By: Megan Jones

As the New Year comes, you may be looking to build better habits (if you are looking on how to make your resolutions stick, check out last weeks article). About a year and a half ago I wrote an article on the Billion Dollar Morning Routine, it focused on the commonalities between the economic elite’s morning routine. As we come into the New Year I decided to revisit this idea and add my own two cents into this routine and see if I can help myself build better habits by following the billion dollar routine.

What is the Billion Dollar Routine?

The Billion Dollar Routine is a lengthy morning routine that is done by the economic elite. The routine is as follows:

• Wake Up Early
• Recall Your Dreams
• Make Your Bed
• Drink a Glass of Water
• Take Vitamins
• Meditation
• Exercise
• Have a Cold Shower
• Make Tea
• Write in Your Journal
• Create a To Do, To Feel, and To Be List
• Read
• Make a Smoothie
• Start your Day

If you plan to incorporate any or all of this into your routine, here are my suggestions and takeaways for you to optimize your success.

Reflect First

Think about your current morning routine. First and foremost, do you have a steady routine or does it change day to day? There may be some mornings that you have an extra action item however, one thing I believe is vital in the billionaire morning routine is structure. If you are looking to get a more out of your mornings, or more structured morning the billionaire morning routine provides you with a strong structure of items you can do.

Create a Realistic Morning Routine

There are about a billion reasons I am not a billionaire, and although one could be because I don’t follow this routine regime, it isn’t realistic for me. This routine would take hours and it is not realistic for me to start waking up two hours earlier than I already do. Additionally, personally for me, it is un-imaginable for me to start my morning without a coffee/tea.

I recognize the important of structure, however, it is also important to be honest with yourself. Start small with first creating your routine that you have. Then you can slowly start to incorporate some of the billionaire steps into your routine. For me, I love to have my routine written down somewhere so I can check items off as I go. It is a great way to start my morning to have a list of items I have already completed. Moreover, if I have it written down, I don’t have to force my mind to try and remember everything I have to do in the morning. My favorite app to do this on is Routines, it lets you build both a morning and evening routine, and it can be a great way to stay on track!  

Prioritize Your Health

One of the major takeaways I get from the morning routine, is to prioritize my health. The billionaire morning routine focuses on all aspects of your health. Taking vitamins, having breakfast, exercise and drinking water are great for your physical health and meditation and journaling are wonderful for your mental wellness. Again, unfortunately at this time is too many action items to bring into my current routine. However, this is a great opportunity to reflect on how you are taking care of yourself and then consider adding in some wellness steps. Consider adding a glass of water into your morning routine, and always talk to your physician before adding any vitamins or supplements.

Morning of Movement

Your morning can set the tone to your day. Movement has an immeasurable amount of benefits. Regardless, of if you workout in the morning of have a hefty morning routine, movement is great way to start the day. Consider adding stretching or walking to get your cup of coffee in the morning. If you are working remotely, remember the importance of movement and consider adding a brisk walk to your morning or lunch.

Just Do It

I will be the first to admit that there are plenty of mornings that I hit the snooze button one too many times or I walk out of the house without making my bed. Although I will give myself grace, as sometimes I am just that tired, if I am being honest with myself sometimes I am just being lazy. So, this year I have to build a better habit and it starts when my alarm goes off. When your alarm goes off, just get up. Although, this is easier said than done, it is possible and here’s how. When your alarm goes off, you may get the urge to hit snooze, to avoid the urge, start counting backwards from 5 in your head By counting backwards it blocks incoming messages to your brain and you focus on counting. Then after you say one sit up and get up. It sounds easy however this really is this simple. I have been trying it every morning and thus far it has increased my urge to get out of bed when my alarm goes off. Consider giving it a try and see how it goes.

Overall Takeaways

The billionaire morning routine is definitely a productive morning, and I can see all the benefits each step has. However, remember to be honest with yourself and create a routine that you are confident you can do. Then, consider adding small steps. These steps are just like goals. You have to build the habit and building habits is difficult. Although, this is difficult to do, if there is a piece of tough love I can provide its this: you can’t continue to do the same thing and expect new results. You have to push yourself to build better habits.

Best of luck building your new routine and I am confident you and your mornings will thrive!