6 Things Successful people do in their first hour

If you're reading this in a bleary-eyed haze wondering where the morning went, there's a pretty good chance you need to rethink your waking up ritual. The way you spend the first 60 minutes of each morning can have a profound affect on the rest of the day -- especially on Mondays when any sane person would rather be in bed. Here are seven morning routines that will help you to start the day on the right foot.

Successful people know that the early hours of the day is the best time to properly structure your day and give you a "aerial view" of what that day will be like. It sets the day in motion, and if you use it well, it will help to ensure that you fulfill all you set out to do that day.

The early morning hours is good because it gives you a clear head to think, meditate, and plan. No distraction of the activities of the day – no hustling and bustling of business, traffic, phone calls, kids, girlfriend/boyfriend, e.t.c. Almost everyone is still asleep or romancing with their duvet in a bid to "totally" wake up. People that are awake at this time are probably doing what you want to do, so they are "quiet" too.

"How you begin your morning often sets the tone and your attitude for the day. It can also derail or direct your focus. If you remain committed to good morning work habits, you won't fall prey to feeling unproductive and distracted at the end of the day or week."

Reflect on The Previous Days' Activities

Most people do this on the evening of the said day, but it is even important to do it early the next day. You may have missed out on important activities of the previous day that you can learn from. You know, if you did it at night, what you will most likely have checked is if you completed items on your to-do list. You may not have reflected on what happened that day.

So, it's important to start your day going over the events of the previous day; you will learn one or two or more things, and it gives you a fresh perspective of the day ahead.

You must understand at this point that you are not supposed to be worrying about what you did or did not do the previous day, but to search for lessons.

Take this as an addition; another great thing to do in the early hours of the morning is meditation. Like, you have to put it in your schedule that you will be meditating within a stipulated time. You can even draw up a calendar of things you want to meditate about or let it flow freely as you begin.

Do The Health Preserving 'little things'

That is probably the only time you have to work out. Medical experts also advise that we should drink a glass of water first thing in the morning for optimum health, take vitamins and do all the other little things.

Our brains are 75% water, so if you're not hydrated your brain won't function properly. You'll become sluggish and fatigued, which is not conducive to being productive early in the morning.

The day has enough activities already, and you cannot add the issue of working out or remembering to drink so and so glasses of water to the numerous businesses of the day. Just get the work out over with.

N.B: Try as much as possible not to skip breakfast, except you are on a dieting program or fasting.

Create/Review Your To-Do List

Most people advocate for creating your to-do list the night before so that your brain works on the potential activities for the next day while you sleep.

Whether you do it the night before or not, you should review or create you to-do list in the morning. It's a great way to start your day and besides we tend to wake up in a different place from where we slept.

Also don't just create the to-do list, but organize it. Determine what must be done, what ought to be done and what may be done and work with those priorities and tick them off as they go!

Meditate and Work on Personal Projects

As an entrepreneur, you may think of your business as your personal project, but that is not really the case. Think of a lady who runs a small Human Resources Consulting Firm. She may have like 4 other staff and business is doing well, but that consulting firm is not her personal life.

This lady can be planning a programme advocating for education of girls in rural areas. She may be planning to publish a book on landing your dream job by the end of the year, or may be working on another business.

Whatever it is that is personal to you, the early morning hours is a great time to work on them. You are free from the "Hustling and Bustling" of the day's activities so plan and meditate on your personal stuff. This way the hustle doesn't get to blindside you.

Read the News

Another thing you can do at this time is check out the latest headlines. Activities of the day may bar you from doing so as soon as the day "begins".

Information is potential power, so it is important you get new information before you step out into the day. There is possibility news you read up online or the early morning news on TV can have some information that may alter your day. Even if it doesn't walking around unaware is not the best way to be.

Spend time with your friend or family

Set up a run date with a friend. Take the time to eat breakfast with your family. Call someone who makes you smile while you're getting ready or walking to the office. Being with people you like and love can serve up a big boost to our mood and energy levels,

Have a hot cup of coffee or Tea

If a cup of java — or tea — starts your morning on the right foot, have your caffeine in the morning, Goel says. There's a lot of data to show it really does help most people feel more alert and less groggy, she says. And while a coffee habit can get a bad rap, there's also a lot of research that shows drinking it (in moderation!) actually has some health benefits, too.