“Our levels of success will rarely exceed our level of personal development, because success is something we attract by who we become.” – Jim Rohn
Here are six timeless personal development habits, if performed every morning, will create ‘miraculous’ changes in your life:
Table of Contents
Recommendation
Life coach Hal Elrod likes to talk – so much so that he allows the retelling of his near-death experience to overshadow his central thesis: his “miracle morning.” But patient viewers willing to dig deep will garner useful tidbits for life. According to Elrod, individuals who are productive in the mornings each day will attain their goals. He describes his personal journey from adversity to success and the lessons he learned en route. Though Elrod’s tendency toward repetition adds fluff to his delivery, his core message will inspire those who strive to transform their lives.
Take-Aways
- A devastating car accident led life coach Hal Elrod to develop several coping mechanisms. He learned to accept situations he had no power to change.
- Elrod follows a “five-minute rule” whereby he allows himself to feel five minutes of negative emotion before refocusing on gratitude.
- Elrod discovered that a morning ritual is the most essential element to living the life of your dreams.
- He incorporates six powerful practices in his “miracle morning” routine: “meditation, affirmations, visualization, exercise, reading and journaling.”
- To change a habit, stick with it for 30 days. The first 10 days are “unbearable.” The second 10 days are “uncomfortable.” By the final 10 days, you’ll feel “unstoppable.”
Silence
“If you want to immediately reduce your stress levels, to begin each day with the kind of calm, clarity, and peace of mind that will allow you to stay focused on what’s most important in your life, and even dance on the edge of enlightenment—do the opposite of what most people do—start every morning with a period of purposeful Silence.” – Hal Elrod
Instead of checking your phone and seeing what’s happening in the world, check in with yourself by starting the day with a period of mindfulness. When you start the morning with either seated or walking mediation, you establish a calm and peaceful reference point for the remainder of the day. Think of your morning meditation like lighting an internal candle you use to find peace of mind during a noisy an chaotic day.
Affirmations
“It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. Once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.” – Muhammed Ali
Consider a transformation you want to make and phrase it as, “I __[your name]__ will be __[transformation]__.” Repeat your affirmation out loud with intense conviction. Affirmation forms belief; belief leads to action; action leads to progress; progress strengthens belief.
“You must expect great things from yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan
Visualizing
Be like the Olympic downhill skier who imagines going down the mountain, executing each turn perfectly. Visualize yourself executing the work you need to do today to become the person you aspire to be. When see yourself executing a task in your mind’s eye you make the task easier to execute later in the day, because visualization fires and strengthens the same neural circuits you’ll use to complete the task.
“During the months I spent writing The Miracle Morning, I would visualize myself writing with ease, enjoying the creative process, free from stress, fear, and writer’s block.” – Hal Elrod
Exercising
When you increase your heart rate with aerobic exercise, you trigger the release of neurochemicals (dopamine, norepinephrine, and BDNF), which significantly increases your ability to focus during the day. John Ratey, a researcher at Harvard Medical Schools, says, “A dose of exercise is like taking a bit of Ritalin.”
“In order for man to succeed in life, God provided him with two means, education and physical activity. Not separately, one for the soul and the other for the body, but for the two together. With these two means, man can attain perfection.” – Plato
Reading
After purposeful silence, affirmations, visualization, and exercise, your brain is hungry to learn – pick up a personal improvement book and start reading!
Whatever area of life you want to improve (relationships, health, finances, happiness), there is a book to guide you. Books are the richest source of high‐quality, curated knowledge. Skim a book every morning to find one big idea that may advance your life.
Scribing
Write (aka: “scribe”) down big ideas and brainstorm ways to use those ideas in your life. If, for example, you’re getting ready for a performance review with your boss, write out a few salary negotiation techniques from a negotiation book and plan out exactly what you will say during the salary negotiation part of your performance review.
When you write down ideas and implementation plans (“when…then…”), you dramatically increase the odds you’ll retain and act on the nuggets of wisdom you acquire.
“Focused, productive, successful mornings generate focused, productive, successful days – which inevitably create a successful life – in the same way, that unfocused, unproductive, and mediocre mornings generate unfocused, unproductive, and mediocre days, and ultimately a mediocre quality of life.” – Hal Elrod
Summary
To live the life of your dreams, you need to “win the day” every day. The best way to achieve this is to have a fruitful morning routine. Hal Elrod learned this lesson the hard way. In 1999, Elrod was involved in a devastating car accident. His doctors weren’t sure he’d ever walk again. But the news didn’t phase Elrod, who lived his life by the “five-minute rule” – that is, he permitted himself to harbor negative emotions for just five minutes. But as he couldn’t change the situation, he refused to wallow in self-pity. He chose instead to focus on the positive and be grateful for what he had. Elrod learned “the ABCs of taking life head-on.” A stands for “accept all things you can’t change.” B stands for “be grateful for everything.” All people experience positivity and negativity in their lives. Many people believe that zeroing in on the negative is a more “realistic” frame of mind, but focusing on the positive is just as realistic. C stands for “create daily progress towards becoming the person you need to be to create your vision.”
“If you want to achieve your full potential…the single most important thing that you can do is improve how you start your day.”
Elrod experienced another setback during the 2008 recession. He lost his clients and his home. He was in financial jeopardy and depressed. A friend advised him to get up early and go jogging while listening to self-help audiobooks to get blood and oxygen flowing to the brain while allowing ideas to flow. Miraculously, this advice was so beneficial that it hauled Elrod out of his slump. He began looking forward to mornings instead of dreading them, and within just two months, his life started to improve. Newly invigorated, Elrod committed to spending time on personal development. He believed that dedicating a portion of his morning to self-development would set him up to win the day. He analyzed various experts and concluded that six practices – “meditation, affirmations, visualization, exercise, reading and journaling” – can boost self-development. Elrod resolved to incorporate all six of these practices into his “miracle morning.” He began waking up earlier and accomplishing more each day.
“It’s not what you do that matters nearly as much as who you become.”
To change a habit, stick with it for 30 days. The first 10 days are “unbearable.” Many people quit at this juncture because they don’t realize that change is difficult only at first. The second 10 days are “uncomfortable.” But by the final 10 days, you feel “unstoppable.” You wake up and realize you’re not dreading what you set out to do but looking forward to it. Challenge yourself for 30 days to wake up earlier, focus on your dreams and level up.
Hal Elrod is the author of The Miracle Morning.
Review
Introduction:
“Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod is a self-help book that aims to transform readers’ lives by introducing a set of morning rituals designed to enhance productivity, personal growth, and overall well-being. Elrod presents a simple yet powerful framework that encourages readers to start their day with intention and purpose. This review will provide a comprehensive analysis of the book, highlighting its key concepts, strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact.
The book is divided into six sections, each focusing on a different aspect of the miracle morning routine:
- Silence: The author encourages readers to start their day with silence, whether through meditation, prayer, or simply taking a moment to breathe and reflect.
- Exercise: Elrod emphasizes the importance of incorporating physical activity into one’s morning routine, whether through yoga, weightlifting, or a simple stretching routine.
- Affirmations: The book provides guidance on how to use affirmations to reprogram one’s mind with positive thoughts and beliefs, helping to overcome negative self-talk and limiting beliefs.
- Reading: Elrod encourages readers to start their day with reading, whether it’s a book, article, or even a simple passage from a spiritual text.
- Visualization: The author provides techniques for visualizing one’s goals and desires, and how to use visualization to manifest them in one’s life.
- Journaling: Elrod encourages readers to take a few minutes each morning to reflect on their progress, set intentions, and journal their thoughts and feelings.
Summary:
Hal Elrod’s “Miracle Morning” centers around the idea that how you start your day significantly impacts the rest of it. He introduces the concept of the “Miracle Morning” routine, which consists of six components known as the Life S.A.V.E.R.S.: Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing. Elrod argues that implementing these practices in the morning can lead to increased focus, motivation, and success in all areas of life.
The book is based on Elrod’s personal story of overcoming a near-fatal car accident, financial hardship and depression by following six habits that he calls Life S.A.V.E.R.S. These are:
- Silence: Practicing meditation, prayer or breathing exercises to calm your mind and reduce stress.
- Affirmations: Repeating positive statements that reinforce your self-confidence and motivation.
- Visualization: Imagining your ideal day and the outcomes you want to achieve.
- Exercise: Doing some physical activity to boost your energy and health.
- Reading: Learning something new or inspiring from a book or article.
- Scribing: Writing down your thoughts, feelings, goals or gratitude in a journal.
The book begins with Elrod sharing his personal story of overcoming adversity and how the Miracle Morning routine played a pivotal role in his transformation. He then delves into explaining each of the Life S.A.V.E.R.S. in detail, providing practical tips and techniques for incorporating them into daily life. Throughout the book, Elrod emphasizes the importance of consistency and offers strategies to overcome common challenges and obstacles.
Strengths:
- Practical and Actionable: “Miracle Morning” offers a clear and actionable framework that readers can implement immediately. The book provides step-by-step instructions and examples, making it easy for readers to understand and apply the concepts in their own lives.
- Versatility: The concepts presented in the book are applicable to individuals from various backgrounds and professions. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, student, or homemaker, the Miracle Morning routine can be customized to suit your specific needs and goals.
- Positive Mindset: Elrod emphasizes the power of a positive mindset and encourages readers to cultivate gratitude, affirmation, and visualization practices. These tools can help shift one’s perspective, increase self-belief, and foster a more optimistic outlook on life.
Weaknesses:
- Lack of Depth: While the book provides an excellent introduction to the concept of morning routines, some readers might find it lacking in depth. The explanations for each Life S.A.V.E.R.S. component could benefit from more scientific research or case studies to support their effectiveness.
- Overemphasis on Success: The book primarily focuses on achieving external success and personal growth. While this can be valuable, some readers may feel that other aspects of life, such as relationships or well-being, are not adequately addressed.
Impact:
“Miracle Morning” has garnered a significant following and has been praised by many readers for its ability to transform morning routines and improve productivity. The book’s practical approach and motivational tone have resonated with individuals seeking to establish a positive and empowering start to their day.
However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of the Miracle Morning routine may vary from person to person. While the concepts and practices presented in the book have the potential to make a positive impact, readers should be open to adapting and customizing the routine based on their unique circumstances and preferences.
Target Audience:
“Miracle Morning” is targeted towards individuals who are looking to improve their lives and achieve their goals through the creation of a morning routine. The book is particularly well-suited for individuals who are looking for a comprehensive guide to creating a healthy and productive morning routine, and who are willing to commit to consistent effort and practice.
Conclusion:
“Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod offers a practical and accessible guide to transforming morning routines and enhancing personal growth. The book’s clear framework and actionable steps make it an excellent resource for individuals seeking to improve their productivity and well-being. However, readers should approach the book with an open mind, understanding that the effectiveness of the Miracle Morning routine may depend on individual circumstances and needs. Overall, “Miracle Morning” provides valuable insights and tools for establishing a purposeful and fulfilling start to each day.