity in the morning. To put it bluntly, I’ve been the king of sluggishness in the AM hours.

But that all changed when I adopted 8 new habits that transformed my mornings from a groggy slog into a time of effective productivity.

In this article, I will share these habits with you. So if you’re anything like how I used to be, rest assured, there’s hope yet for your mornings.

Get ready to turn your morning routine around and start your day with a bang. Let’s dive in!

1) Mindful mornings

Traditionally, my mornings were a whirlwind of chaos and procrastination. But I quickly realized that this was no way to start a productive day, and it certainly wasn’t contributing to a mindful lifestyle.

Enter the practice of mindfulness.

Mindfulness – a core principle in Buddhism – is about being fully present in each moment, aware of where we are and what we’re doing. Not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

Now, how does this translate into morning productivity?

Well, I started incorporating mindfulness into my morning routine. Rather than reaching for my phone first thing, I sat quietly for a few minutes, focusing on my breath and grounding myself in the present moment.

This simple act of mindfulness created a calmness which set the tone for the rest of the day. It made me less reactive to the morning chaos and more focused on the tasks at hand.

2) Early riser

I’ve never been a morning person. The snooze button was my best friend, and I’d often find myself rushing out the door, breakfast half-eaten.

But as I dug deeper into mindfulness practices, I stumbled upon a quote that changed my perspective.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Buddhist monk and mindfulness expert, once said: “Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment.”

This quote resonated with me deeply. It made me realize that by hitting snooze and rushing through my mornings, I was not truly living each moment. I was not appreciating the gift of a new day.

That’s when I made a change. I started waking up earlier. No more snooze button, no more rushing.

This extra time in the morning gave me the chance to ease into my day instead of launching into it at full speed. It allowed me to practice mindfulness, to appreciate the quiet moments before the world wakes up.

3) Embracing impermanence

One of the core teachings of Buddhism is the concept of impermanence – the idea that everything changes and nothing stays the same. This might seem like a bleak perspective but, in truth, it’s incredibly liberating.

How so?

Well, in the context of my morning routine, embracing impermanence helped me let go of my preconceived notions about myself – particularly, this idea that I was ‘not a morning person’.

The truth is, our identities are not set in stone. We change, we adapt, we evolve. So why should I let a self-imposed label dictate my productivity levels?

Once I recognized this, I was able to let go of my old habits and adopt new ones that better served me.

My friend, don’t be afraid of change. Embrace it. Let go of who you think you are and open yourself up to the possibility of who you could become.

4) Mindful eating

For years, my breakfast routine consisted of hastily gulping down a cup of coffee and wolfing down a piece of toast as I ran out the door. It was an act of refuelling, not enjoyment.

But as I delved deeper into mindfulness practices, I realized that I was missing out on a simple yet profound opportunity to be present.

Mindful eating is about fully experiencing the act of eating – truly tasting your food and appreciating the process. 

First, you take time to observe the color and texture of your meal. Then, you bring the food close to inhale its aroma. As you touch the food with your utensils, feel its texture before bringing it to your mouth.

When you eat, taste each bite fully and chew slowly, noticing the sensation and transformation of the food.

Changing my approach to breakfast felt strange at first. But as I grew accustomed to it, I began to notice a shift. Not only did my meals become more enjoyable, but my mornings became less rushed, less chaotic.

5) Reading and reflection

I’ve always loved reading. But in the mornings? Not so much. I’d much rather sleep in than wake up early to read.

But as I embarked on my journey to morning productivity, I decided to incorporate reading into my morning routine.

And not just any reading. I started reading books that nourished my mind and soul, that inspired me to become a better version of myself.

Therefore, I strongly encourage you to kickstart your mornings with an inspiring read that speaks to your heart and encourages mindful living. Believe me, it’s a choice you won’t regret.

6) Acceptance of the present

Not every morning is going to be perfect. There will be days when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, when things don’t go as planned, when the world seems against you. And that’s okay.

In my journey towards better mornings, I’ve learned that acceptance is key.

Buddhist teachings emphasize accepting the present moment as it is, without judgment or resistance. It’s about recognizing that every experience, every emotion, every situation is part of our journey.

Instead of fighting against those sluggish mornings, I learned to accept them. To acknowledge my feelings without judgment, and then make conscious choices about how to respond.

This doesn’t mean I gave up on trying to improve my mornings. Quite the contrary. Acceptance gave me the clarity to see what wasn’t working and make necessary changes.

7) The power of gratitude

I’ll be honest, mornings and I have not always been the best of friends. But one practice that truly shifted my perspective was the practice of gratitude.

As His Holiness The Dalai Lama said: “We need to learn how to want what we have, not to have what we want in order to get steady and stable happiness.”  

Inspired by these words, I began to incorporate gratitude into my morning routine. Every day, I took a few moments to reflect on the things I was grateful for, from the roof over my head to the food on my table. 

And you know what? It changed everything. Gratitude helped shift my focus from what was wrong in my mornings to what was right. It brought about a sense of contentment and appreciation that fuelled my productivity throughout the day.

8) Doing less

Irrespective of your faith, embracing the philosophy of “less is more” can significantly enhance both your productivity and overall happiness throughout the day.

Mindfulness taught me the power of simplicity and focus. Rather than trying to cram as many tasks as possible into my mornings, I started prioritizing.

I focused on what truly mattered and let go of the rest. This reduced stress, allowed for deeper focus, and ultimately led to more productive mornings.

Doing less also meant slowing down. Instead of rushing through my morning routine, I started taking my time. I savored my cup of coffee, enjoyed my breakfast, and allowed myself a few moments of quiet before diving into work.

Every morning is a fresh start

There you have it-the 8 habits that transformed my sluggish mornings into a time of productivity and mindfulness. I won’t claim it was easy, but it was definitely worth it.

If you’re interested in exploring more about mindfulness and how Buddhist principles can help you lead a more fulfilling life, I invite you to check out my book “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego“. It’s packed with insights and practical tips that can help you navigate life with more grace and less ego.

But whether you read my book or not, I hope this article has inspired you to take a fresh look at your mornings. After all, every morning is a new opportunity to start anew, to be mindful, and to make the most of the day ahead.

Here’s to better mornings!