The Miracle Morning is a self-help book by best-selling author and speaker Hal Elrod. In this book, Hal has suggested 6-step morning routine to take control of your life and make a positive difference in your personal and professional life. If you are looking to make a positive change in your daily routine, then you should definitely go for this book.
About the Author:
At the age of 20, Hal Elrod met with a terrible car accident, was hit by a drunk driver at a huge speed. For 6 minutes, he was in a state of clinical death. He was saved and shifted to hospital where he was in coma for 6 days. His parents were told by the doctors that he would have permanent brain damage and due to several broken bones, he would not walk again. But with his will power and hard work, Hal not only walked again but he went on to become an ultramarathon runner. He also achieved success in business and became international keynote speaker, best-selling author, successful coach, and a hip-hop artist, a great husband and father.
Summary
Human beings are born to grow continuously physically as well as mentally. We all have that inner strive to progress and improve. Yet only few succeed in achieving their dreams and with rest all, the life remains the same. The major difference between the successful people and ordinary people is of the morning routine. Hal Elrod writes in this book about the plus points of getting up early every morning. He says that your morning routine decides the levels of your success in various areas of your life including personal and professional. If your mornings are focused and productive, then your days also become productive and in this way your life becomes productive. On the contrary, mediocre mornings generate mediocre days and in turn mediocre life. By making change in our waking habit, we can make huge difference in our life.
Author Hal Elrod argues that each of us is capable to achieve anything in life, including health, career, happiness etc. He quotes, “Remember, the moment you accept total responsibility for everything in your life is the moment you claim the power to change anything in your life.” Hal suggests the readers to spend maximum time with positive people and successful achievers and avoid lazy and excuse-making people. Research shows that you become the average of 5 people you spend your time with. With whom you are spending time will determine your future and what you become.
As per Hal, the major cause of mediocrity is RMS (Rearview Mirror Syndrome). We equip our subconscious minds with a self-limiting rearview mirror and through which we relive our past memories and also recreate them. Because of these limitations of past, we limit our true potential. We carry stress, fear and worry from the past like old worn baggage. So, when we are offered new opportunities, we often check the rearview mirror to make assessment of our past capabilities. We remember only our failures and adversities. So, to move beyond the past we must imagine our life full of limitless possibilities.
In the end Hal suggests the Miracle Morning method where he discusses about the six morning habits that he has used to become successful in life. These habits were also seen in many other successful achievers. These six steps can be remembered as, S.A.V.E.R.S. Just by getting up 30 min or 60 min earlier you can practice these six habits of self-development.
S- Silence: Few minutes of silence everyday can help to settle the mind. Silence can be practiced by doing mediation, prayer, reflection, gratitude or deep breathing. You can do any of these practices or combine them to observe silence.
A- Affirmation: Self-talk controls most of our actions. So having positive self-talk daily will automatically combat the negative self-talk. Besides, repeating positive statements will help to develop a positive mind set in the long run.
V- Visualization: Visualization will make your belief stronger so after creating affirmation start visualizing the process of completion of your goal. The author has used this technique to complete this book. Many sportspersons, musicians, performers, actors use visualization to give the best in their competitions and events.
E- Exercise: Even a 20-minute exercise has immense benefits. Every morning, take out time for any form of exercise. It can include yoga, aerobic exercise, jumping jacks, sit ups running or gym workout.
R- Reading: Everyday read something helpful. The author says, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body and prayer is to the soul. We become the books we read. “Reading gives you better ideas, strategies and methods to move towards your goals. He advises to read at least 10 pages of a book and think about what you have read. You can also repeat any book if you want to absorb the thoughts given in it.
S- Scribing: Journaling has many benefits. Write your thoughts, ideas, plans or things you are grateful for, and you will get clarity in thinking.
Implementing the Miracle Morning
The author has given breakdown of Miracle Morning in an hour
Silence: 5minutes
Affirmation: 5 minutes
Visualization: 5 minutes
Exercise: 20 minutes
Reading: 20 minutes
Scribing: 5 minutes
For people who are extremely busy during morning hours, they can complete the steps in as only six minutes by spending one minute on each activity. For example
Minute 1: Silence
Minute 2: Read Affirmations
Minute 3: Visualize
Minute 4: Write down something that you are grateful or proud of
Minute 5: Read a page or two from a book
Minute 6: Do running in place, or doing jumping jacks, pushups or situps.
Quotes
“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.”
“Your first thought in the morning is usually the last thought you had before you went to bed.”
“There is nothing to fear, because you cannot fail—only learn, grow, and become better than you’ve ever been before.”
“Your entire life changes the day that you decide you will no longer accept mediocrity for yourself.”
“One of the saddest things in life is to get to the end and look back in regret, knowing that you could have been, done, and had so much more.”
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body and prayer is to the soul. We become the books we read.”
“Always seek people who will add value to your life and bring out the best in you. And of course, be that person for others.”