Your Effective Guide to Crushing Your Day Before 8 AM
If you’ve ever read about the world’s most successful people, you may have noticed they have something in common: they all wake up at a ridiculously early hour. And as much as we, late-night binge-watchers, want to resist this notion, there’s something undeniably alluring about having your life together before the sun even considers rising. Enter: The Miracle Morning.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how the Miracle Morning could be your secret weapon to achieving all your goals — from career to self-care — while also retaining your unique brand of sarcasm and Netflix addiction. So, grab your cup of coffee (or, let’s be real, your third coffee) and let’s dive into the magical land of early mornings.
P.s. I still secretly snooze at times, but the Miracle Morning routine has helped me limit the amount of snoozes a week. There is hope for us.
Table of Contents
- What is the Miracle Morning?
- Why You Need a Miracle Morning (Even If You Hate Mornings)
- The 6 Key Elements of the Miracle Morning Routine
- Silence
- Affirmations
- Visualization
- Exercise
- Reading
- Scribing (aka Journaling for Cool Kids)
- Tips for Non-Morning People to Nail the Miracle Morning
- Incorporating the Miracle Morning into Your Life (Without Losing Your Mind)
What is the Miracle Morning?
The Miracle Morning is a concept pioneered by Hal Elrod in his book The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8 AM). The basic premise is simple: you wake up early, like really early (think 5 or 6 AM), and engage in a structured routine designed to improve your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Elrod’s idea is that starting your day with purpose and discipline sets the tone for productivity and happiness. If it sounds intimidating, that’s because it is—especially for us night owls who believe that sleep is the one true religion. But here’s the good news: it actually works.
You don’t just get up early to feel smug about it; you follow specific steps during the Miracle Morning that help you level up every aspect of your life. Think of it like a morning smoothie that doesn’t taste like grass. Intriguing, right?
Why You Need a Miracle Morning (Even If You Hate Mornings)
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Waking up early? No thanks, I already have 20 snooze alarms set for 7:00 AM.”
But hear me out.
The Morning is Your Brain’s Prime Real Estate
When you wake up, your brain is fresh. It hasn’t been bogged down by emails, Slack notifications, or the existential dread of another Zoom meeting. Early morning is prime brain real estate, and the Miracle Morning is like buying oceanfront property on your mental coast.
You Get More Stuff Done
This isn’t some theoretical productivity hack — when you wake up and knock out a set routine, you’re already ahead of 90% of the population (who are still snuggled in bed, blissfully unaware of your new superpower). This momentum can carry into the rest of your day, and before you know it, you’re doing things like meal prepping, taking on side hustles, and, dare I say it, actually reading that stack of books you keep buying.
It’s Actually Kind of Fun
Once you push past the initial horror of the alarm, the Miracle Morning can actually be… enjoyable. Shocking, I know. There’s something almost serene about being up before the chaos of the day starts, sipping your coffee, and knowing you’re in control. Plus, you get bragging rights on Instagram. #MiracleMorningClub
The 6 Key Elements of the Miracle Morning Routine
The core of the Miracle Morning lies in the SAVERS routine, an acronym that breaks down the six practices you incorporate into your morning. If the thought of having a multi-step process before your morning shower scares you, don’t worry. Let’s take it one baby step (and one coffee) at a time.
1. Silence
Remember when your mom told you to enjoy the quiet? Well, she was right. Silence is the first step in the Miracle Morning, and it’s meant to help you center yourself before the day kicks into high gear. Meditation, deep breathing, or just sitting in silence while wondering why you agreed to do this can all count.
Pro Tip:
If the idea of sitting in silence feels unnatural (thanks, social media!), try a guided meditation. It’s like having a personal guru who doesn’t judge your coffee dependency.
2. Affirmations
Look, I know what you’re thinking: “Affirmations? Really?” Yes, really. Affirmations are statements you repeat to yourself to set intentions for your day and build a positive mindset. Think of it as hyping yourself up for the day. You wouldn’t enter a boxing match without some pump-up music, right? Same concept.
Example Affirmation:
“I will crush my to-do list today, and I will not cry while answering emails.” See? Easy.
3. Visualization
Visualization is like daydreaming but with purpose. You spend a few minutes imagining your future self achieving your goals. Picture yourself as the CEO, owning that dream home, or successfully avoiding your ex in the grocery store. If you can see it, you can make it happen. Or at least that’s what Hal Elrod and every motivational speaker ever tells us.
4. Exercise
Before you throw something at your screen, this doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon at 6 AM. A quick 10-15 minutes of yoga, stretching, or jumping jacks is enough to get your blood flowing and wake you up. If you’re more ambitious, go ahead and get that workout in.
Fun Fact:
Moving your body first thing in the morning wakes up not only your muscles but your brain too. It’s science. Thanks, endorphins!
5. Reading
Ah, reading. That thing we all wish we did more of, but instead, we scroll through TikTok until our thumbs hurt. The Miracle Morning encourages you to spend a few minutes reading something that fuels your personal growth—whether it’s a self-help book, industry news, or a blog post like this one. It’s about expanding your mind before diving into your inbox.
Recommended Reads:
- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod (duh)
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
6. Scribing (aka Journaling for Cool Kids)
The final step is journaling, or as the cool kids call it, “scribing.” This is your chance to reflect on your goals, jot down what you’re grateful for, or just rant about how annoying Brenda from Accounting is. It helps clear your mind and organize your thoughts before the madness of the day begins.
Tips for Non-Morning People to Nail the Miracle Morning
Let’s face it, most of us aren’t naturally morning people. So how do we, caffeine-dependent night owls, conquer the Miracle Morning?
1. Start Small
If waking up at 5 AM sounds like pure torture, start by waking up 15 minutes earlier than usual. Gradually increase your wake-up time until you’re ready to join the 6 AM club.
2. Prep the Night Before
Lay out your clothes, set up your coffee maker, and put your phone on the other side of the room (sorry, but it works). Make it as easy as possible for morning-you to get moving.
3. Reward Yourself
Motivate yourself with a little treat. Whether it’s a fancy latte or 10 minutes of guilt-free Instagram scrolling, give yourself something to look forward to after completing your routine.
4. Don’t Be Perfect
Some days you might skip a step, and that’s okay! The Miracle Morning is meant to be flexible. If you miss a day or two (or three), just pick up where you left off. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your perfect routine doesn’t have to be either.
Incorporating the Miracle Morning into Your Life (Without Losing Your Mind)
Alright, now you’re convinced. You’re ready to embrace the Miracle Morning life. But how do you make it stick without burning out by Day 3?
1. Customize It
Not all routines are created equal. If one of the SAVERS steps doesn’t resonate with you, tweak it. Maybe your form of silence is listening to calming music, or perhaps you prefer reading fantasy novels instead of self-help. Make it work for you.
2. Be Consistent, Not Perfect
The goal is consistency, not perfection. You’re not going to become a morning guru overnight (pun intended), but by sticking with it, even if imperfectly, you’ll start to notice changes.
3. Celebrate Small Wins
Did you wake up early three days in a row? Celebrate that! Rewarding yourself for small victories keeps you motivated and reminds you that you’re making progress.
4. Stay Accountable
Find a friend who’s willing to try this with you, or join an online group where people share their Miracle Morningexperiences. The shared camaraderie (and let’s be honest, a little peer pressure) can keep you on track.
Conclusion: Ready to Crush Your Morning?
The Miracle Morning isn’t about suddenly becoming a superhuman who thrives on 5 AM wake-ups and kale smoothies. It’s about reclaiming your mornings, setting the tone for the rest of your day, and creating a routine that helps you thrive — all while still being your funny, over-caffeinated self.
So, give it a try. Start slow, don’t stress the details, and maybe — just maybe — you’ll find yourself becoming one of those annoying morning people after all.
Now, go set that alarm… or maybe just one more snooze.
