Though we tend to look to our workday when we’re looking for ways to improve professionally, sometimes, it can be just as beneficial to look at the time outside of our workdays. This week, I want to focus on morning routines. How do you spend those first couple hours of your day before diving into work? This time has the power to set the tone for the entire day ahead, and loan officers can seize that opportunity to maximize their mornings. What are some things that can strengthen a morning routine? Let’s dive in:

Start With an Accomplishment

Productivity and motivation enthusiasts everywhere tend to come together on this simple suggestion: make your bed first thing every morning. This way, within the first few minutes of waking up, you’ve accomplished something. It might seem insignificant, but this action is priming your brain for more accomplishment throughout the day. It’s a simple show of commitment to utilizing your mornings to their fullest potential.

Get the Fuel You Need

Mornings are a time to fuel up, and this looks different for everyone. Maybe you work best with a full breakfast, or maybe you prefer intermittent fasting and packing a sustaining lunch. Maybe you need a strenuous workout, or perhaps you need some gentle stretching or meditation. Prioritizing the fuel for your body and mind that will support your day ahead is an essential component of a good morning routine.

Make Time to Transition

How do you signal to your brain that it’s time to shift into work mode? This is an important element of a morning routine because it reminds us to maintain some boundaries between our work and personal lives. Maybe it’s simply your drive to work that helps you prepare. For many of us working from home, though, we no longer have that transition time. If you’re working at home, it might be getting yourself ready or cleaning up your work area that signals to your brain it’s time to focus.

Identify Your Goals

The morning is an ideal time to connect with your goals. Highlighting your top few things to accomplish for the day can help you focus on what needs your attention most. It’s also a great time to look at your longer-term goals for the next month or even next year. Large goals are usually achieved through small daily actions. What can you do today to move you a step closer to that goal?

How do you use your mornings? Do you have a routine that supports your success? What is its most important element? I’d love to hear what you think!