8 x 8. Eight habits by 8 a.m.

Running a business takes time and energy. And as I wrote last week, we earthlings are most effective when we run on auto-pilot. So, the best way to break through to new levels of success is to create habits that are most likely to take us to those new levels.

Below are 8 things I do by 8 a.m. every day. By the time I’m ready to start my work day, I already feel like I’ve achieved success. I’ve created a momentum of success that continues to spiral upward all day long.

You don’t have to follow my routine. You may have ideas of your own. But developing morning habits that create a sense of accomplishment and success will change the game in your business, career and life.

1. 1. Lose the snooze! I learned this from Mel Robbins, author of “5-Second Rule.” The premise of the 5-second rule is that once we get an idea that takes us outside of our comfort zone, we have about 5 seconds before our brain talks us out of it. So it’s important to act immediately. I stopped hitting the snooze. This means I make a decision on what time I want to get up. Then I follow through on that decision. This instantly creates a sense of success.
   2. Make the bed. If you read my recent blog, you know that this has a profound connection to success for me. There was a time, when I whipped the covers into a ball at the end of the bed and sluggishly stumbled my way down the hall. Not exactly a demonstration of success. These first 60 seconds of my day set the tone for decisive action and accomplishment.
   3. Pray/Meditate. Regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs, there is something about being still and quiet early in the morning that connects you to a deeper sense of meaning and purpose for your life. For me, prayer is the time I spend talking to God, and meditating is the time I spend listening. I find meditating has been unbelievably powerful. It’s a time to slow my mind and connect with the still, small voice that guides me for the day.
   4. Gratitude Journal. If you’ve ever heard me speak to an audience or been part of my group programs, you know that I consider this to be one of the most powerful and direct ways to change your life. It’s an amazing paradox of life that the more grateful you are for your current state, the more you allow abundance to flow into your life. I write down three things I’m grateful for every day.
   5. Read all about it. Most people start their day with an earful of daily cable news. Not me. I want the first thing that goes into my mind to be positive, uplifting and motivating. For me this is sometimes the Bible or other spiritual-based messages. The key is to fill your mind with something that takes you in the direction of fulfilling a deeper purpose for your life.
   6. Not exactly green eggs and ham. If you’re like my 7-year-old godson, you probably don’t want to eat exactly what I eat for breakfast, which is a vegetable smoothie and 6 egg whites. But the important thing is to put something fresh and whole into your body the first thing in the morning for breakfast.
   7. Exercise. Even 7- 10 minutes of walking can be enough to change your brain chemistry and get you in a positive, success-minded mood. Find something you enjoy, and just move!
   8. Shower and dress for success. You’ve heard the saying “dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” For me, how I look has a direct impact on how I feel. The more successful I dress, the more successful I feel. And science tells us that our feelings develop into core beliefs. Those core beliefs determine the outcomes for our lives.

So there you have it. That’s my routine by 8 a.m. Yours doesn’t have to be exactly like that. The key is to build as many success-minded habits into your day as possible. Perhaps you already have your own routines. I’d love to hear what you’re doing. Feel free to comment or even email me at Marianne@MarianneRenner.com with what has worked for you.