7 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success for a Great Day

Some mornings, you can tell that it’s not going to be a good day from the very first blare of the alarm. And maybe getting set up for success is the last thing on your mind.

You’ve overslept, and everyone’s running late. You forgot to buy more cereal yesterday, so you’ve got to scramble to get something else together for breakfast. The dog’s morning walk is forgotten, and you can’t find your keys. Already, you’re not having a great day.

Are you getting stressed just thinking about it? You aren’t alone. And there is something you can do about it so that your next day doesn’t mimic a similar scenario.

So, let’s take a look at the seven best ways to set yourself up for success.

What Does it Mean to Have a Great Day?

Life is unpredictable, and even the most meticulously planned schedules can get ruined. Having a great day doesn’t necessarily mean that nothing unexpected or stressful happens.

To an extent, we can’t control what happens during our day. What we can control, however, is how we handle it.

Starting the day relaxed, confident, and prepared is going to have an impact on our decisions. So, while getting a good start won’t remove all the problems from your day, whether they’re at school, work, or home, it can help you set up your scope for success. Plus, it’ll help the way you handle problems and other people!

With that in mind, let’s set up your next day for success. Check out the seven ways below to set yourself up for success for a great day.

1. Get Up On Time & Sleep Well

The first step to a good morning is to get up on time. No pressing the snooze button five times in a row! Getting up with plenty of time to get ready, eat breakfast, and do any chores or responsibilities you need to carry out can practically guarantee a relaxed, stress-free morning.

What’s the alternative? That extra twenty minutes in bed can mean that you don’t have time for breakfast or have to rush out of the house not looking as good as you’d like.

Of course, getting up on time isn’t going to help if you don’t sleep well. Sleep is how our bodies rest and renew. Not getting enough sleep means you’ll wake up tired, irritable, and groggy. That’s far from the best start!

Getting a good night’s sleep is an art in itself. However, sleeping well at night and then getting up on time is a perfect start to your day.

2. Eat Breakfast

Eating breakfast is a good way to kick your metabolism into gear and gives you enough energy to get through the morning. Breakfast can be a great family activity, or it can be a peaceful and mindful time before tackling the day.

Breakfast doesn’t have to be a huge meal. You might prefer a very light breakfast, perhaps only a piece of fruit. If you don’t like to eat at all in the mornings, a refreshing drink or cup of coffee will do just fine.

The point is to take some time before the day truly begins. For some people, this restful, quiet period is their favorite time of the day.

3. Practice Mindfulness

We often forget how important it is to be present in our own lives. A morning can easily fly by without any mindfulness at all. Too often, we’re simply too focused on what we have to do, what we haven’t done, or anything other than the moment we’re in.

Practicing mindfulness is a way to relax and destress at the beginning of the day. You can repeat these practices during the day, too, to maintain your inner peace of mind.

Try setting aside just ten or fifteen minutes in the morning to sit in a comfortable chair and drink your favorite beverage. Don’t allow yourself to get tied up in rushing around or accomplishing tasks. Simply sit, enjoy your drink, and let your mind wander. Breathing exercises can be good during this time.

Plus, if you have goals to achieve in your life, mindfulness can help you get there by helping you balance everything out and increase your awareness during every moment.

You might also like: Why is Mindfulness So Difficult? (& What to Do About It)

4. Plan Out Your Day

Planning ahead can be a lifeline. Whether you take time in the mornings to plan out your day or do it the night before, make sure you know exactly what you’re doing that day. You might want to physically write out your schedule or just review the day’s plans in your mind. It’s up to you!

This helps to reduce the chance of any nasty, last-minute surprises. Knowing what we’re doing is often a weight off our minds.

5. Spend Time With Loved Ones

There’s no better start to a day than spending time with the ones you love. This could be your family, your friends, your partner, or even your beloved pet. Quality time with our loved ones tends to relax us, reminding us of what’s really important.

A scheduled mealtime is a great way to make sure you’re spending quality time with those who matter most to you.

Read this next: The Significant Mental Benefits of Strong Relationships

6. Set Aside Time for Yourself

Especially for working parents, a morning can just be you taking care of other people. If you have small children, this is pretty much unavoidable. Even so, it’s important to take time for yourself, too.

Even if you can only spare ten or fifteen minutes for a cup of coffee or a few moments’ mindfulness, make sure you give yourself a few moments of self-care every day.

7. Create A Morning Playlist

There’s nothing like a great playlist to get us pumped and ready for the day. You may wonder how to have a good day in quarantine when we don’t even get to leave the house. Music can come to the rescue.

Pick out some of your favorite songs and make a playlist. Choose happy, energetic songs that make you feel good. Don’t worry about what’s cheesy or what’s embarrassing– these are your songs.

Playing your morning playlist while you’re getting ready is a fantastic way to set yourself up for success.

Start Your Mornings Off On The Right Foot

Getting set up for success in the mornings can take a bit of getting used to. Having a great day may depend on all kinds of factors, and you can’t always control that. But getting started on the right foot can still make a big difference to your day.

At the very least, we can always try to do our best by planning and using our mornings to our advantage.

When you feel good right off the bat, the rest of your day is more likely to be successful. So, go ahead and have a successful and happy day by setting yourself up for success.

Related article: 12 Mantras to Manifest Success in 2021