Why Every Business Owner Should Have a Morning Routine

"If you win the morning, you win the day"

I really resonate with that quote.

I'm a firm believer in morning routines. Mine is SO important to me. If I don’t do my morning routine, I feel off all day. My morning routine helps me with my productivity, mindset, and energy...It’s life-changing for a business owner like myself, and it may be the missing ingredient in your life to help you with overwhelm and stress.

If you've ever looked at successful entrepreneurs like Oprah Winfrey and Steve Jobs, you'd find that they each have their own morning routines they SWEAR by. Their morning routines are specifically created with their business and personal goals and intentions in mind. For example, Oprah's routine helps her focus on spirituality, so it includes time for meditation and positive affirmations to get her motivated and excited to start her day. 

The best part about morning routines is that they can look quite different and vary person to person. You can create your own routine to get you in the right mindset and energy to crush your personal goals and have a productive day.

Having my own morning routine has been a game-changer for me. It gives me a break to enjoy my own time and get into the rhythm of the day. As someone who runs multiple studios and has a lot on their plate daily, my morning is an essential time for me to reset and focus for the day ahead of me.

Here’s what I like to do:⠀
👉 20 minutes of reading trade/industry magazines⠀
👉 Meditate for 15 minutes⠀
👉 Write a list of all the things I need to get done today⠀
👉 Enjoy my coffee and look out at my view of downtown San Diego⠀

If you don't have a morning routine yet...I highly recommend making your own to meet your needs. It's a game changer to your mental health and stress levels--especially for salon and business owners. Running your business can sometimes feel like the work doesn't stop, or that there always seems to be something that needs to get done. Giving yourself this time in the morning can combat any overwhelm and stress. Besides your mental health, there are so many benefits to establishing your own morning routine. Let's take a look at some of the benefits:

1. It helps you prepare for the day to come.

Have you ever heard how making your bed first thing in the morning can help you have a more productive day?

How you spend your morning affects the rest of the day. A morning routine puts you in the right headspace from the moment you wake up. Also, if you choose, you can plan out the day like I do so you know exactly what you want to accomplish throughout the day. 

2. It allows you to start the day YOUR way.

As a business owner, your day and time sometimes can feel like it's not YOURS. Having a morning routine gives you time where you prioritize your own needs. It's healthy to set aside time for yourself. This prevents overwhelm and burnout in the long run and helps you separate your personal time from your business.

I realize how easy it is to get caught up in your salon's needs, and spending a large chunk of your time working and getting things done for your business. It might even seem like you work all the time. Be careful of this--it's a slippery slope. You have to start prioritizing your personal time and needs. A morning routine is a great way to start this.

3. It improves relationships.

Morning routines can improve your relationship with yourself. Prioritizing your needs helps you establish healthy boundaries for yourself. Outside of that, it can improve your relationships with your family, friends, and team. Having that time and space where you can prioritize your needs allows you to show up as your best self for the people around you. 

As a leader, this is everything! Your salon environment starts with you, and what kind of energy you're bringing into the studio.

4. It lowers stress.

One of my favorite parts of my morning routine is my meditation. During this stage, I clear my mind of all the stressors that I might be worried about and sit in the moment. Even if you don't choose to meditate, a quiet morning on your own terms can help clear your head and prevent you from worrying or stressing about the day ahead. 

Again, you can customize your routine any way you want. If there are certain activities that you like to do to destress, I recommend including them in your morning routine. 

5. It allows you to slow down and enjoy.

Often times, we get so caught up in the fast pace of day-to-day life that we forget to slow down and enjoy the little moments of life. Giving yourself time to spend the morning exactly how you want it is enjoyable! Plain and simple. It's a great time to decompress and take in the joys of life. 

This is your sign to start your own morning routine!

Remember, not all morning routines are the same. You can curate your routine to your personal needs and what you LIKE to do. Then I recommend setting aside actual time blocks for each activity you want in your morning routine, that way you know what you can fit in each morning and you make sure you set aside the correct amount of time for each activity.

So what are you waiting for? Are you ready to win the morning?