Here’s an overview of how I’ve implemented The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod into my life and the tools I’ve used to help me succeed.
Have you all heard of The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod? I first learned about this book when I began Bullet Journaling last year, but it took me this long to get on board, read the book and actually implement what I’ve learned.
About The Miracle Morning Based on the premise that how you start your day largely determines the quality of your day, your work, and your life, The Miracle Morning gives you the ultimate morning ritual and teaches night owls how to beat the snooze button, even if you’ve never been a morning person.
I’ve only been practicing The Miracle Morning for a few weeks now, so I’m no expert, but it really has been transformative for me. I’ve always been somewhat of a morning person, and have known for years that when I wake up before my kids, get ready and have some time to myself, my day is considerably better than when our morning routines coincide.
Over the past few weeks I’ve discovered some tools that have really helped me to succeed with my Miracle Mornings. I thought I’d share those tools with you, so if you try it, you’ll have an upper hand from the get go. But first, let me tell you what my personal Miracle Morning looks like:
Hal’s system is based on something called S.A.V.E.R.S (Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, Scribing/Journaling). I get up way early because I want to have my SAVERS done and be showered and mostly ready for the day by the time my kids start getting up at 6:15am. It’s early, but very doable if I remember to go to bed by 9 or 9:30pm. (Update 2018 – I have sense changed this to 5:30, because my kids need me less in the morning!)
- 4:15am Alarm goes off and I eagerly hop out of bed, brush my teeth, wash my face, etc.
- 4:20am Prep for the morning…start my essential oil diffuser, get my books and pens ready and make tea
- 4:25am Begin Miracle Morning with silence. I do guided meditation instead of silence.
- 4:37am Affirmations – I do this for a couple of minutes. It’s still really strange and uncomfortable to me, but I’m getting better at it.
- 4:40am Visualization – I’ve always been a huge believer in visualization and the law of attraction. During this time I go over my vision board, add anything to it I want to add, and spend some time sending out positive thoughts to the universe.
- 4:45pm Reading – I’ve always been hesitant to read self help books, but since doing The Miracle Morning, I’ve been plowing through personal and professional development books like crazy. Besides The Miracle Morning, I’ve recently read The Power of Habit, Big Magic, Write it Down Make it Happen, and Love Warrior. I’m only reading self help books during my SAVERS reading time – I’ll save the fiction for other parts of the day. (I’ll write a separate recommendation/review post regarding these books). (I sometimes go over the ten minutes and have to force myself to stop reading!)
- 4:55am Scribing/Journaling/Writing – During this time I update my bullet journal, write a list of things I’m grateful for, and then do free writing in a journal, usually with a writing prompt. I’m getting a lot of ideas from the book 642 Things to Write About. This is all about pen to paper time…no computers.
- 5:10am Exercise – This usually includes time on the treadmill or doing one of my yoga workouts. Nothing super strenuous, but just something to get my blood flowing.
- 5:30am Complete my Miracle Morning, shower and get ready for the day feeling awake, alive and grateful!
Now I thought I’d share a couple of the tools that have helped me to succeed so far with my Miracle Morning.
Tools Helping Me Succeed with The Miracle Morning
The Phillips Wake Up Light – this is the best “alarm” clock I’ve ever used. Basically, the Phillips Wake Up Light wakes you up with a soft light that simulates the sunrise. I was skeptical it would wake me up, but it not only wakes me up, it does so peacefully. I hate being jarred awake by a buzzer or waking up to a song I get sick of after awhile. The Phillips Wake Up Light is a gentle way to wake up, perfect for your Miracle Morning!
The Calm App – This is the app I use for guided meditation and I absolutely LOVE it. I loved it so much I went ahead and purchased a subscription for a year (It has a free introductory version, but then a more advanced version is a small fee). If you struggle with meditation like I do, give The Calm App a try. You’ll love it!
30/30 App – This app is the perfect task manager for The Miracle Morning (and other things as well). I’ve written about the 30/30 App before and how I use it for work, but I absolutely love how useful it is in keeping me distraction free and on task during my miracle morning. The best thing, it’s free!
My Bullet Journal – My bullet journal and the Leuchtturm notebook continues to be my absolute favorite planner/journal/way to keep my thoughts in order tool! You can find my post about Bullet Journaling, including a video walk through, on this blog post from earlier this year.
And finally, I would know half of what I know about The Miracle Morning without actually reading Hal Elrod’s book. I highly recommend reading it if you are interested in transforming your life by making mornings your most productive time.
OK friends, that’s it for day 2 of NaBloPoMo! Please, if you have any questions about the tools I use during my Miracle Morning or questions about the thoughts behind it at all, let me know. I’m happy to answer whatever questions you might have. Thanks for reading!
I’ve tried the Miracle Morning. I abandoned it after six weeks or so. It just got too long and it wasn’t sustainable for me. Oh, but I do so admire your sticking with things like this. I wish I was more like that! I do love my Morning Pages though and find that they really serve as a lot of the SAVERS points on their own. And love my essential oil diffuser too! Oh, a great book that I found as a result of Miracle Morning is Eat That Frog! Love that one!
And love YOU!
There are pieces that I can imagine dropping or modifying more as I get more adjusted to the routine. Like the affirmations… I feel like I could be doing something more creative or meaningful with that time. I’d like to extend the meditation time and push out the affirmations, honestly.
I’ve been meaning to read this book for ever! You totally convinced me to start now. Also, I need this light! Thank you for the recommendation! I love early mornings and totally agree – they set the mood for the day. My Hubby and I try to go for a quick run or walk as soon as our oldest is up. I love it!
P:S: You mentioned you have tea in the morning. Did you quit coffee?
OK so don’t get sticker shock by the light…it’s pricey but I think worth it, honestly. Also heck no I didn’t quit coffee 🙂 I have tea first, then one cup of coffee after the kids get up to get my through the crazy part of the morning 🙂
I wake every morning at 5:30am and take the first hour to wash up, heat up some healing broth, and do some light meditation before starting my work day around 6:30am. I also light palo santo sticks to cleanse and energize my house. I’ve always said I need time to be just Jennie before I can be a wife or mommy for the day. Good luck on your journey. xo
I agree so much. When I get up at the same time as the kids, my whole day is upside down. Having me time before they get up is key to a successful day for me!
There is a Miracle Mornings for writers that I’ve been reading lately. So good!
So I’ve seen some of his other versions of the books but just thought it was maybe a twist on the original book. If you love the writers one, I’ll definitely take a look at it! Thank you!
Oh boy, I am a night owl and am up till 11:30 or later every night. In the summer when it is nce I really enjoy getting up by 7:30 or so. My hubby sleeps later. We are both retired so don’t have to be anywhere in the mornings, usually. I like this idea though and want to check out this book. Thanks for the recommendation!
OK this is seriously impressive!! My whole problem is that I find it impossible to make myself go to sleep before 11! Even that’s a big deal for me and I consider it a win if I am sleeping before midnight. I already get up at 5:15, but am immediately go go go trying to get out the door. I know it’s not a great way to start my day. I’m not sure if reading this book would help me change my ways or just make me feel even guiltier 🙂 I have been wanting to try one of those wake up lights… But I think I need a “go to sleep!” light, too 🙂
Wow! Looks like a great routine. Early mornings are the best times to plan your day and your visualization seems so perfect. I would like to do this too. though I feel it will be difficult the first few days to get up this early.
#NaBloPo
Menaka Bharathi has recently published http://simpleindianmom.in/gratitude-list-carve-childs-future-list/
Wow! You go girl! The thought of getting up at 4 something makes me want to gouge my eyes out LOL but if it works for you fantastic!! I’m lucky to rise and shine when my alarm goes off at 5:50!!!
Wow! I can’t imagine getting up that early, but I agree, it really is dependent on when you get to sleep. My husband has to get up around that time every morning for work – and I feel for him! I love the idea of creating a really positive, reflective time in the morning though. I’ve always noticed that I’m way more productive at that time of the day – my energy and motivation for work depletes as the day goes on. I just have to figure out too incorporate a dog walk in at the same time, and then I would be golden 🙂
Also, so intrigued by that light alarm! Thanks for all the tips and resources Kristen! I love these types of posts.
HI Kristen,
I read Miracle Morning few weeks and loved the simplicity of S.A.V.E.R.S concept. I am yet to put it in practice though. I am just waiting for a proper schedule to fall in place, which should be sometime beginning next year. Loved the post and the tons of info you shared. I am reading about bullet journalling everywhere and so eager to give it a try.
Bookmarking this post to refer when I start my Miracle Morning. 🙂
For years everyone I know has lovingly given me a hard time for being an extreme morning owl. And I just calmly smile and always say “maybe you should try it.” I get so relaxed even reading your morning schedule! Nothing can be the calm, still, silent moments which frame the day to come, and it’s literally the best time of day for me. I’m getting those apps now, btw!
Oops, nothing CAN BEAT I meant to say…
I am dying to do this, but I feel like I’m so exhausted ALL.THE.TIME I couldn’t keep it up. Any tips for first getting started? And do you hit a wall mid-afternoon?
An (and I think even better) alternative to the alarm light is to get a smart light bulb system, I have Phillips Hue but there are lots of other options. It works not only to fade on to an alarm in the morning but you can choose to set up more than one light to fade on, fade out in the evening, turn on/off when arriving and leaving and dim any time – I have them in all my rooms!
I am loving my miracle mornings! I too struggle with affirmations , its so new to me!
I just finished reading The Miracle Morning last Sunday and started the morning routine the day after. I’m loving and will certainly adjust some parts of it, but I think it’s very important to wake up before the rest of the family and have some time for you even before the time to go work.
I’m waking up at 4:30 am, giving 30 min to the Miracle Morning S.A.V.E.R.S and one more hour to work on a side project I have. At 6:30 I go to my full time job.
Genilton
Brazil