If you want to wake up feeling motivated each morning, say goodbye to these 7 behaviors

For as long as I can remember, I desperately wanted to wake up each morning brimming with motivation.

We all know the feeling:

• Enthusiasm for the day ahead
• A clear mind
• Unshakeable self-belief
• An eagerness to face challenges head-on.

But instead, I found myself waking up sluggish, uninspired, and dreading the day ahead.

I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder of Hack Spirit, and a huge psychology enthusiast.

A few years ago, I was stuck in a rut of negative behaviors that were sabotaging my morning motivation.

I was always tired, procrastinating, and stuck in a loop of negativity.

But then I realized something crucial: my behaviors were the problem.

So, I said goodbye to them and it changed everything!

In this article, I’ll share 7 of those detrimental behaviors with you, in the hopes they can help you transform your mornings as they did mine.

Get ready to say hello to a more motivated morning!

1) Hitting the snooze button

It sounds harmless, right?

But in reality, those extra minutes of sleep were doing more harm than good.

They were setting the tone for my day—a tone of procrastination and delay.

I realized that by hitting snooze, I was essentially telling myself that I didn’t want to face the day.

That my comfort zone was more important than my goals and dreams.

So, I made a change.

No matter how tempting it was to stay under the warm covers for just a few more minutes, I forced myself to get up as soon as the alarm went off.

It was tough at first, but slowly it became a habit—and the impact on my mornings was incredible!

I started my days with a small victory, which set a positive tone for the rest of the day.

I felt proactive and in control, ready to take on whatever came my way.

If you’re struggling with morning motivation, start with this small change: Resist the snooze button.

It’s a simple act that can have a powerful impact on your mindset and motivation.

2) Negative self-talk

Every morning, before I even got out of bed, my mind would be flooded with negativity. I’d tell myself things like “I’m not good enough”, “I can’t do this”, or “Today is going to be a disaster”.

And guess what? It became a self-fulfilling prophecy.

That’s when I remembered a quote from the renowned psychologist Albert Ellis:

“The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.”

It hit me that I was in control of my thoughts and my reality.

So, I decided to change the narrative in my head.

Instead of starting my day with negative self-talk, I made a conscious effort to replace it with positive affirmations.

“I am capable”, “I can handle whatever comes my way”, “Today will be a great day”.

And you know what? It worked!

My mood improved significantly, and my mornings became less daunting and more exciting.

Changing your inner dialogue might seem like a small adjustment, but it can profoundly impact your motivation levels and overall outlook on life.

3) Skipping breakfast

I used to rush out of the door with just a cup of coffee in my hand.

By mid-morning, I would feel sluggish, irritable, and my focus would start to wane.

It took me a while to realize that my lack of energy and motivation was linked to my lack of morning nutrition.

So, I started waking up a little earlier to ensure I had time for a healthy breakfast.

I’d have a bowl of oatmeal with fruits, or eggs with whole grain toast—meals that are rich in protein and fiber to keep me energized throughout the day.

The difference was astonishing.

Not only did I feel more energetic and focused, but I also felt more motivated.

Starting the day with a nutritious meal gave me the sense that I was taking care of myself, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day.

If you’re constantly feeling unmotivated and tired during the day, try not to skip breakfast.

It’s called the most important meal of the day for a reason.

Start your day right by fueling your body with the right nutrients, and you’ll be surprised at how much more motivated and energetic you’ll feel.

4) Too much screen time before bed

I used to spend hours scrolling through social media or watching TV right before I went to sleep.

I thought it was a great way to unwind, but instead, it was making my mornings harder.

A study conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston found that using electronic devices before bed can confuse our body’s internal clock and make it harder to fall asleep.

This resulted in less quality sleep, and I was waking up feeling drained and unmotivated.

After learning about this, I decided to implement a digital detox an hour before bedtime.

Instead of staring at screens, I would read a book, listen to calming music, or practice some light yoga.

The change wasn’t immediate, but over time, my sleep quality improved significantly.

I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

5) Lack of physical activity

I used to spend most of my mornings sitting at a desk, working long hours without taking any breaks to move my body.

By midday, I’d feel sluggish and drained of energy.

Then I came across numerous studies that highlighted the link between physical activity and increased energy levels.

I decided to incorporate some form of exercise into my morning routine.

I started with just 10 minutes of stretching each morning.

Eventually, I added a short jog or a quick workout session into my routine.

The increase in my energy levels was noticeable almost immediately.

Not only did I feel more alert and energetic, but I also felt more motivated and ready to tackle the day’s tasks.

If you’re struggling with morning motivation, consider incorporating some physical activity into your routine.

It doesn’t have to be a full-blown workout; even a short walk or some light stretching can make a significant difference.

6) Lack of planning

One of the most detrimental habits that was sabotaging my morning motivation was my lack of planning.

I used to start my mornings in a state of chaos, frantically trying to figure out what needed to be done for the day.

This lack of organization left me feeling overwhelmed and unproductive, which in turn affected my motivation levels.

So, I started planning my days the night before.

I would list down all the tasks that needed to be done and prioritize them based on their urgency and importance.

This gave me a clear vision of what my day would look like and helped me start my mornings with a sense of purpose and direction.

Having a clear plan can give you a sense of purpose and drive, helping you start your day motivated and ready to achieve your goals.

7) Overloading your to-do list

My days used to be crammed with tasks, thinking I could conquer them all.

But by midday, when I saw how much I still had left to do, it would drain my motivation.

It’s counterintuitive, but sometimes doing less can actually help you achieve more.

When we overload ourselves with tasks, it can lead to burnout and decreased productivity.

If this is something you struggle with, it’s time to change your approach.

Instead of overloading your to-do list, start focusing on the three most important tasks each day.

This will help you prioritize better and maintain your motivation levels throughout the day.

This simple strategy can help you stay focused and motivated, ensuring you’re working on what truly matters without feeling overwhelmed.

Conclusion

Saying goodbye to these behaviors wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my morning motivation and overall productivity.

Change doesn’t happen overnight!

Start with small adjustments and gradually work your way up.

Here’s a piece of advice: Don’t beat yourself up if you slip up.

Self-improvement is a journey, not a destination!

Celebrate each small victory and learn from the setbacks.

By becoming more mindful of these behaviors and taking steps to change them, you too can wake up feeling motivated and ready to seize the day.

Good luck on your journey towards better mornings!