I used to think productivity was all about cramming more into my day. I’d wake up, immediately dive into emails, and try to tackle my to-do list before my coffee even kicked in. The result? A constant feeling of being rushed, overwhelmed, and frankly, not very productive at all. It felt like I was always playing catch-up, and my days often ended with me feeling drained and unaccomplished.
Then I realized something crucial: true productivity isn’t about doing more, it’s about setting yourself up for success. And for me, that revelation came through understanding the power of what we at Asian Efficiency call a “rise ritual.” It’s not just a morning routine; it’s a personalized set of actions you take after waking up, whenever that may be, to prime your mind and body for a focused and effective day. This isn’t about rigid schedules or waking up at 4 AM (unless that works for you!). It’s about intentionality and creating space for yourself before the demands of the day take over.
Make Time, Don’t Find Time
One of the biggest misconceptions about a rise ritual is that you need to “find” time for it. The truth is, you have to make time. For years, I struggled with this. Living in Los Angeles, my mornings were a blur of rushing to work, often eating in the car. I wanted a morning routine, but it felt impossible to fit in. I was already lacking sleep, going to bed late, and waking up just in time to commute.
My breakthrough came when I stopped trying to wake up earlier and instead focused on going to bed earlier. It sounds simple, but it was a game-changer. By shifting my bedtime, I created the space I needed to actually implement a routine. I could read, reflect, and prepare for the day without feeling like I was sacrificing precious sleep or rushing through everything. This wasn’t about magically hoping for a different tomorrow; it was about intentionally adjusting my habits to support my goals.
Many people fall into the trap of trying to force an “ideal” routine into an unrealistic schedule. They envision doing yoga, planning their day, reading a chapter, and calling friends, all before the kids are up or an early meeting starts. Life happens. Kids, commutes, early meetings across time zones, unexpected surprises – these all impact your morning. The key is to assess your current situation and see what you can adjust. Maybe it’s your sleep pattern, like it was for me. Maybe it’s doing some “pre-work” the night before, like planning your day in the evening instead of the morning. The goal is to create a realistic time duration you can commit to, even if it means stacking tasks or making small adjustments.
*What small adjustment can you make today to create more space for yourself in the morning?
Personalize Your Routine: One Size Does Not Fit All
I’ll admit, I used to be a sucker for reading about other people’s routines. I’d see successful individuals doing certain things and think, “Oh, I should be doing that too!” Whether it was Benjamin Franklin’s schedule or a popular entrepreneur’s morning habits, I tried to emulate them. But I eventually realized that my life, my goals, and my situation are unique. Why should my rise ritual be the same as someone else’s?
The power of a rise ritual lies in its personalization. It should support your goals and help you have a good day. Instead of copying, think in terms of categories of activities that can contribute to a productive start. You don’t have to do something from every category, but consider what resonates with you:
- Movement: Stretching, light exercise, a walk, or a gym session. This gets your body moving and blood flowing.
- Mindfulness: Reading, meditation, gratitude exercises, or journaling. This helps you engage your mind and set a positive tone.
- Planning: Visualization, affirmations, or outlining your day. This provides clarity and direction.
- Nourishment: Drinking water, coffee, tea, or a healthy breakfast. This fuels your body.
- Other: Family time, preparing for the day, or anything else that brings you peace or prepares you for what’s ahead.
For me, my rise ritual takes about 30-40 minutes. I used to exercise in the morning, but I’ve shifted that to the afternoon. I realized my energy dips then, and a workout helps me power through. This frees up my mornings for deep, focused work. The most important thing is what makes you feel good and productive. It’s an iterative process; don’t expect perfection from day one.
*Which of these categories speaks to you most, and what’s one small thing you could try from it?
Embrace Imperfection: The “Something is Better Than Nothing” Rule
Life is unpredictable. There will be days when your perfectly planned rise ritual goes completely off the rails. My co-host Brooks recently shared how his morning routine was disrupted when he had to take his son for a driver’s test. Things like travel, unexpected appointments, or even just a bad night’s sleep can throw you off. The danger here is that one missed day can easily turn into two, and suddenly your entire routine is abandoned.
This is where the “something is better than nothing” rule comes in. Just because you can’t do your full rise ritual doesn’t mean you should ditch it entirely. Instead, have a compressed version ready. Identify your non-negotiables – the absolute core elements you want to do every day. Then, know what’s droppable or can be shifted to later in the day. For Brooks, reading for 30 minutes is a core part of his routine, but it’s also the first thing to go if his schedule gets wacky. He’ll just read later in the day.
I used to be the person who, if I couldn’t do a full 60-minute workout, I’d skip it altogether. Now, if I only have 40 minutes, I’ll do a compressed version. Maybe two sets instead of three. The point is to maintain momentum. The worst thing you can do is skip it twice in a row. It’s much harder to get back on track once you’ve lost that rhythm. Imperfection is part of the process. Be okay with it, adjust, and keep moving forward.
*What are your non-negotiables for a productive start to your day, and what’s your plan for when things don’t go as planned?
