If you have ever woken up late or just “on the wrong side of the bed”, you know how it sets the tone for the rest of your day.  All of a sudden, every little annoyance is amplified and the rest of the day just kind of sucks. It is literally the first 15 minutes after waking up that can set you up for a bad, good, or great day.

Most people don’t realize that they have the power to actually set the tone of their day in the morning, but it is actually a great way to live with intention.

Mornings don’t have to be the literal crack of dawn, but the morning can add literally hours to your day. Hours that could allow you to get in some quiet time reading or writing in your journal (maybe writing that book you’ve dreamt about publishing but never found the time). I am actually a huge advocate of getting my workouts in in the morning. It gets the body moving – and while I have admittedly sometimes stumbled through the routine of getting dressed half asleep, the activity does wake up the body and the mind.

We’ll see what the mornings look like now that we have a newborn in the house, but so far I’m still managing to get a few things done. I am just not as consistent! On the mornings I’m not working out, I’m usually working on projects for work or spending time with a bible study. The point is that mornings can prove to be extremely productive when you don’t just roll out of bed, shower, get dressed, and head to work. Think about it – the phone isn’t ringing, nobody is interrupting you, the silence is refreshing.

I can promise you that by adding even 30 minutes of some sort of activity, you will be your own inspiration the rest of the day.

Did you know that willpower is like it’s own muscle and that it becomes fatigued with use? I don’t know about you, but dealing with traffic, interacting with difficult people, and having to make so many decisions over the course of the day just wears me out. So getting in a workout (or any type of measurable productivity) strictly through willpower at the end of the day usually won’t happen.

If you are not currently a morning person, you don’t have to alter your habits drastically. I promise! Just start by waking up 10-15 minutes earlier for a week or two…then maybe add another 15 minutes until you find the wake up time that works for you. And don’t forget to go to bed earlier too.

Attacking the morning with enthusiasm not only changes your outlook on the entire day, but it also increases your productivity and in turn – your success. Whether you’re training for a marathon, working on the next Great American Novel, spending time in prayer, or simply wanting to be the best version of yourself – your mornings provide you with the opportunity to do so. I believe that is a measure of success that is worth getting up a little earlier.