My Morning Planning Ritual: 3rd of 3 Posts

About a dozen years ago, a friend recommended The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. “Seriously,” she said, “it’s changed my life.” I was skeptical, but curious. Until then, the idea of a structured morning routine had never even crossed my mind. Sure, I had a default routine: get up, brush teeth, drink coffee, check email, feel overwhelmed, get dressed, and head to work. Functional? Maybe. Intentional? Not so much.

Was there a better way? I was willing to find out.

That curiosity kicked off a decade-long journey to craft a morning practice that helps me feel intentional, productive, and grounded. If you’ve read my post on my weekly routine, you might remember two of my current reminders: “Consciously build the days and life I want. Full stop.” and “Don’t overstuff my days—the goal is to be the right amount of busy.” My morning routine plays a key role in helping me honor both.

Here’s a glimpse of what my mornings look like these days, along with a few practices I’ve experimented with over the years.

My Current Morning Routine

After getting up, brushing my teeth, and putting on the clothes I set out the night before, I make my coffee and jump into my routine:

1. Read 5 Pages of a Nonfiction Book
   This is one of my favorite rituals. I focus on books that teach me something or inspire me. Over time, I’ve read dozens this way. Three rules guide this habit:

   • I always take notes on ideas I find that resonate. This is a holdover from my law school days when I learned that if I don’t rewrite something in my own words, I’m not likely to remember it. I have a stack of notebooks with insights gathered from my favorite books.

   • I limit myself to five pages, even if it’s great. It’s easier to absorb wisdom in small bites.

   • If the book doesn’t resonate, I move on—life’s too short for mediocre reads.

2. Review My Weekly MITs (Most Important Things)
   During my weekly planning session, I set about 5 priorities for the week, which I call my “MITs”. Revisiting them each morning keeps me aligned with what truly matters.

3. Answer Three Quick Questions (and write the answers in my notebook)

   • Something I’m grateful for: Sometimes, it’s a simple as the hot coffee in my hand.

   • My focus for the day: From “crush all the to-dos” to “take it easy” or “be present for my family” my focus can be anything that will guide how I walk through the day.

   • NGTD (Not Going To Do): A daily commitment to avoid doing something that I don’t actually want to do. It can be a thought, a thing or a habit. For example, “I won’t overstuff my day,” “I won’t stress about money” or “I won’t sit at my computer and mindlessly eat chocolate chips.” Whatever it is that I don’t want to do that day.

4. Review My Calendar
   I review my calendar and handwrite the day’s appointments, calls, and meetings in my notebook.

5. Plan 5-8 Tasks
   Below my schedule, I write my top 5 - 8 tasks for the day. This lets me see my schedule and my priority task in one place. And yes, all of this info is still available on my digital calendar and to-do list, but not having to open my computer every time I want to see what’s next helps me avoid getting sucked down the rabbit hole of emails, texts and notifications.

Optional Add-Ons

Depending on the day, I might include these:

• Plan My Workout
  I usually program my workout when I get into the gym, but some days, I’ll map it out in advance.

• Track My Protein Goals
  If my diet feels off, I plan my protein intake. When I hit my protein targets, the rest of my eating habits tend to fall into place.

Evolution Over the Years

My routine has evolved with me, with things coming and going over the years, though once I have a morning practice dialed in, I stick to it for months at a time. But over the years, some practices that have been part of my routine include:

• Meditation: A 10-minute daily meditation was a staple for years and might make a comeback.

• Morning Stretches: I used to do five targeted stretches and one 30-second plank every morning.

• Morning Pages: I’ve dabbled in journaling, but it’s not my thing. Writing, however, finds its way into my mornings when I’m working on a book. During those seasons, my routine doesn’t start until I’ve written 600–1,000 words.

I know this might sound like a lot, but it usually takes just 20 minutes (except when I’m working on a new book, that 600-1,000 words can take a couple of hours). Honestly, it’s one of the best investments I make in my day.

Have a morning routine that you love? I’d love to hear about it! Share your ideas, insights, or wins with me on social media HERE.