Ever wonder how entrepreneurs and successful professionals alike accomplish all that they do in a day?  They start off with a solid routine that sets them up for success.  Here are six things that you should consider adding to your mornings.

1.  Don’t Hit the Snooze Button

Laying in bed after your alarm clock goes off isn’t doing anything for you.  You’re not getting adequate rest or sleep that way, and you’re wasting vital moments in the morning when you could be prepping for the day ahead.  If you need a few minutes to feel fully awake before getting out of bed, scroll through the latest headlines on your phone or tablet.

2.  Exercise Several Times a Week

Ideally, workout before you even have breakfast.  Just 20 minutes of exercise in the morning can improve blood flow to the brain, which will make your mind sharper throughout the day.  Plus, your energy levels will stay up to get you through your busy day.

morning routine by mark biddle, on Flickr.  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic License.

3.  Eat a Protein-rich Breakfast

Your body needs strength in the morning.  Try oatmeal with almonds, an egg sandwich on whole wheat bread, or yogurt with berries.  Whatever you do, never skip breakfast entirely.  This is a habit that almost all entrepreneurs like Shahram Shirkhani follow.

4.  Listen to Energizing Music

This will help you wake up and it could also help you form a positive attitude for the day.  Create a playlist that you wake up to each morning.  Not sure what to add to your playlist?  Think about the music that you listen to when working out.  This is probably the right type of music to get you on your feet and get your mind working.

5. Plan the Day Ahead

Plan the day ahead, if you haven’t already done that the night before.  Create a task list and organize your schedule.  This will help you to mentally prepare for what’s ahead.  You also won’t be bogged down by trying to remember all of the different things you have to get done.  You’ll be at peace knowing that your list is on paper somewhere, waiting for you to get started.

6.  Walk or Bike to Work if Possible

You’ll lift your mood and energize your body.  There’s nothing like getting fresh air first thing in the morning.  It will make you more ready to face the office and it’ll put you in a good mood right from the get-go.

Motivation is the key to being successful.  Start your day off the right way so that you have motivation that follows you until the sun goes down.