10 Things Productive People Do Before 10 a.m.

Not a morning person? You might want to reconsider.

Some of the most productive people in the world wake up at insanely early hours of the day. This connection between waking up early and how much work gets done is no coincidence. There are plenty of reasons why you should get out of bed and start your day well before 10 a.m.

I know what you’re thinking – So I set my alarm for an earlier time and get out of bed. Now what?

Here are 10 things productive people do before 10 a.m.

Wake Up

That’s right. Believe it or not, productive people wake up before 10 a.m.

Early morning is the best time to be productive. Your phone isn’t ringing yet, emails aren’t being sent and the world is quiet.

Some of the most productive people in the world wake up at 4 a.m. You don’t have to wake up this early, but it does free up a few hours where nothing is expected of you. This will let you focus on one thing at a time and get more work done.

Eat the Same Breakfast

We all know a healthy breakfast is a great way to start your day. What you might not know is the same breakfast every day is key for productivity.

Breakfast is a small decision that can take a lot of energy to make. To be productive, you have to limit the small decisions and only focus on the big ones. By making the same breakfast every day, you’re eliminating an unnecessary decision process from the beginning of your day. This will lead to a more productive morning.

Drink Water

Coffee is a common beverage people drink before 10 a.m. However, water can wake you up just as much.

Your brain is made mostly of water. Water has plenty of nutrients that fuel your mental energy and help you focus. Start your day by drinking a glass of water so you’ll stay productive well after 10 a.m.

Meditate

Most people open their eyes and get out of bed just to close their eyes and sit down. Early-morning meditation has been a popular activity for the world’s most productive people.

Meditation lets you focus on one thing, like your breathing. It makes you relax and concentrate. Meditation puts you in a positive mental state that carries through your day. Meditate in the morning and put your mental energy to use.

Exercise

Whether it’s running five miles, walking down the street or going to the gym, productive people exercise before 10 a.m.

Exercise has more to do with productivity than you might think. Exercise can enhance concentration, creativity, memory and learning capability. Your brain will thank you for waking up early and walking the dog or jogging around the neighborhood.

Plan Their Day

For some people, 10 a.m. is before their day begins. You can use this time to plan your day.

Create a to-do list with your most important tasks for the day. Then schedule each task so you know how long it’ll take you and when you’ll complete each one. Your day will be more structured and you won’t waste time thinking about what you could be doing.

Write

Don’t think you’re a writer? Well, you’re wrong!

Writing is thinking. It’s a way to work out your thoughts and solve problems you might have. Procrastination usually comes from avoiding problems and refusing to think about them. When you write, you’ll face these problems and overcome them. Writing early in the morning can help set up your productivity for the rest of the day.

You don’t have to write about problems at work. You can write creatively, or make an entry in you personal journal. The act of writing will free up your mind and increase your focus.

Get Rid of Clutter

Spend your morning setting up the rest of your workday by getting rid of clutter.

Unfortunately, clutter comes in many forms. The most obvious clutter will be sprawled across your workspace. It may be documents, notes, books or other miscellaneous objects that take up space on your desk. Clutter could also be digital. You might have to clear your inbox and get rid of old files on your computer.

Getting rid of clutter means you’re getting rid of messiness around you. You’ll be less distracted by old paperwork and more focused on your current work.

Don’t Check Their Phone

Productive people don’t let their phone disturb them in the morning.

Any task you try to accomplish early in the morning doesn’t require your phone. Co-workers aren’t sending you emails and the internet can’t help you. The reason why productive people wake up so early is so they can work without distractions. They get work done that only requires focus.

Your phone will only be a distraction. Leave it in another room and whatever you do, don’t check your emails!

One Important Task

Look at your to-do list. What’s the most important task on that list? Complete this task before 10 a.m.

Productive people get their important work out of the way in the morning because they’re more focused. There are fewer distractions and they can efficiently get it done.

Finishing your most important task before 10 a.m. makes you more available during the day for meetings, client demands and other work that may take you away from your task. Plus you’ve started your day by getting something done, which is always a great feeling.

Find A Routine

Take a shower. Eat breakfast. Run a mile. There are many things you can do before 10 a.m. that’ll make you more productive. They key takeaway is that all productive people have a morning routine.

Find a routine that works for you and stick with it. The repetitive process will set you up to work hard and remain focused for the rest of the day.

Early Bird Gets the Worm

Your work can’t get done while you’re lying in bed. Set that alarm and start your new life as an early riser!

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