The one thing every successful person does

Over the years, I’ve noticed that every successful woman has a morning ritual.

It doesn’t matter if they are in business, in politics or the community.

It doesn’t matter what part of the world they reside in if they are a mum or not.

All strong, successful women leaders have a morning ritual.

Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi, the first woman president of Pepsi and the first Pepsico president born outside the USA, wakes up at 4.00am every day and spend the first thirty minutes meditating. Then after a cup of tea, she spends the next ninety minutes exercising.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop diarises spending the first sixty minutes of every day on herself, often starting her day with a run.

Melinda Gates spends every morning in prayer. No matter where she is in the world, she takes the time to light a candle and speak to God.

And this phenomenon doesn’t just happen with women. Successful men do it too.

So, about 2.5 years ago, I decided to make a change in my morning routine.

Before the chaos of my day begins, when my household is still asleep…

I’m awake.

I spend the first part of every day investing in me.

Straight out of bed, I make a hot lemon water and listen to my favorite songs as I slowly wake up.

Most days I’ll start with exercise. That has been a transformative experience. I realise now when people say they have runners high, because its addictive. Not the actual exercise but the clarity it brings to my day. And over the last two years, I’ve found my body is stronger, my mind more alert.

As a woman of faith, I spend part of my morning in prayer. Now for those familiar with Myer Briggs I’m an ENFP, so I have a short attention span. I find it really hard to concentrate in prayer, so I’ve adapted and now journal my prayers. So every morning, I pour my soul, my frustrations, my concerns, my gratitude, my desires, my vision. This allows me to clear my head and position myself for the day to come and connect with something bigger than me.

Then the hectic day begins, making breakfasts, lunches, emails, meetings.

In this world its so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life.

But I urge you, try it. Spend the first hour of every day on you. Develop your own morning ritual.

Try waking up early
Exercising
Meditating
Journaling
Reading
Having a healthy breakfast

You will be amazed at what impact that has on your life, your career, your relationships.

Because the other thing that I’ve realised over the years. To move forward, you need a change in your standards. Say, for example, if you want to slim down, then you have to change your standards. You have to say no to the extra piece of cake, and you start to say yes to exercise.

So it’s the same with your career. If you want to have a successful career, then look at changing your standards. What will you say no to and what will you say yes too? And it starts with the little things. So perhaps, tomorrow you set your alarm for one hour earlier than you did today.