Rise and shine, ladies! The a.m. just became your new BFF. Whether you’re a morning person or night owl, it can’t be denied that using the early hours before a busy work day can be key to a successful and productive day. Below are three ways successful people kick off their day:

Exercise
We know it’s tempting to hit the snooze button one or two (or three) times, but hear us out! Whether it’s a serene yoga practice or a cardio barre class, exercising before work gives you a boost of energy for the day. More importantly, it gives you a sense of accomplishment and helps keep a promise to yourself. Even if it’s just a quick walk for a much needed cup of coffee, an early morning workout will help start your day on the right note. Our thoughts? Paperwork is a piece of cake after 30 minutes of kick boxing!

Work on Top-Priority Items First
The quiet hours of the morning can be an ideal time to focus on an important project — work or personal — without being interrupted. Moreover, spending time on a critical project in the beginning of your day ensures that you spend some undivided attention on it before others (co-workers, bosses, family) use it up. With your morning cup of coffee, take time to map out what you deem top priorities and aim to cross out your top three by the afternoon. You might just find the 3 p.m. slump is no longer an issue.

Make Your Bed
Yes, we’re serious! For those of us who aren’t traditional early birds, being productive in the morning seems a little daunting. Just finding time to eat breakfast can seem difficult, even though that meal leads to increased energy and better overall mode. However, studies have found that doing a simple task, such as making your bed, and treating it as a “keystone habit” can help create a domino effect and lead to healthier habits throughout the day.

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