Hit Snooze and Still Own Your Morning

Four ways to set up your morning for all-day success... Without getting up any earlier.

- By Liz Baker Plosser

WE'VE ALL BEEN THERE—those blurry, bleary, chaotic mornings when we curse ourselves for not going to bed earlier or not getting up earlier. But what ifit's possible not only to make morning the best part of your day but to actually own it? Owning your morning isn't about rising earlier than you usually do. It's about using the first few hours after you wake up as a warm-up that will prime you for all the twists and turns-and possibilities, in a day. No matter what your current beginning-of-the-day routine looks like (and whatever time beginning is for you), you have the power to transform it into a healthier, happier experience. “A solid morning routine offers you control and peace of mind, says Dr. Mary Kelly, the CEO of Productive Leaders. “That way, if something unexpected happens later, you can flex with the situation. You've already taken the time to accomplish some important things on your to-do list.” I'm so convinced that a morning routine is essential that I wrote a whole book about it. Even if you're not a “morning person, these strategies can set you up for all-day energy and focus.

1 SEIZE MIDMORNING GENIUS

Science shows that we're primed to be productive, creative, and focused in the AM, which makes it a great time to dig into a complicated project. However, that doesn't mean you need to start the grind before the sun's up. It simply means it's smart to schedule your most mentally demanding tasks on the early side.

2 STOP WONDERING, 2 GET STARTED