You don't need an elaborate morning routine. But a short, predictable start to the day can make it easier to do what matters before the day gets busy.
What morning routines get right
Mornings are often the only time before demands pile up. Doing your most important habits early, such as prayer, exercise or focused work, means they get done before interruptions arrive. A routine also removes small decisions from a time when you're not fully awake.
What they get wrong
Popular advice often presents long, complicated routines that start at 4:30 a.m. For parents, shift workers and people with long commutes, that isn't realistic. And waking earlier without going to bed earlier just costs you sleep, which matters more.
A simple morning start
Choose three or four things that matter to you, such as:
- Prayer or Bible reading.
- A glass of water and a short walk.
- A look at the day's plan.
- Breakfast with your family.
Keep the phone out of your hands for the first part of the morning.
What if you're not a morning person?
That's fine. The point isn't the hour. It's having a regular time for the habits that matter. For some people, evenings or lunch work better.
The rule that makes it stick: prepare the night before
A good morning starts the night before: clothes laid out, Bible on the chair, coffee ready, phone charging in another room.
This week
Choose three simple things to start your day with, set them up the night before, and do them every morning this week.
The keep
A simple morning start costs a little preparation the night before. It gives the day a steady beginning.
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