Recently my mornings have been rushed. Times have been stressful, but that's not unique in this day and age. I've tried to emulate the routine of people online, read the books, and none of it stuck. This morning I did something different.
Books like Robin Sharma’s The 5AM Club and James Clear’s Atomic Habits gave me the framework. But a framework only becomes real when you actually live it. This is what living it looks like for me.
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Before the Routine
My mornings were a bit of a rush. 5:30am Alarm goes off, get something in my body for a pre-workout. Usually something with caffeine and carbohydrates. Start my workout at 6am, stress about having enough time to make / eat breakfast, shower, get the dog out, drive to work. This was exhausting and I haven't even started my work day yet. This is clearly not working.
My Best Morning
Today, I took a step back. My alarm went off at 5:30am. No problem here. Out of bed, had some water and contemplated my morning. I decided that today, I'm going to ease into my day. I sat for a few moments with my partner. By 6am I decided to make a coffee, and spend a little time outside.
This time of year is a mix of great weather, and the miserable. Homer Simpson put it best: “Lousy Smarch Weather.”. I put on my baseball cap - It is opening day after all - put on my coat and slipped on my boots. Standing on my front step, sipping my morning coffee in the cold, I noticed the silence. Most people are still in their beds, aside from my neighbor getting his kids ready for a morning sporting practice. I remembered something I hadn't thought of in a very long time, my very best morning ever.
The Wake Up
In my best ever morning, I wake up in Hawai'i. Kailua-Kona to be exact. I arrived the night before, in the cover of darkness. My first time on the Big Island, I didn't know what to expect or what the landscape looked like.
My partner opened the window coverings to reveal a sunny day, and an absolutely stunning view of Hualalai Volcano. The sun was just starting to peek over the summit. This is something i'll never forget.
Coffee & Reflection
Upon waking, it was decided to seek out a legendary cup of Kona Coffee. Luckily, directly across the road was a small cafe. Coffee in hand we walked to the beach just a the sun peaked over the summit of Hualalai.
This is a location that it is quite easy to get lost in its beauty. Even on a rainy morning, it's not a problem to get lost in the sound of waves gently (or not so gently) crashing on the lava rock beach. The tropical bird calls, and the fresh, ocean air. In these moments it's easy to learn what is really important.
Learning
Self discovery in these moments comes naturally if you let it. Learn to lose yourself in the moment. Not thinking about the next thing, the must do's, the tasks of the day. The importance is to be in the moment, soak it all in and discover how you'd best like to spend your days and do whatever you can do make each day your ideal day.
Ready for the Day
From here, friction is gone. I've had a wonderful start to the day, I would argue there's no better start. Everything after this is a bonus.
The 30-Day 1% Progress Tracker
Building a morning routine is exactly the kind of habit that benefits from tracking. Use this free printable to lock in your routine one day at a time.
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When you start the day in the best way possible, it sets the table for you to have the best possible day. Even if the rest of your day is dominated by tasks or stress, it is far more manageable to start your day in a relaxed, satisfied state, rather than dragging yourself out of bed and rushing out the door, starting your day under stress before you even begin.
Find what truly works for you. If that means getting up Goggins-style and working out, go for it. If it means getting an early start on some work that if not completed will cause more stress through your day, that's fine as well. You can also take it slow, reflect, plan, meditate. There is no hard rule, but there are some proven systems that have been known to work.
You don't need to travel or live in Hawai'i to have your perfect morning. It may start there, but the trick is how to make it happen regardless of your location. You can find beauty where you are, whether it a big city, or a rural road. You can take time for yourself, because at the end of the day, the only person responsible for your well-being is you. It's time to get serious about taking yourself seriously.
Tools That Support a Better Morning
The right gear, journal, or alarm clock can make your morning routine dramatically easier to sustain. Here’s what we actually use.
Browse the Toolkit →What will your best morning look like next week?
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