3 Habits to Start Your Senior Year

So that you are more successful and feel less stressed

A mentor of mine recently sent a book to me called Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret to Transform Your Life (Before 8am). 

I wish I would have read this book in high school and implemented its strategies. It would have revolutionized my high school and college career. Ever since reading this book, I've been following the routine it suggests. I FINALLY feel like I have the time to get the things I want done in the day: quiet times, prayer, and exercise just to name a few.

These habits are truly life changing. I've talked to several of my senior clients and they all mention the same things: they are too busy, too stressed, and don't have time to do the things they really enjoy. Implement the following 3 habits to feel less stressed and more successful:

#1. Determine your version of Miracle Morning

I say your version because there are a few variations to the Miracle Morning. It includes meditation, and I believe that prayer and meditating on God's Word is healthy, life-giving, and stress relieving. 

I, the mom of two littles, have to be prepared to adjust my schedule at the drop of a hat. I have decided to rearrange my Miracle Morning so that I work out in the afternoons after my littles' naps so that they can get out some energy before dinner. 

What's included in a Miracle Morning? Goodness!! Guys. Just do it. It encourages you to wake up early. Like crazy early. Then you follow the SAVERS outline:

  • Silence (when I pray and take a moment to enjoy the calm before the rush of the day)

  • Affirmations (I'm working Scripture into mine)

  • Visualize (Oprah does this so it has to work, right?!?)

  • Exercise (I've moved this to the afternoons - the author may or may not agree with my personal decision on this)

  • Read (I read a devo & a business or self-help book)

  • Scribe (uhm, that's just journaling) 

Following this plan: waking up early, following the SAVERS, and giving myself some time to work before anyone else in my house wakes, has allowed me to get SO much work done. My work has even improved. I wish I would have done this in high school and college. Rather than staying up late to fall asleep over calculus, I could have woken up early to solve the math problems that confused me. 

The book is less than $20 and it revolutionized my days. I encourage you to read it and incorporate the Miracle Morning into your life!

#2. Sleep

Make it a habit to get enough sleep. Set a timer on your phone- I have a bedtime alarm that I've set on my phone. Since setting that alarm, I am much more consistent on getting to bed on time. The alarm and knowing that I'm getting up at 4:45 (my personal time of choice for the Miracle Morning) has really helped me to get the amount of sleep that I need. 

You as a high school and soon-to-be college student have to get enough sleep. You'll be using a lot of brain power to study and learn. If you aren't well rested, you won't do as well as you could. 

#3. Eat Right

I recently watched a GMA Episode to kick off 2018 (start the video at 6:15). The top 3 tips? Good sleep, good exercise, and good nutrition. Before graduating and moving out of your home, learn how to eat well. Learn how to eat a nutritious diet. What you fuel your body with is how you will operate, You won't have enough energy to learn, exercise, or function if you don't eat well. 

Incorporate these 3 habits into your life to reduce stress and to help you feel more successful. 

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