Are you looking for ways to improve your morning routine? According to psychologist Ron Friedman – it’s a wise move. As Friedman confirms, the first three hours of your day are the most precious for maximized productivity.

"Typically, we have a window of about three hours where we're really focused. We're able to have some strong contributions in terms of planning, in terms of thinking, in terms of speaking well," Friedman shares with Harvard Business Review.

For inspiration, take a look at three routines of these successful leaders and what they do to save time:

Identify and work on your priorities - As an international speaker and bestselling author, Mel Robbins has mastered the ability to turn complicated topics into memorable soundbites. She also has a simple and effective morning routine that includes doing a “brain dump” for 5 to 10 minutes without opening that inbox on your phone, laptop or other computer. For Robbins, “This consists of dumping all your projects, to-dos, reminders and priorities onto a piece of paper. Then highlight the top three things on the list that you need to deal with today, things that matter most to you.”

Even if you are facing a full schedule, “this starts your day by focusing on what’s important to you. I make my notes in a 3-by-5-inch notebook that I carry everywhere so I can continue brain-dumping all day.”

“Next—still without visiting that inbox—open your calendar and find a 30-minute block in your day when you can focus on your top three things uninterrupted. It doesn’t matter when that block happens; find the time and schedule it.”

Work on the creative actions first – Many will agree that the ability to thrive as a creative professional is largely determined by the little things you do every day.  In his own words, Todd Henry, bestselling author and keynote speaker, shares, “I’m a firm believer in doing your most important creative work first thing, and for me that is typically writing if I’m working on a book.”

Plan a task that you will look forward to working on  – In her Entrepreneur article, Amna Shamim writes, “When you're dreading the hard work you have to do, do something fun first in order to ease into work and to have something, initially, that you look forward to. I alternate my ‘boring/hard’ tasks with ones I find fun or easy.”

“An example? I love reading articles about high-level SEO tactics, but don't feel the same way about keyword research for clients. I alternate articles I've stockpiled with finding 10 solid keywords.”

“For every 10 keywords I can find that meet my stringent criteria, I get to pick a fun article to consume. This is my personal method of combining positive reinforcement with actual productivity.”

Now it’s your turn

In the comments section that follows, take a moment to share one of your favorite morning routines that has helped you be more successful.

Written by: Mindability Leadership