Strategy
Successful Start to the Day
The things you do when you first hop out of bed in the morning often pave the path for your day ahead. Learn what early a.m. routines can set you up for a successful day at the office.
By Savannah Waszczuk
Jul 2016
Mickey Moore, President and CEO of Tomo Drug Testing (formerly Employee Screening Services), has worked in an office environment for nearly 20 years, but he’s always started his mornings long before he sits down at his desk. After trying a variety of a.m. routines, he’s learned what it takes to set himself up for the most successful day. Read on for his tips.
Start Last Night.
If you wake up not knowing what’s in store for the day, you’re in trouble. “Chaotic mornings when I have to look at my phone and email right away and immediately turn on work mode lead to my worst days,” Moore says. That’s why he suggests reviewing what’s in store for your work day tomorrow before you even leave work today. “If you evaluate your next day and prepare for it, you’ll know what’s ahead of you,” Moore says.
Move Your Body.
Exercise does more than get your body moving—it gets your brain going, too. Moore’s wife, Linda, teaches 5:45 a.m. fitness classes at Dynamic Body, so Moore is encouraged to work out as an early bird. “If I miss my early morning workout, I am rarely able to get it done later that day,” he says. If you do exercise early, get up early enough to allow yourself plenty of time to cool down and eat before work.
Feed Your Brain.
There’s a reason they call breakfast the most important part of the day. “I never miss breakfast,” Moore says. And he’s not talking about grabbing a Pop-Tart as he rushes out the door. “We eat a balanced breakfast,” he says of his family. “I’m very blessed that I get to start many days with breakfast with my wife and our two girls.”
Make Time For Reflection.
“I’ve found that my best days are those I start intentionally,” Moore says. “Mornings where I have time with my family and time with God help me put everything into perspective. That time helps give me purpose and intention to everything I do.” This is sometimes just 15 minutes of quiet reflection and prayer on his drive to work. “It puts my priorities in the right place,” he says. “It really gives purpose and meaning to everything throughout the day.”
