My Morning Routine

Anonymous Says:

January 31st, 2007, 19:43 pm

great stuff … i’ve been looking to come up with something like this.

Peter Says:

January 31st, 2007, 21:22 pm

Good luck Leo … you’ve been doing great with your goals. I’m sure this will be a success as well. I’ll be checking back to see your progress.

Leo Says:

January 31st, 2007, 22:59 pm

Thanks guys … I’ll try to report my progress on this goal at least once a week.

Days of our slacking! Says:

February 26th, 2007, 23:26 pm

What time do you go to sleep to get up so early?

Leo Says:

February 27th, 2007, 4:30 am

Hi Slacking … I usually go to sleep sometime between 9:30 and 11 p.m. If I go to sleep at 11 p.m. or later, I’m usually pretty tired in the morning, so sometimes I’ll sleep until 5:00 or 5:30 a.m., but I usually try to be in bed by 10:00 or 10:30. I’ve found that if I go to bed by 9:00 or 9:30, that’s ideal for me, but sometimes I work on this blog late (or read other blogs) and end up staying up too late. The key for me is to allow myself to go to bed earlier if possible, even if I don’t think I’ll sleep, and just read myself to sleep. If I’m tired I’ll usually fall asleep in a few minutes.

Kaz Says:

March 8th, 2007, 1:53 am

Nice page. Worth visiting often!
Keep it up.

Anthony Baker Says:

March 10th, 2007, 23:32 pm

Quick question — given you get up at 4:30 a.m., what time do you go to sleep? I’ve sometimes gone for getting up early — going to sleep at the same time as my boy (8 p.m.) and then waking up at 4 a.m., but not with any mighty consistency.

Leo Says:

March 11th, 2007, 3:13 am

Hi Anthony … I usually go to bed between 9:30 and 10:30, as I don’t usually need more than 6-7 hours sleep. If I go to bed after 10:30, it’ll usually be too late for me, and I might not get up until 5:00 or 5:30.

As for being consistent about waking early, it’s just a matter of trying to do it every day for a little while to make it a habit. Have a good reason to get up early (work on your goals!) and that’ll make it easier. It’s worth a try!

Mannaz Says:

April 27th, 2007, 16:44 pm

I love the idea of getting up and doing things at that kind of time. But my natural sleep times normally have me awake until 1-2am. The insomnia means that sometimes I still don’t get to sleep until you’re waking up.

All I really need to help me do this is a boss that doesn’t mind me sleeping during the afternoon.

Love the site BTW

Ted Says:

May 1st, 2007, 19:10 pm

Great post. I have worked very hard at my morning routine for several months and I have come up with some tips that I have learned. Here is some of what works for me:

First, and this must be said, the key to getting up early is to be tired when you go to bed and then go to bed early. Sounds simple, right?

Note entirely. For me, I try to go to bed (and this means get in bed) at 9pm and be out and sleeping by 9:30. My alarm goes off at 5am, but most mornings I’m already awake and out of bed by then. It is super weird to see how quickly your body clock can adjust just over a period of weeks. I’ve been getting up at this hour for about three months. Simply put, I love it.

Ok, my second suggestion. Stay on your feet for the first hour that you are awake. I learned this the hard way, where I would plop down start reading and then doze off. I know that after sleeping 6 or 7 or 8 hours that this sounds lazy, but that is me. It is dark outside and it is early and if you want to be productive early in the morning for me, I must stay on my feet.

For me, I also must do something in the first hour. At first, I listen to podcasts or music. Then I clean the kitchen, water plants, do laundry, etc. Being on my feet isn’t enough, I need to be active.

After the first hour, i am ok. Awake and going to stay that way.

So, those are my two cents. go to bed early, stay on your feet for the first hour, and then do something. I hope this helps with people who try to creat a morning routine that can work for them and that they can continue to implement. I know that this might sounds so simple that it doesn’t even make sense to blog it, but I guarantee if you have struggled to get a routine that you can stick with then you’ll know that no detail is too small.

andreas Says:

May 11th, 2007, 6:01 am

So what time do you sleep man?

Leo Says:

May 11th, 2007, 7:57 am

Normally around 10 p.m., which gives me about 6 1/2 hours. That’s usually enough for me, although on some days I need more.

AgentSully Says:

May 13th, 2007, 9:18 am

What time do the kids go to sleep? I’m just curious: you are so organized and disciplined, does your family support you in terms of joining you in this way of living?

Leo Says:

May 13th, 2007, 9:29 am

Great questions, AgentSully. My kids go to sleep at about 8 p.m. (although if we read to them, sometimes it’s a little later, but never later than 9 p.m.).

My wife and kids have made great strides in their clean-as-you-go and everything-in-its-place habits, modeled as best I can by me. But at the same time, I try not to be too super strict and realize that everyone’s different — they don’t have to be as neat and organized as me. In terms of discipline, my wife has made amazing strides in working on her goals and habits. This is not something that I push in her, but still, it’s something she decided to do. She’s worked on being organized, exercise, routines, etc. I’m really proud of her progress.

AgentSully Says:

May 13th, 2007, 9:50 am

Beautiful. I just love your positive example. The reason is you show how to be organized and structured but also how to be compassionate to yourself and others. Thanks.
Happy Mother’s Day to your wife. Best regards.

teejay Says:

May 24th, 2007, 2:43 am

What time do you go to bed?
I go to bed at 10.30. Thank god, I have no hard time to sleep. I am in bed and I am off in 5 mins. I get up at 5.30, sometimes 6.00. The worse part is, I don’t do anything significant in first hour which is VERY stupid of me. I am working on it. I guess your blog could be an inspiration to do something useful.

Really impressive blog.

Spiff Says:

May 25th, 2007, 5:28 am

People living like this always confuse me. It’s so different from my life. The thought of waking up while it is still night makes no sense to me. And going to bed at 21:30? I left work at 19:30 yesterday.. plus traffic… do some stuff at work… 21:30 is like dinner time to me.

I got to office earlier than usual today, at 08:20 and it was empty. Lights off. Most people arrive around 09:30 and leave at 6pm. It’s very hard to be able to do what you do unless your job allows you to.

Jol Says:

June 14th, 2007, 9:25 am

I am slowly making my way through your archives and I want to thank you for your tips. Regardless of whether I apply any of them, the inspirational nature will be helpful.

I am a early riser. Asleep by 10-10:30 each day (unless I went to a baseball game) and my body wakes up between 3:30 - 4:30. We threw away our alarm clock years ago because I am always up and can get my partner up on his schedule too.

Alas, I fail to make these early hours productive. I usually plop down to surf the web, then turn the TV on for the 5 AM early local news, then read the newspaper. Nothing wrong with any of that, but it would be great if I throw in something productive too.

I like Ted’s suggestion of staying on my feet for the first hour of the morning.

Thanks, Leo, for your wonderful site.

AnnaBanana Says:

July 8th, 2007, 2:05 am

Spiff, you obviously have enough free time in your busy day to post comments on other people’s blogs! ;)

Gerion Says:

July 14th, 2007, 2:16 am

Interesting posting! But, one question: Don’t you have problems with going to bed early regarding evening activities? Even if you do not watch TV - what about going out for dinner, cinema, theatre, opera, concert, visiting friends, celebrating birthdays and other anniversaries etc…

At the moment I’m trying to get up at 6 and do something productive to get awake. But I can not imagine to go to bed earlier than 22:45h in the evening. There are too many “outside activities” that would disturb such a habit, so I would never get used to it…

(sorry for any language mistakes, I am not a native speaker)

Harveen Says:

August 4th, 2007, 15:05 pm

This is exactly what I need to do! Start a routine that begins my day in a positive organised fashion in which I can maximize the rest of the day. Right now I feel like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get everything done!

Thanks for the post.

zenia Says:

September 25th, 2007, 1:03 am

I love the idea of greeting the day with no rush, no worry that I’d be late again and definitely with a full stomach… But I’m not much of an early riser and more of a night person… I tried doing an early morning routine but then it usually lasts a day or two. After reading your post, I’m going to try it out again.

Wish me luck.

Tom Says:

December 17th, 2007, 0:42 am

One question for you that made me wonder. Whenever I’ve tried to exercise shortly after eating I’ve found it very difficult. I get stomach aches, and my body doesn’t seem to like exercising on a full stomach. Do you have this problem at all, or does your reading time allow it all to digest.

Great site, though. I’m still trying to focus parts of my life. And if you ever felt like writing out some tips for those of us with unsteady work schedules, that would be great! I know it’s hard for me to get into the habit of waking up early when I might be done at 5pm one day, and 11pm the next!

Paul Says:

January 4th, 2008, 9:35 am

I would like to get up early and have a morning routine apart from it is now winter and it does not get light where I am until 8 oclock and I am terrified of my wife’s wrath if I wake her or our son up if I try to get up before 6:30. Any advice on that would be greatly appreciated.

Kjersti Says:

February 14th, 2008, 18:50 pm

I love schedules! They fix everything. However, I have a question. If I have four MITs instead of three, is that taking on too many? It just makes more sense. Four MITs, for four classes. Oh, I’m a highschool student by the way. And yes, despite that fact, I still rise at 4:30 and do many of the same things as you! Go team!

marion murphy Says:

March 1st, 2008, 21:13 pm

Leo, I agree with you on early mornings. It is so wonderful to enjoy the quiet and start your day seeing the sun rise. It is a great time for me to do some soul searching and plan my day. I’d feel like I really missed something if I stayed in bed past 5 am. Grandma

Dave Bullock Says:

March 7th, 2008, 12:17 pm

I just want to say that this is really great. I’ve been fine tuning my morning routine and this is a great guide. I’m still scaling back my wake-up time, right now I’m at 6:00.

Also I combine one of my goals (shoot more photos for fun) during my exercise, I do a walkabout. =]

Alex Shalman Says:

April 6th, 2008, 12:48 pm

Speaking from personal experience, and I think many people will agree, the 1 major obstacle of a morning routine are the people in our lives. Waking up at 4:30am would be hard for me because A) I’m used to 8 hours of sleep and B) most of my friends do not go to sleep at 10, which always messes up my sleeping cycle on weekends.

This gets me thinking… perhaps I need some early riser friends! =)

Dan Says:

April 26th, 2008, 0:27 am

Great article.

For keeping track of your routines you can use my application, Gtdagenda.

The feature that fits perfectly with this is the Checklists.

Add a daily checklist for each activity in your routine, and this will create a series of checkboxes that you come each day to and check as complete.

There are also monthly checklists, and yearly checklists, for more rare routines.

Dan
http://www.gtdagenda.com

Titus Says:

May 5th, 2008, 19:09 pm

Great routine there! I have one thing to add that will make your day much better. All you have to do is add a slice of lemon to your water in the morning. Although this sounds trivial it will jump-start your digestive system and allow you to not only eat a bigger breakfast but fully digest it and convert that food into much needed energy in this hectic world.

jari Says:

May 8th, 2008, 10:43 am

I will try your tips.

Harry Says:

June 8th, 2008, 19:22 pm

Leo,
I’ve been reading your blog for several weeks and have become a ZenHabits junkie.I’m spreading the word on my own blog because you answer so many questions that arise in my business coaching. You keep me from reinventing the wheel. Thanks so much and keep up the good work.
Harry

Sumha Says:

June 9th, 2008, 23:20 pm

Thank yourself 4 the kindness of contributing your ideas. It just might help save my marriage. I’m bi~polar and have just recently discovered that a routine is good 4 my disorder. May you find true happiness my friend.

Gabrieel Says:

June 20th, 2008, 3:06 am

Hi, you wake up at 4:30 geezzzz!

Just a question when do you go sleep? how many hour do you sleep? had you enough for rest?

regards,

Gabrieel

Mike Says:

July 11th, 2008, 23:45 pm

It’s nice to see that you set aside time for relaxing. It seems like for most people the morning is one giant rush until they sit down to work.

I particularly can’t stand when people angrily try to rush past you walking up escalators. Is this really saving you that much time?

I know you want to try to stick with this routine, but I think you should switch it up sometimes as well. Don’t let it get stale and monotonous.

We wrote about 101 Ways to Start the Morning Off Right at our blog, http://www.livetheslowlife.com, and I’ve started doing them this week. It’s funny how little things can change your entire outlook for the day. Or, when I plan something fun for lunch, I look forward to it all morning. It keeps things interesting.

Great post though!

adelina Says:

July 23rd, 2008, 8:58 am

I start day in this way:
Clean sink: The first taking short steps will be illuminating to your sink. Do not listen to those who said that this does not save from the disorder in the house. This is where I started and this little habit has changed my life. Believe it and make it step. After you have done it, you will need to maintain its shell in such a state: to be dry sink after each use. Going to sleep, check whether it shines enough to cause you smile morning? So I will hug you every morning. Shining sink - reflection of your love for yourself.

"Motivate Thyself" Says:

August 13th, 2008, 21:09 pm

Leo, you inspired me with this post when I read it a few weeks ago. I’ve always been a morning person and love the feeling I get when I wake early. You feel like you’ve go the whole world to yourself for that short time before the masses awake. But after reading this post I decided to try to get up earlier. I used to get up at 7am so I started with 6:30 for a few days and then 6. Within a week or so I was getting up at 5am. Now I get up between 4 and 4:30 and I love it. As long as I go to bed a little earlier than I used to I have plenty of energy throughout the day. I get more done in this time and I really look forward to it the night before.
The funny thing is I don’t even use an alarm clock anymore. I just wake around that time and I’m ready to go. And just like your family, I wake my wife and let the dogs out at 6:30. Thanks for the great post.
I’m excited to hear you are J-O-B free! I have my own business but I am working on other avenues that allow for more freedom. You’ve really inspired me. Thanks, Eric.

Tony - Spark Victory Says:

September 8th, 2008, 14:32 pm

Hi Leo,

Great post, I read this a few months ago and it inspired me to work on a morning routine… it took some time but finally got one going. Wanted to focus more on creating positive energy in the morning for myself. (I’m not sure about getting up at 4:30 am, thats a little too early for me)

Dibaman Says:

October 16th, 2008, 5:08 am

I love your work

Veronica Says:

November 9th, 2008, 13:13 pm

I don’t remember when I last saw sunrise in reality. And it really surprises me how you wake so early every day!

Paul Says:

November 12th, 2008, 22:18 pm

Compared your morning to mine…Respect. You really get lots things done.

I made a post

Note Thing Says:

December 26th, 2008, 19:19 pm

To get up at 4.30 you should go to bad really early. How long do you sleep?

Lori Says:

December 31st, 2008, 21:23 pm

I love the idea of making one of the MIT’s part of your goal. A very simple concept, but one I never thought of. I am so motivated to start this. Thank you Leo for this simple but effective tip! On a general note, I just discovered your site this morning and am hooked! Thank you for all you do!
Lori

Jazz Says:

March 10th, 2009, 19:33 pm

As real night owl i very surprised.

Be Happy Says:

May 6th, 2009, 18:04 pm

Thanks for sharing your morning routine. I’m quite inspired to change my work schedule - no more international calls/chats past 11p - so I can wake up earlier. What time do you sleep?

anjali Says:

May 17th, 2009, 14:27 pm

Today is the first day i saw this link…Iam totally motivated..
Question; My work shift keeps changing every two months (two months i work in the day and the other two night )
Do u have any tips which can help me in such cases..
and also iam recently married and find it hard for Balancing personal and Professional life and mostly ending up not cookong at home
awaiting for your suggestions

Aldohas Says:

May 23rd, 2009, 15:12 pm

how long isyour exercise?
I think it’s less than 30 minutes
is it enough for you?

Brandi Says:

May 31st, 2009, 22:47 pm

My morning routine:
Wake at 6:30 AM
Spend quality morning times with the dogs, feed them breakfast, walk them for a nice long morning walk
check email, rss feeds
check calendar
shower
breakfast
leave for work at 8:30 AM

I am definitely a morning person and tend to grow tired by 4:00 PM in the afternoon, I just get so much more thinking done in the early morning sunrise.

Team Building Activities Says:

June 1st, 2009, 6:56 am

Hey Friend,

I read your routine.

Still I am unmarried,it is just little different and I checked mine diary and prepare mine mind for that day’s work.

But I always try mine level best to keep this routine regular also for weekends,but i could not get success.

free divorce papers Says:

June 5th, 2009, 3:35 am

I have been practicing to wake up at 4AM for two weeks now. Last week, i was able to wake myself up at 5:30. This week, it is now 5AM. I am nearing my goal.

Preklady nemcina Says:

June 27th, 2009, 3:03 am

I would say that your morning routine is quite great, I am struggling to design my own routine but I think I am making progress and that is the most important thing to compare to myself, dont you think?

joanna Says:

June 29th, 2009, 17:06 pm

I must try this.