I am a morning person. I always have been and imagine I always will be. As a little girl, I was often the first one up in our house. I would sit cross legged in front of the TV watching the cartoon show Madeline at 6:30am waiting for my mom to get up on the weekends. There’s just something about the sunrise and the birds chirping. The slight coolness in the air and the dew on the ground makes my spirit smile.

But lately, I’ve had more trouble wanting to get out of bed. 6:00am comes a lot earlier than it did when I was a child. When I used to be up in time to turn my alarm off before it rang, I now hit the snooze button.

Why I Need Morning Habits

Almost a year ago to the day, I began working for the company I am with now. Honestly, I’m still getting used to it. Being a working woman has a way of stealing my excitement for each new day if I’m not careful. When things feel repetitive, waking up to explore the world loses its luster. My cubicle walls don’t call to me the same way another fun day with friends did a few years ago. Being in the workforce has its many blessings, but it can also feel like a big fat burden. I feel tired before I’m even fully awake just thinking about the 8 hour day ahead.

Being a woman in the workplace, a stay at home mom, a full time student or any combination of those can make you want to put your head under the covers and pretend it’s still night time.

I have found, though, that there are a few things that I can do to get my day started right. When I do these things, suddenly I am a morning person again, ready to take on the world.

Five Morning Habits for a Better Day:

Make your bed up

This is one of the easiest things you can do to start your day right. It’s a little accomplishment that establishes, okay, I’m not going back to sleep. It makes your room look nice and feel nice. And, above all, that one act will get your momentum going to take on the rest of your day.

Dress nice

This is a newer one for me. Don’t get me wrong, I never was a frumpy dresser. I also wasn’t what you would call a fashionista, though. Now, I take the time to pick out something that makes me feel good about myself. I’ve found that it takes just as much time to put on something stylish as it does to put on something not-so-stylish. But the difference in my mood is immeasurable. When I feel good about myself, I feel ready to take on the day. I never imagined that this tennis shoes and cowboy boots girl would vouch for a pair of heels. I can say, though, it never fails to boost my confidence in myself and set me on a path to a good day.

Eat a good breakfast and hydrate

Without trying to sound like your mother, eating well and staying hydrated is key to being alert, focused, and at your very best. Starting the day out right by eating a good meal to fuel your body and by drinking plenty of water to purify your system sets you up to feel good and be productive. I always drink at least 2 cups of water before I even think about coffee in the morning. It just makes me feel so much better. And even if I’m not particularly hungry, I still make it a point to eat breakfast even it it’s just an apple and some peanut butter. Your energy levels with thank you throughout the rest of the day.

Take some quiet time and meditate

This is by far the most important habit in my morning routine. I am not my best self until I spend time in God’s presence, quiet my mind, and get centered for the day. Quiet time looks different for different people. I personally like to read a devotional for the day and spend a few minutes in meditation. Meditation sounds a little mystical, but all it is is quieting the mind and being present in the moment to get in touch with a deeper part of yourself. It’s so easy to get lost in racing thoughts and worries, but setting aside time to meditate helps clear all that away so you can be present and enjoy the day ahead of you.

Quiet time allows the clutter of life to melt away so you can take hold of the day as it truly is and have an impact in your sphere of influence. Quiet time and meditation invites peace and joy into your day before it even begins and sets you up for victory in every area.

Stick to your routine

With all this, it’s so important to stick to your routine. I get ready for work in the same order every day, and it helps to keep my mind clear and free. Routine can sound boring, but it’s key to staying on track, especially on those groggy mornings. When you set and stick to a routine, you can be sure you’ll start your day off right even when you don’t feel like it.

The Bottom Line

I can’t tell you what the big names in Hollywood or Fortune 500 CEO’s do in the mornings to have successful or productive days, but I can tell you that these 5 things are tried and true in my own life. When I practice discipline and invest in myself in the first few minutes of the morning I am setting myself up for a better, more joyful day. I feel confident and proud of myself, I have a deep peace, and I know I can take on any task ahead of me, even if it’s the same task as the day before. I am prepared to make the day my own, to find the specialness of each moment and enjoy today.

That’s what I call success.