Good Morning Leaders: a Morning Routine For An Awesome Day

Good Morning Leaders: a Morning Routine For An Awesome Day

Good morning leaders! Starting your day on the right note is vital, especially when you’re an executive navigating high-stakes decisions, packed schedules, and the demands of leadership. But how often do we overlook the importance of creating a simple, consistent morning routine? Good morning routines don’t have to be lengthy or complicated—they just need to work for you.

Let’s explore how a brief, intentional morning routine can set the tone for a less stressed, more productive day.

Good Morning For Leaders: The Case for a Simple Morning Routine

The idea of a morning routine has been championed by countless leaders and productivity experts, but many of the recommendations feel overwhelming. Journaling, reading, meditating, and exercising can take an hour or more—time that busy executives often can’t spare. However, the benefits of a routine are undeniable. Studies have shown that intentional morning habits can:

  • Reduce stress levels
  • Increase focus and clarity
  • Set a positive tone for the day

Instead of committing to an hour-long routine, consider dedicating just 15 minutes. This brief but powerful practice can help you ease into your day without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

How to Build Your “Good Morning Leader” Routine

Step 1: Wake Up 15 Minutes Earlier For A Better Morning

Set your alarm just 15 minutes earlier than usual. While it may seem small, this time adds up. Over the long run, these extra moments allow you to start your day calmly, rather than rushing out the door.

Step 2: Stretch and Open Your Body For Morning Positivity

Begin with light stretches to release any tension built up during sleep. Raise your arms above your head, roll your shoulders, and stretch your legs. Spend about 3–4 minutes focusing on your body and preparing it for movement.

Step 3: Visualize Your Day For Seamless Flow

Spend 5–7 minutes visualizing your day. Sit quietly and think about your upcoming tasks and meetings. Imagine yourself handling challenges with ease and achieving positive outcomes. This practice fosters confidence and clarity, making it easier to approach your day with focus.

Step 4: Enjoy Your Breakfast Mindfully For A Peaceful Morning

If you have time, enjoy a calm, unhurried breakfast. Savoring your meal can set the stage for a day of intentionality rather than hurried chaos.

Why Leaders Thrive With A Good Morning Routine

A solid morning routine doesn’t just benefit your mental well-being; it enhances your leadership. Here’s why:

  1. Improved Decision-Making: Starting the day with clarity enables better problem-solving and strategic thinking.
  2. Reduced Stress: Visualizing success reduces anxiety, keeping you focused on solutions instead of potential problems.
  3. Enhanced Productivity: When you begin the day positively, it’s easier to maintain momentum.

Taking time for yourself in the morning isn’t a luxury… it’s an investment in your ability to lead effectively.

A Good Morning For Leaders Like You

For most people, including leaders like you, a successful day begins with intentionality. By setting aside just 15 minutes to stretch, visualize, and slow down, you can transform your mornings and, ultimately, your leadership style. Remember, small changes lead to significant impacts. Share this simple routine with a colleague or reach out if you’d like more tips tailored to your needs. Here’s to a stress-free start, and again, have a good morning, leaders!

Want more resources like this? Feel free to download my “Leadership With Less Stress” eBook here.

Dr. Annika

There is no perfect Work/Life Balance

In this blog, I am going to talk about work-life balance. I’m just actually going to say that there is no such thing as a perfect work-life balance.

When you think about it you’ll probably agree because everyone is trying to figure out how to do it the best way and it’s supposed to be perfect and there is no perfect work-life balance. Work-life balance or balance in life is always up and down, and up and down and if you’re always striving to get it perfect you are going to miss life because it’s going to happen on the side of you while you are trying to get the perfect part of it.

Like I said there is no perfect part of it so what should you do instead?

What I hear from so many of my clients is that they talk about missing out on this work-life balance and they’re trying to figure out how to get it perfect.

(more…)

Stress Vs Transparency

 

Today I want to talk to you about transparency and how that connects with stress. Have you ever reflected around this? You know transparency to me is to be open, to be clear and to be honest. The opposite is corruption, to do things behind my back or to cheat on others.

 

The upside of being transparent is the honesty, to be fair about what really is, and to not hide. Of course on the on the downside it can get you enemies because they don’t like that you are open and you can get very lonely for the same reason and also you do get exposed which might be tough and hard. But you’re still being honest.

(more…)

Is it possible to lose 5 kilos in 10 weeks without dieting?

As many women do, I slowly but surely gained weight over the years. It kind of creeps onto you so slow that you don’t really notice, right! I was close to reach the fat level on the BMI scale and my clothes were getting smaller and smaller. Or was it me getting bigger? Yes I believe it was, I was 87kg. All of a sudden my wardrobe was flooded by too small items. Perfectly good ones that I liked so did not throw them away. They just kept lying there – as a bad conscience for me and to my husband’s despair. I am a squirrel – he is not!

Business Lunch

 

Anyway, in late August -15 I was planning my upcoming trip to USA. I was booked to speak at the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in San Fransisco and I was looking for clothes to wear at this occasion. That was a wakeup call for me! If I was to stand in front of the audience, I didn’t want to feel big and having to keep my belly in all the time. So I had to do something, right?

(more…)

August De-Stress Round-Up

We are well into the summer even though we don’t really feel that in Sweden. The weather has been anything but summerlike. Hopefully we will get some sun and warmth in August to give us energy, and also a dose of vitamin D, to use during the dark winter months.

Anyway – I have gathered another bunch of previous blogposts that are suitable for this time of the year – to help you get a good start of the fall when everything get going again after some summer rest.

Wrong place to sleep at!https://askdrannika.com/1721272489933are-you-staying-awake-at-night-because-of-stress/

Our sleep is everything. Sleep is life! In this post you get an easy tool to use when stress is keeping you awake.

 

 

(more…)