Entrepreneurs tend to have busy schedules. For many, their work starts as soon as they wake up and lasts until they go to sleep. However, having an established morning routine that incorporates both work and non-work elements can help entrepreneurs stay at the top of their game. If you are unsure of where to start with your morning routine, use the following as your inspiration.

Wake Up and Exercise

The first thing most people do in the morning is get ready for the day. Yet, there are many benefits to exercising right when you wake up. Entrepreneurs who exercise early may find that they have an easier time waking up and completing tasks in the early morning. The natural endorphin-boost may be helpful for those who are trying to cut back on caffeine dependency, too. Exercising early will also ensure that you get your daily fitness in, which is a big benefit to the health-conscious, but busy entrepreneur.

Get Ready

After exercising, it makes sense to get ready for the day. Shower, get dressed, and do everything else that prepares you for the day. If you can’t function without your coffee or find you feel more alert after eating a hearty breakfast, now is the time to dig in. Also, you should take the time to round up anything you need to take to the office, so you don’t forget it when it is time to leave.

Meditate and Practice Gratefulness

After waking up, it is time to meditate. Different people meditate in different ways. Some like to sit quietly and clear their mind, while others like to journal. It doesn’t matter which you prefer, as long as you make time for it. This is also an excellent time to remind yourself of all of the things you are grateful for. If you struggle to come up with something, there is no harm in appreciating the little things — your home, your food, and your work, for example. Practicing gratefulness each day will help promote a more positive outlook on life, leading to a better start to your workday.

Learn a Skill

At this point, you should set aside some time to improve yourself by learning a new skill. Some will require focus and may need to be completed at home, while others can be absorbed on your morning commute. Although you can use this time to improve in a business-focused area, it may be even more beneficial to focus on something outside of work. Perhaps you want to learn to code, study a language, or even practice drawing. Even if what you do does not directly impact your business, it will keep your mind sharp and could have some indirect benefits.

Once you’ve completed all of the steps above, you are ready to check into work and get started with the day. After trialling this routine, see what works best for you and what doesn’t. You can always make changes to improve your mornings, so start here and take note of the impact to your life.