Summary: This is the fourth article in the six-part <a title="Mornings 101" href="https://www.jeffsanders.com/tag/mornings-101/" target="_blank">Mornings 101 series</a> that focuses on how to implement the most effective strategies for dominating your day before breakfast.<br> The best morning routines begin the night before. If you want to wake up early and literally <a href="https://www.jeffsanders.com/mornings-101-how-to-bounce-out-of-bed-with-enthusiasm/" target="_blank">bounce out of bed with enthusiasm</a> tomorrow morning, then you want to make sure you end today in the best way possible.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="https://www.jeffsanders.com/your-one-thing-that-matters-most-an-interview-with-jay-papasan-podcast-107/">← Previous Episode</a><br> <a href="https://www.jeffsanders.com/forty-thousand-words-later-my-complete-book-writing-process-podcast-108/">Next Episode →</a><br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="https://www.jeffsanders.com/mornings-101-how-to-create-your-ideal-evening-routine/"></a>Photo Credit: <a style="color: #808080;" href="https://pixabay.com/en/meadow-grasses-sunset-nature-811339/" target="_blank">Pixabay</a><br> I have a terrible habit of staying up late for no good reason and I waste more time in the last few hours before bed than at any other time of the day.<br> For me, a solid evening routine is not a fluffy addition to my daily productivity, it is an essential ingredient that protects me from myself.<br> How to Create Your Ideal Evening Routine<br> The first step to waking up early is going to bed early, and with a solid system in place each night you can guarantee better sleep and a more effective beginning to the following day.<br> 1. Make a Big List<br> Start by listing all of the activities that you ideally would like to complete each evening. Keep in mind that the evening routine tends to much more flexible than the morning routine as schedules are likely to evolve more dramatically as the day progresses.<br> This means that you may not have strict time requirements for each activity and what you do each evening could vary considerably from day-to-day. The key is to identify what core habits are essential for you to end your day effectively and repeat those habits with increasing consistency.<br> 9 Potential Habits to Include in Your Evening Routine<br> <br> * Review your tasks for the following day in your calendar and <a href="https://www.jeffsanders.com/113-why-you-should-be-using-nozbe-for-task-management-podcast/" target="_blank">task manager</a>.<br> * Implement <a href="https://www.jeffsanders.com/040-equilibrium-zero-cut-clutter-every-area-life-podcast/" target="_blank">Equilibrium Zero</a> by putting everything away, including all work-related materials and personal stuff around your house.<br> * Set your alarms for the following day (I use multiple alarms to guarantee I get up).<br> * Turn off any bright visual screens (computers, phones, tablets, etc.) around one hour before bedtime.<br> * Practice yoga, stretch, <a href="https://www.jeffsanders.com/inversion-improve-your-health-and-productivity-by-hanging-upside-down/" target="_blank">invert</a>, and prepare your body physically for sleep.<br> * If you shower at night like I do, be sure to record that as well.<br> * Read or listen to fiction to allow your mind to transition into more a care-free state.<br> * Meditate on gratitude, pray, or think about how much great work you were able to accomplish today. Keep these thoughts positive and focused on your successes so you fall asleep free of stress and anxiety.<br> * Create an ideal sleeping environment to fall asleep faster and easier (cooler temperatures, dark room, comfortable bed, etc.).<br> <br> 2. Set Your Boundary<br> Without a solid evening boundary it’s likely you will stay up later than you intend, which will lead to a lack of sleep or sleeping past your alarm.
