This week we’re talking about maximizing your morning — the things you do to start your day set the pace for the day ahead.

Whether you’re a morning person or not, how you tackle those first few hours of the day makes all the difference. Lounging around, although tempting, sets the speed for an unproductive afternoon. Try testing out these simple yet effective ways to start the day on a positive note in order to get more things done and find a healthier headspace.

Make your bed

Yes, it’s tedious and sometimes tempting to be lazy. But by starting the day completing a simple task, you’re subconsciously setting yourself up to have a day full of accomplishments and boxes checked off your to-do list. In his amazing 2014 commencement speech at the University of Texas, Admiral William H. McRaven tells a mesmerizing story about his journey as a Navy SEAL and how each morning started with making your bed reinforces the fact that the little things in life matter.

Drink water

Before you dive headfirst into breakfast and coffee, finish a glass of water. It flushes the stomach, balances the lymphatic system, and rehydrates the body to help wake us up for the day ahead. While it seems like a simple solution, water has so many benefits from weight loss and skin health to mood boosters and better mental performance.

Set intentions

Right when you wake up before you check your texts or scroll through social, take 2–3 minutes to make a game plan for the day, get your head on straight, and start the morning strong. By setting a daily intention each morning, you’re more likely to keep those goals top of mind throughout the day. After a night of repair and recuperation, your brain has a clean slate, ready and refreshed to take on new intentions.

If a long to-do list is getting in the way of your bigger goals, try tasking Alfred with a few of those tedious chores and make time for what matters.