Want a More Productive Morning Routine? “Pay” Yourself First

We need to list out a set of non-negotiables that we first need to do to pay ourselves**, and then work on paying others.**

It is embarrassing to know that even by browsing Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, we are paying those companies with our time, attention, and cognitive resources. We usually check our social media notifications when we get up. We check email, Slack and random stuff that catches our eye and even do some work that is assigned for early morning.

Each of us has an ideal list of things we would want to do or ourselves, right from the moment we get up. It can be reading for pleasure, enjoying a peaceful cup of coffee, or taking the dog out for a refreshing walk in the park.

One can allot an hour or more to these non-negotiables and make it a true non-negotiable by blocking out everything else, like work commitments, meetings, emails, social media or any official/work-related interaction.

1. Prioritize your 2 to 3 non-negotiables in the morning, what you can do on your own.
2. Do stuff you love doing and what makes you relaxed, and define them clearly.
3. Write it down on your to-do list as an important item to check off every day.
4. Don’t mix with any work-related stuff.
5. Review and improvise on your list.

A few examples: Meditating, exercising, writing a journal, reading, going for a walk.