How Stoicism Can Optimize Your Morning Routine
Everyone knows a great day starts with a great morning.
That’s why we are all so obsessed with morning routines. We try different hacks, tricks, and tactics to optimize our morning to set up a great day.
But this isn’t anything new. Over 2,000 years ago, the Stoics spoke of the importance of the morning and leveraging the earliest hours to create a day well spent.
Here is some sage advice from Stoicism that can help you build a solid morning routine.
“More active and commendable still is the person who is waiting for the daylight and intercepts the first rays of the sun.” – Seneca
The morning is sacred. Don’t waste your valuable morning time by sleeping in. Get up before the sun gets up. Use that quiet time to exercise, meditate, write. Use that time to be a little selfish and work on what is important to you.
“As each day arises, welcome it as the very best day of all, and make it your own possession. We must seize what flees.” – Seneca
Today is a gift, be grateful for it. As soon as you wake up, put a smile on your face and summon feelings of gratitude. It will put you in a great frame of mind for the day.
“When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly.” – Marcus Aurelius
Sometimes people act in not-so-great ways. It happens. The problem is when we allow ourselves be taken by surprise by it. Expect the best from people, but don’t be surprised when you see their worst. Meditate briefly on challenges you may face today and be prepared.
“The sun does not wait for prayers and incantations to be induced to rise, but immediately shines and is saluted by all: so do you also not wait for clappings of hands, and shouts and praise to be induced to do good.“ – Epictetus
How will your actions make the world a better place today? Plan one random act of kindness for the day. Help make the day great for someone else.
Stoicism can help you 24 hours a day.
But it all starts with a Stoic morning routine.
