I’ve never found anything that helps me approach each day with energy and enthusiasm like a morning routine. When I finish everything on my list before my kids are even up I feel like I’ve already won the day. I also feel in control instead of just responding to whatever comes my way first. It’s a great feeling and really kick starts my day!

Below is my routine. I don’t think there’s any magic to these particular actions — but this is what I try to do first thing. I do all of this before I look at email or the news or anything really. It is critical that I don’t let anything get in the way of starting the routine — or it will likely derail the whole exercise. If it weren’t for the podcasts I listen to while running, I wouldn’t even grab my phone when I get out of bed.

5.00 Alarm goes off. This is always the hardest part for me — leaving warmth of the covers and having my feet hit the floor. No snooze button, just get up and go!

5.15 Run on the treadmill. Okay, so it shouldn’t take 15 minutes to get from bed to the treadmill — but give me break, it’s 5am! I usually do 15–30 minutes of either a good paced run or intervals. Getting the blood pumping early in the morning always raises my energy level. I usually listen to a podcast while I’m running. (My favorites: Ezra Klein Show, Recode Decode, Exponent)

5.35 Mindfulness. Right after I get off the treadmill I start a 10 minute mindfulness exercise. I find it helpful to calm my mind (it tends to race and wander). Currently I’m using Calm and often use the Body Scan or I do a 10 minute timed meditation. I’ve also tried Headspace, but just like the narration in Calm better.

5.45 5 Minute Journal. I’ve played on and off with journaling, but hadn’t found something I could stick with until I found 5 Minute Journal. It asks you to respond to two prompts in the morning and two in the evening. In the morning they are: -3 Things I’m grateful for…- and -What will I do to make today great?- In the evening it is -3 Amazing things that happened today- and -What could I have done better today?- I really enjoy spending a bit of time reflecting on things and I find it helps me be a more thoughtful person. I currently do this in a Moleskine journal.

5.50 GTD Daily Review. I like David Allen’s -Getting Things Done- methodology for task management — but even if you don’t I think taking 5–1 minutes in the morning to plan out your day is critical. I usually review my meetings and notes from yesterday, look through all my projects to make sure I have the right next actions identified, and pick what I plan to get done today. I will try to identify one important, large task that I call my -One Big Thing- that I tackle first thing in the morning after I drop my kids off at school. This helps to build some momentum of getting things done early and not caught up in the details of responding to email, etc.

6.00 Pack Lunches. This may not fit with the rest of them, but it helps keep my wife happy and means I can feel like a good Dad and Husband and not just personally productive.

6.15 Coffee and News If I manage to get everything done and my family still isn’t awake yet, I will relax with coffee and read the news (NY Times Daily Briefing, Economist Espresso). If not, it’s time to play with the kids and make breakfast — news is optional.

So, that’s a little glimpse into the first hour of my day. Many days I won’t get everything done — but I find the more I can commit to this routine first thing in the morning the better I feel. Try building a morning routine for yourself and see if it works for you too!