Francesca and I just returned home from an amazing six-week vacation. We visited with family and friends, old and new, fly fished, bird watched, and even traveled down the Shannon River, but I would have to say this vacation was all about golf or more precisely GOLF. From our first round in Sunningdale, England, to our last one in Ireland at the Old Head Golf Links, we conquered 37 rounds on 37 different courses. My mind is still spinning on how we did it. I suppose it was a combination of some of the best caddies in the game, a little luck, and one morning routine that I would never leave home without.

People often ask me where I get my energy. Of course, I give full credit to healthy living. I exercise regularly. I eat a Mediterranean-type diet (Francesca is Italian and an incredible cook). I eat my Nutrilite supplements. I’m also a firm believer that how you start your morning not only sets the tone for the rest of your day, but it is one of the most overlooked and underappreciated habits for success.

Morning habits for a lifetime of success

Getting into a good morning routine takes work, but the dividends are worth it. If you don’t already have one, there’s no better time to start than now. To me, early morning is a golden time. In its calmness, you can turn inward, be grateful, and thoughtfully prepare for a full day. In many ways, a good morning routine gives you a jump on the rest of the world.

Here are a few of my early morning habits that may inspire you to create your own morning routine:

I wake up to Pilates

I’ve been practicing Pilates for about 10 years. For a typical 45-minute morning routine, I’ll do 30 to 40 different movements to work all major muscle groups, the standard stuff like 10 sit-ups in a row.  Pilates not only gets me out of bed, but it helps me stay flexible so I can enjoy the things that I love … like 37 back-to-back rounds of golf! Pilates wakes up my entire body, clears my mind, gets the blood flowing and even helps keep me regular. I can’t think of a better way to start the day.

I eat a good breakfast

A good breakfast keeps you mentally and physically alert so you can focus on what’s important. I like a simple, easy, no fuss breakfast that can fuel my morning. Since I’m up early, I plan breakfast the night before. To ensure I’m getting enough protein, I rely on Nutrilite Protein powder that I’ll either add in a smoothie with milk or juice, berries or other chopped fruit, or sprinkle over steel-cut oatmeal or whole grain waffles.

I learn during my morning commute

Since I spend about 30-45 minutes commuting to work, I use this time to learn, perhaps listen to a podcast or an audio book. I love to read and learn, and this habit provides a great opportunity to learn something new every day.

More morning habits for success

Here are a few other morning habits that may take you from good to great:

Make routine decisions second nature

You may have noticed that the late Steve Jobs, former U.S. President Barack Obama and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg are known for frequently wearing the same thing, day in and day out. For Jobs, it was a black turtleneck and jeans; for President Obama, a gray or blue suit; and for Zuckerberg, a gray T-shirt. You only have a certain amount of energy, use it wisely.

Tackle the tough stuff first

Most people tend to be more productive first thing in the morning. When you are able to check a tough item off your to-do list, it gives you a sense of satisfaction that stays with you throughout the day. I think Mark Twain said it best: “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”

Write a “to do” list at the end of the day

Although not a morning habit, this may make your mornings more productive. Why? Writing a list before bedtime may help you sleep. It can offload worries about unfinished tasks to help you feel less anxious and more relaxed.

If you want your day to end with success, start it with a great morning routine.

Good luck. I’ll be cheering you on!