Everyone has different morning routines. Below is my routine which I constantly adapt and improve. I want to emphasize that this is my routine and not the routine as yours should be fit for your specific purposes and goals.

My alarm goes off at 4:45AM. Some days are harder than others, but I am pretty consistent with getting up at that time. Some days I get up earlier and some a bit later. Yes, it’s painful to get up early, but for me it’s about reaffirming my identity as someone who has a high degree of self-discipline and can do hard things. I urge you to get up whatever time works for you. If you have young kids like me, you’ll appreciate the distraction-free time of getting up before they do. Rising early also builds momentum for the day and sets an example of discipline and leadership for my kids. When I am feeling lazy, I listen to Jocko Willinck’s famous “I don’t care how it feels” video, get up and as Jocko says “GET AFTER IT”!

My morning routine is made up of the following.

1. Recite my morning mindset mantra. My mantra is made up of highly personal positive affirmations, quotes from personal development gurus and my own prayers that I have created over the years. This takes me 3-5 minutes and gets me in the right mental state for the day. This is also like breathing to me. I have been doing this for decades and I cannot go a morning without it. I say my mantra mostly in my head and some parts out loud (I will share it in a separate post in the future). You should create a mantra that works for you that puts you in a positive mental state for the day. The reason for establishing a morning mindset mantra is simple - if you don’t control the voices in your head (you know - the voices of doubt, anxiety and fear), they will control you. Taking control of your mind is critical.

2. Drink 1/3 gallon of water (I do this as I am saying my mantra in the bathroom before I go downstairs. I make sure I have my water bottle full and waiting for me right when I wake up).

3. I head downstairs and journal for no more than 5 minutes. When I journal I focus on the following:

   • Reflect on yesterday - what was my win? what brought me joy? what did I learn?

   • Awareness - how do I feel?

   • Adjustments - what adjustments can I make?

   • Intentions… what am I going to achieve today? Typically I will write my non-negotiables which are my morning routine, writing/creating, revenue generating activities (RGAs), family time, 1:1 time with my wife and reading.

   • I’m praying for… for example, I will write that I am praying for the health of my loves ones and something I am trying to improve on such as avoiding distractions and maintaining focus

   • I’m grateful for… for me family, friends, health, my career

   • Affirmations, I am… here I feel the feelings of already having my goals and dreams and write them down

   • Visualize, I see… massive health, wealth, peace, love, joy, abundance and fulfillment

4. By 5:30-6:00AM, I put myself through an intense physical workout for 60-90 minutes. For me this is intense weight training. I do it as much for the mental benefits as the physical. (I will share my training routine in a future post). I dislike the act of working out, but am absolutely addicted and obsessed with the feeling I have once the workout is done for the day. I have found there is no greater impact to my self-confidence than working out. I will write about the mental benefits in a future article. For now, check out this awesome article https://www.oldtimestrongman.com/articles/the-iron-by-henry-rollins/

5. I wrap up my workout by 7am and then will drive my oldest to school.

6. The most important element of my day is spending quality time with my family. Depending on the season, if they are in school or not, the amount of time varies that I spend with them in the morning. It could be 30 minutes or 5 minutes, but I make sure I am present for my family every morning. They always come 1st.

7. Once the kids are off to school at about 8am, I’ll work on my hardest activity of the day. For me this is typically writing & creating content. I aim to knock out 2 pomodoros (25 minute intervals of distraction-free work). Or it could be my hardest revenue-generating activity for the day and then I will get my writing done later on. I keep it flexible.

To summarize:

• Mindset mantra and hydrate (10 minutes)

• Journal (5 minutes)

• Weight training (60-90 minutes)

• Family time (5-30 minutes)

• Hardest work 1st (2 pomodoros - 55 minutes)

Each habit fills me up spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally and serves as the foundation for me to do my best and win each and every day.

That’s it. It sounds like a lot, but it really isn’t. The key is to keep it simple and keep it flexible.

If you need help with establishing a morning routine, hit me up.