Inspiring Morning Routines for INTPs, ENTPs, INTJs, and ENTJs

As an Intuitive-Thinking personality type, you’re someone who craves mastery and competence in every area of your life. You seek a life filled with meaning, discovery, and understanding. Determined and driven by an inner vision of what is possible, you want to flip tradition on its head and find original, new ways to do things. How can your morning routine propel you towards your goals for life?

For most of us, mornings are about hitting the “Snooze” button as much as possible, gulping down coffee, and racing to work or the school drop-off in a frenzy of stress and exhaustion. But did you know that your morning can be something you look forward to? The tone you set in the morning can stick with you throughout the entire day and make you powerful, enthusiastic, and creative. Stop “surviving” your mornings and really start LIVING them!

Some of these ideas are healthy for anyone regardless of their personality type, but I’ve also tried to select routines and tips that will specifically benefit you based on your type.

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Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

Inspiring Morning Routines for INTPs, INTJs, ENTPs and ENTJs

Prepping for a Positive Morning (The Night Before):

Pick a quote to put on your bedside table that will get you started in the right mindset. Here are a few examples:

“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” – Albert Einstein

“On the mountains of truth you can never climb in vain: either you will reach a point higher up today, or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” – Woodrow Wilson

“Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.” – Stephen Hawking

“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that less than the one you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela

Put your quote on your bedside table and carry it with you throughout the day. Think about how that quote can seep into your work, your communication, and your leisure time.

Get Enough Sleep!

As an intuitive, you might find your mind swirling with ideas, theories, and questions as you lay in bed at night. But getting at least 7 hours of sleep per night is essential not only for your health but for your creativity and well-being the next day.

Here are some tips for getting a good sleep at night:

1 – Keep it cool. Your room should be between 60 and 67 degrees, and free from noise and light for the best sleep.

2 – Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and heavy meals in the evening. All of these things can cause discomfort at night time. Try not to eat anything for 2-3 hours before you go to sleep.

3 – Unplug. The bright screens on your phone, tablet, computers, or televisions can disrupt your ability to fall asleep quickly. Try to unplug from all technology for at least 45 minutes before you go to sleep.

4 – Stick to a sleep schedule of the same bedtime. This might take some time to really work, but this can eventually regulate your body clock and help you fall and stay asleep all night long.

Plan Your Breakfast:

As an Intuitive-Thinking type, you want a mind that is mentally clear, focused, and creative. What you eat can have an impact! Pick foods that will keep you mentally functioning at your best throughout the day. Here are some ideas:

Blueberries – These boost concentration and memory for up to five hours! They also protect against cancer, heart disease, and dementia.

Water – Water gives the brain the electrical energy for all functions, including thought and memory processes. It has been proven to help you think faster, be more focused, and be more creative.

Almonds or Hazelnuts – A 2014 study found that higher overall nut intake was linked to better brain function, especially in older age. They also are high in Vitamin E which improves cognition and reduces your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Eggs – Eggs are known to help regulate your memory and your mood! The protein will also help you to stay fuller longer throughout the day.

When You Wake Up:

Whatever your morning routine has to be, make sure that you start the day by reading your quote and drinking at least a few ounces of water. Here are some other ways to improve your routine:

Exercise: Exercise will not just make you think more clearly, but it will also help you to be healthier and scientifically happier. It also combats stress! Even if it’s only a 15-minute bike-ride, fitting in this will improve your whole day, and if you make it a habit it could improve your entire life.

Practice Gratitude: Make it a point to list five things you’re thankful for before you sit down at work. Whether you do this in the shower, while you exercise, or on your drive to work, make it a priority. The happiest people practice contentment and gratefulness regularly.

Think About Dying: At first glance, this sounds depressing, but bear with me. Imagine this is your last day on earth. Would you still do what you’re doing right now? What can you do today that will make this a day worth remembering on your death bed?

Do Your Hardest Task First: Many people think more clearly in the morning than at any other time in the day (if they got enough sleep anyway!). Accomplishing your hardest task first thing can lift a weight off your shoulders and make you more optimistic throughout the rest of the day. It also tends to go faster in the morning when you’re mentally at your best!

Meditate or Pray: Spending 15-30 minutes per day meditating can help you to clear your mind, lower your blood pressure, improve your mood and your brain functions, and improve your immune system.

Map Out Your Day: Set a clear strategy for your day. What do you want to have accomplished at the day’s end? Make your to-do list and make it reasonable. If you find yourself running out of time you can do this on your way to work.

Connect with the People You Care About: It can be easy in the hustle and bustle of the morning to barely acknowledge your partner or children. When you grab your coffee or your breakfast try to keep your phone in your pocket so you can stay tuned in to the people you care about. Give extra long hugs, ask your kids a puzzling riddle, or simply listen to them. If you don’t have a family at home then send a text to a friend or loved one wishing them a good day!

On the Drive to Work:

Don’t waste your morning commute! Here are some ways to maximize this time:

• If you commute on a bus or train, bring a book you’ve been wanting to read and conquer a few chapters.
• List the things that you are thankful for.
• Listen to a podcast that will teach you or challenge you.
• Listen to an audiobook.
• Use voice-to-text to write your to-do list for the day.
• Learn a language by using an app or a CD set.
• Cultivate compassion. The happiest people in the world live meaningful, generous lives. How can you show compassion today? Pick one thing to do that will improve this area of your life.
• This morning is the first part of the rest of your life. What can you do today to propel you towards your goals? Can you start something today that you’ll be glad you did a year from now?
• Practice deep breathing and clearing your mind

Personality Type-Specific Advice:

Think about these things while you exercise, drive to work, shower, or prepare your breakfast.

ENTPs

You are all about innovating, transforming, and generating possibilities. How can you do that this morning? Look at your patterns of behavior when you wake up in the morning. Are there any new practices you could implement or routines you could alter to energize yourself more fully? Think about something you’ve always wished for. Picture it in your mind. Now consider how you could make that possible. Write down any strategies that you think of or use voice-to-text to make note of it if you’re driving.

As an ENTP you are a master of seeing patterns, possibilities, and unusual connections and relationships. You’re also concerned with truth, accuracy, and logical consistency. Throughout your day today try to zone in on what’s true, consistent, and meaningful for you. It can be easy to jump from idea to idea or leave projects unfinished, but when you structure your priorities based on what’s logical you’ll be happier in the long run.

Also, remember your blind spots. As an ENTP you give priority to generating ideas, brainstorming, and doing things in new ways. Don’t forget to take care of the mundane details that are very tempting to dismiss! Floss your teeth, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, pay a few bills. These menial tasks are dull and don’t feel especially important, but they can make you happier (and healthier) in the long run!

Read This Next: 10 Things You Should Never Say to an ENTP

INTPs

You’re an independent problem-solver who excels at asking the tough questions and analyzing ideas and situations beyond the immediate moment. You’re not afraid to challenge others or even yourself to make sure you are being logically consistent and thinking outside-the-box. How can you use that skill to amp up the value of your day? Look for someone who needs help with a tricky problem and ask if they could use a hand. Add to your knowledge base by taking a class or listening to a podcast. Solve a brain-teaser or a strategy game that exercises your thinking abilities.

As an INTP you’re highly skilled at sorting out data to find out what’s accurate and how it connects to every other piece of data in your mind. You’re also stimulated by new possibilities, theories, and connections in the outside world. Getting out into the world and interacting with people and immersing yourself in experiences can help to stimulate your intuition and generate imaginative possibilities in your mind.

It’s also important not to forget your weaknesses (we all have them!) As an INTP you give priority to logic, conceptual thinking, and consistency. But don’t forget to take care of the relationships in your life. Send a text to someone you care about and ask them how their day is going. Look around you and see if there’s a way you can make someone’s day easier.  Before you say something, pause and think about the emotional impact it might have on the person you are speaking with.

Read This Next: 3 Weird and Wonderful Secrets of the INTP Personality Type

ENTJs

You have a skill for conceptualizing and translating possibilities into achievable plans. Your visionary mindset gives you the potential to make huge leaps in understanding or in your professional life. Make the most of your abilities by looking at your life goals. Which goals will mean the most to you at the end of your life? Which will impact people in a positive way? How can you break that goal down into bite-sized steps? How can you start moving towards that objective today?

But let’s not entirely focus on your production capabilities. You’re also some with vision and insight. You love delving into matters of philosophy and forecasting future implications and possibilities. Take time to get away from the commotion of daily life and silence your mind. Allowing yourself to be immersed in stillness can help you to get new perspectives and insights that you might otherwise have missed. What symbols, ideas, and images come to you when you let your mind just wander without trying to control it?

It’s also important to keep your blind spots in mind. You’re someone who values hard work and effectiveness so you often ignore matters of health and emotion. Have you gotten enough sleep? Do you need to prioritize exercise more? When you have a critique that pops into your head, pause and consider how you could frame that critique in a positive way. As Isaac Newton said, “Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.”

Read This Next: 10 Things You’ll Relate to if You’re an ENTJ

INTJs

You’re not only someone with a clear vision of future possibilities, you’re also someone with the drive and strategic know-how to implement your ideas. You love a complex challenge and hold yourself to high standards when it comes to competence, knowledge, and efficiency. Take some time today to tune into your intuition and see what it shows you. Turn off the noise of the outside world and embrace solitude and silence. Drive without a destination, sit in a quiet room and meditate, listen to music and let your mind wander. What insights, visions, and possibilities pass over your consciousness? Write them down (or draw them!).

Besides your intuition, you also have a strong thinking side. Many people admire your ability to strategically map out your life and where you want to be, not only today but in the future. Harness this ability today. Identify any areas in your life that are making you inefficient. What are your life priorities? At the end of your life, what will really have mattered? Think of what you want your long-term goals to be. Once you’ve looked at those, break them down into a sequential format. Make sure these goals are in-line with your values.

It’s also important to keep your natural weaknesses in mind (we all have them!). It can be so easy to focus entirely on the future, your plans, and what you want to achieve, that you zone out of the moment in front of you. Take some time each day, especially when you’re around loved ones, to focus entirely on the present moment. Actively listen when people speak to you. Take a walk in nature and savor the sights, smells, and textures around you. Do something for fun just for the sake of it!

Read This Next: 3 Weird and Wonderful Secrets About the INTJ

What Are Your Thoughts?

Find out more about your personality type in our eBooks, The INTJ – Understanding the Strategist, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type,  The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. You can also connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!