Imagine waking up every day feeling energized, motivated, and ready to take on your day with an action plan that tells you what to do and when. One of the common traits of many high achievers is that they all have proven morning routines to get the most out of the first part of their day. Hal Elrod, Author of The Miracle Morning and IMS educator, combines many of these best practices within his simple yet powerful morning routine framework.
It revolves around 6 practices collectively known as SAVERS: Silence, Affirmation, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing. So, whether you’re looking to elevate your career or increase your overall level of happiness, these practices can help you transform yourself into the best version of yourself.
1 – SILENCE
Begin your day with intentional moments of silence, whether through meditation, prayer, or practicing gratitude. The ultimate goal is to get better at being fully present in each moment thereby improving your focus and attention.
Pro tip: One powerful practice Hal recommends is emotional optimization meditation, in which you identify your ideal emotional state and fill your mind with thoughts, images and affirmations that support that idealized state you want to experience.
2 – AFFIRMATIONS
Affirmations are more than simple self-talk—they’re a powerful tool for intentionally shaping your mindset. By affirming your commitments, you strengthen the habits needed to achieve your goals. If you don’t purposefully and deliberately choose your inner dialogue, you will likely fall victim to your fears and insecurities.
Pro tip: Hal Elrod recommends affirming what you are committed to, why it is important to you, and which actions you will take and when. For example, if I am committed to X, provide the reason and describe the necessary actions to take.
3 – VISUALIZATION
Visualization, also called mental rehearsal, is the practice of picturing your ideal outcome. For instance, if you’re training for a marathon, picture yourself crossing the finish line, filled with triumph. But be careful not just to visualize the final goal but also the activities that will get you to that goal. And make sure to visualize things in as much detail as possible with as many senses as possible.
Pro tip: Make sure to also focus on the emotions of that ideal outcome since doing so will place you in the right mental and emotional state to take action today.
4 – EXERCISE
The benefits of exercising in the morning are numerous. It jumpstarts your energy, improves your focus, and sets a productive tone for the entire day. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy workout. Stretching, yoga, or even a quick jog can circulate oxygen and blood flow, waking up both your body and mind.
Pro tip: Exercising on an empty stomach has been shown to burn more body fat than exercising after a meal.
5 – READING
Devote 10 minutes in the morning to reading nonfiction or personal development books. Approach your reading with intention—reflect on how the lessons can be applied to your life, and revisit key concepts to deepen your understanding and mastery.
Pro tip: You can achieve anything more quickly by modeling someone who has already achieved it.
6 – SCRIBING
Journaling, often referred to as “scribing,” is a powerful tool for gaining clarity and fostering self-reflection. By writing you can better understand your journey and monitor your progress as you place your thoughts, goals, and lessons onto paper.
Pro tip: Gratitude journaling, in particular, can transform your mindset, helping you focus on the positive and appreciate the brighter aspects of life.
The power of The Miracle Morning lies in its flexibility. Whether you dedicate just six minutes or a full hour, the practice fits seamlessly into any schedule. Not a morning person? You’re in good company. According to Hal Elrod, most Miracle Morning practitioners weren’t either—at first. Yet, they soon realized that beginning their day with purpose and incorporating these six transformative habits didn’t just improve their mornings; it revolutionized their entire lives.
For more insights, check out my interviews with Hal Elrod; ABCs of a Miracle Life: Unleashing the Power Within and The Miracle Day: Morning and Evening Rituals to Transform Your Life. You may also want to look at my articles on Breaking Free of the Busyness Trap and Becoming 2.5X More Productive.
Be sure not to miss the The Institute for Management Studies program with Hal Elrod on March 6, 2025.
ABOUT CHARLES GOOD
Charles Good is the president of The Institute for Management Studies, which provides transformational learning experiences that drive behavioral change and develop exceptional leaders. Charles is an innovative and resourceful leader who specializes in bringing people together to develop creative organizational and talent strategies that enable business results. His areas of expertise include assessing organizational skill gaps and leading the design, creation and delivery of high impact, innovative learning solutions that achieve business goals. Mr. Good is also the host of the Good Leadership podcast.