Motivation comes down to three things: First, setting my mindset and gaining the proper perspective, and second, getting started. If you're like me, getting started is the hardest part of doing anything, and the third part is building momentum. 

My morning routine is nothing special, and I'm not trying to sell you anything unique here. But this works for me, so I'll feel refreshed and motivated to conquer whatever the day brings.

I keep my routine game strong. I'm a creature of habit, so I like to have good ones for which I will thank myself later in the day. I undertake a combination of activities every morning to ensure I feel motivated and keep my energy up as the day goes by. As a rule, I must maintain my daily routine no matter where I am located. My morning routine allows me to feel rooted and grounded in myself and offers consistency. 

My morning routine goes something like this:

Timeline Building. I build a daily timeline for everything I must do that day, becoming the ultimate to-do list. By creating a timeline, I know what activities I can fit into that day and estimate how long each activity should last. I have a start and finish time for each activity that helps me stay on track and schedule. Building a timeline allows me to focus on what I must accomplish that day. 

Sleep Schedule. I maintain a sleep schedule. Sleep is essential for many people, and they often go without it or with too much of it. I always make time for a good night's sleep of at least 6 to 8 hours, no matter what. I don't do well with little rest. I know this about myself, so I plan to allow enough time to reach the amount of sleep I need, no matter what. Sometimes this means I have to go to bed early since I aim to wake up around the same time every day to keep me on my sleep schedule. No super late nights are allowed because I do not benefit from them. 

Nutritional Breakfast. I always eat the same thing for breakfast and must watch my food intake for both nutritional and budgetary purposes. I start the day with a healthy breakfast, one cup of coffee, and sometimes a follow-up cup of tea.

Mini Study Session. Every morning at home, while I drink my coffee, I do a mini-study session to get motivated for the day. Often I reread my favorite quotes or passages from a book, and sometimes, I try to learn about something new in 5-10 min that I can research online on my phone. Reading is a must for me every morning, and I typically read psychology articles or articles that inspire me. I also review my yearly goals at this time, which I keep printed out and accessible at all times. Reviewing my yearly goals reminds me of what I'm trying to accomplish this year, and I can look at my daily timeline to see how my upcoming daily activities help me to achieve my yearly goals. 

Get My Walk On. The most important thing I do every morning is my walking routine. This part sets my mood for the entire day and helps me ward off unwanted anxieties. I walk my dog outside every morning for 20 to 30 minutes. She's a husky mix rescue dog with a lot of energy, so you can imagine what kind of a full-blown workout that is. After my Layla walk, I immediately go back outside before I can change my mind, and I do a personal walk around the neighborhood just for me. Music is of great importance here. Without music, my legs would not move as quickly. I like to make specific walking playlists of music that keep me moving. I walk outside, rain or shine, for about 45 minutes to an hour every morning before leaving the house. I'm allowed two days off a week, but I must walk five days a week at minimum to maintain momentum and reach my goal. 

So there you go! After I complete my routine steps one to five, I'm ready to take on the day, and I feel great about it. Do you have a morning routine that inspires you? Please feel free to share if you do.