There’s been a lot of buzz lately about morning routines. Everyone wants the secret hack, the quick fix that will unlock personal and professional success. The truth? There are very few real hacks. Growth takes work, and that work starts the moment you wake up.
The time right after you wake up is a gift. It’s quiet, uninterrupted, and completely yours. How you use it sets the tone for everything that follows throughout your day. The right morning routine used with consistency will open doors to results you didn’t think were possible.
I am excited to share my morning routine for success. It will not be perfect for everyone, but I hope it inspires you to create a consistent morning routine that works for you.
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Make Coffee
The first move in my morning routine for success is simple. I head downstairs and make coffee for my wife and I. James Clear talks about the power of habit-stacking and starting with a small, repeatable ritual that leads naturally into the next one. For me, making coffee is that first domino. It’s a win right out of the gate, triggering me to start the rest of my morning routine.
Why it matters: This small act reminds me that success isn’t just professional. It’s also about showing up well for the people I care about most. And, at the same time, it also launches me into the rest of my morning ritual.
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Hydrate and Journal
As the coffee is brewing, I grab a big glass of water and head to our dining room or front porch for some journaling time. I start my journal with two questions:
- Yesterday, what went well?
- Yesterday, what could have gone better?
I break my answers to those two questions into four key areas:
- Body: health, fitness, and wellness
- Mind: mental focus, learning, future plans
- Spirit: faith journey, spiritual growth
- Emotion: relationships, fears, joys, gratitude
To be fair, I spent ten years trying to become someone who journaled. I was clear about the fact that journaling held many benefits, but kept convincing myself that I wasn’t a “journaler.” Finally, about three years ago I adopted the questions above, which I answer in simple bullet points. It shifted me away from thinking that journaling was like keeping a diary, and toward journaling as a way to track mindset and build awareness. It is now something I wake up excited to do, instead of dreading it.
Why it matters: Drinking water first thing in the morning helps rehydrate the body after sleep, boosts metabolism, aids digestion, and can improve focus and energy levels. Reflection builds self-awareness. Tracking wins keeps me grateful. Noting what could improve keeps me humble and focused on growth. This practice helps me become a healthier, more balanced version of myself over time, and doing this consistently allows me to check progress and keep pulse.
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Read Scripture and Pray
Once I’ve journaled, I open my Bible to a random page, trusting that God has something for me there each day. I let that passage speak to me, then spend time in prayer and reflection. Often, I end up adding fresh thoughts or realizations to my journal.
Why it matters: This centers my day on faith, not chaos. It reminds me I’m not walking through life alone and keeps my decisions grounded in something bigger than myself.
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Plan My Day: Focus Sheet
Next, I pull out my daily focus sheet. This is where I:
- Write my goals
- Note my current projects
- Identify my “Big 3–4” must-get-done items
- List personal to-dos
- Capture updates I need to share with my team
- Block my day in half-hour increments for meetings, calls, and tasks
- I also check off each part of my morning routine to keep myself accountable.
Why it matters: This shifts my day from reactive to proactive. I know exactly what matters most and when I’ll work on it, which keeps anxiety in check and momentum high. As part of my morning routine for success, this is one of the keys to making sure my energy is focused and intentional, not wasted or spent on the wrong things.
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Email Sweep
Before diving into deep work, I spend about 15 minutes scanning my inbox for anything urgent. I respond to high-priority client messages or team needs so I’m not holding anyone up.
Why it matters: This keeps communication flowing and clears my mental runway so I can focus without worrying about bottlenecks. Often, those bottlenecks have shown up for the people on my team, and my lack of responsiveness has created these hold-ups. This email sweep ensures they have what they need to start their days well.
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Move My Body
The last part of my morning routine for success changes day to day. Sometimes it’s a walk, sometimes strength training, yoga, or a hill workout.
Why it matters: Physical health fuels every other area of our lives. Moving my body first thing sharpens my focus, lifts my mood, and ensures my energy is where it needs to be. It also helps me step into a bit of discomfort early in my day, and as I’ll be sharing in my next post on developing a growth mindset, that discomfort is a gift.
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The Bigger Picture…
You don’t need to copy my morning routine… you need to create a morning routine for success that fits your life, your values, and your goals. The key is consistency. The right routine becomes a foundation you can build on every day, shaping the person you’re becoming.
Your morning is the launchpad for your life. Develop your morning routine for success.
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Ready for more?
If you liked this, then you might be interested in my new book, Living Life Daily. Designed to motivate and challenge you every day, this book offers 365 thought-provoking prompts that will push you to reflect, take action, and embrace meaningful change. Whether you’re striving to set clearer goals, build resilient habits, or cultivate a winning mindset, each daily entry is packed with wisdom and practical advice to help you take small steps toward big results. Find it here!
You’ll also get massive value out of the Grit Meets Growth podcast that I share with Chris Cathers. It’s for people who want more out of life… at work, at home, in their relationships, and in their health and wellness. Find it here or on your favorite podcast platform!
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When we’re working on developing our own morning routine, what keeps us anchored? Purpose. Whether we’re driving a project at work or driven to grow in an area of our lives, purpose is a key ingredient to staying on track. With the right questions and a clear path, finding your purpose can be simpler than you think.
That’s why I created the Personal Purpose Guide to walk you through the same process I used myself: Reflect. Discover. Craft. Align.
Your purpose isn’t somewhere “out there.” It’s already inside you. You just need to find it—and choose to live it.
Here’s to making that a reality…
John
