I used to think productivity was all about grinding harder, working longer, and squeezing every last drop out of my day. I’d wake up, immediately dive into emails, and feel like I was already behind before my coffee even kicked in. Sound familiar? Maybe you’ve felt that rush too, the one where you’re constantly playing catch-up, reacting to whatever the day throws at you, and ending up exhausted with a nagging feeling that you haven’t really accomplished what truly matters.
For years, I chased that elusive “perfect morning routine” I read about in books and heard about from successful people. I tried waking up at 5 AM, doing yoga, meditating for an hour, journaling, planning my entire day, and even calling friends to “stay in touch” – all before 8 AM. The reality? It was a recipe for burnout. My life, like yours, is full of unexpected twists: early morning meetings with folks across time zones, kids needing rides to school, or just the general chaos of life. Trying to force a rigid, unrealistic routine only led to frustration and feeling like a failure when I inevitably couldn’t stick to it.
What I eventually realized, and what I want to share with you today, is that true productivity doesn’t come from a rigid “morning routine.” It comes from something far more flexible, personal, and powerful: a “rise ritual.” This isn’t about waking up at a specific time or doing a set list of tasks. It’s about intentionally designing the first moments after you wake up to set yourself up for a productive, focused, and energized day, no matter what time you rise or what challenges lie ahead.
1. Make Time, Don’t Just “Find” Time
One of the biggest misconceptions about a productive start to the day is that you need to “find” time for it. The truth is, you have to make time. For me, this was a huge breakthrough. I was living in Los Angeles, commuting to work, and constantly feeling rushed. I’d wake up at [7:45] AM for a 9 AM start, with a 35-40 minute commute. There was simply no time for anything beyond brushing my teeth and grabbing a quick bite. My “routine” was forced, not designed.
My solution wasn’t to wake up even earlier, which would have just meant less sleep. Instead, I shifted my bedtime. Going to bed a little earlier created the space I needed in the morning. It sounds simple, but it was a game-changer. It allowed me to read, reflect, and prepare for the day without feeling like I was sacrificing precious sleep or rushing out the door.
Many of us fall into the trap of “hopium” – hoping that tomorrow will magically be different, even when our current habits make that impossible. We try to cram an ideal routine into an already overflowing schedule. You might envision doing yoga, planning your day, reading a chapter, and meal prepping, all before the kids are up or that early meeting with the London office. But life happens. Kids, commutes, time zone differences, unexpected decisions – these all impact your morning.
The key is to look at your actual morning and identify what you can adjust. Can you do some pre-work the night before? Can you stack tasks, doing a few things at once? Or, like me, can you adjust your sleep schedule? It’s about being realistic about the time you have and then intentionally carving out moments for your ritual.
What small adjustment can you make tonight or this weekend to create space for your rise ritual tomorrow?
2. Personalize Your Routine: One Size Does Not Fit All
I’ll admit it: I’m a sucker for reading about other people’s routines. I’d see someone successful doing X, Y, and Z, and immediately think, “Oh, I should be doing that too!” Whether it was Benjamin Franklin’s meticulous schedule or a modern entrepreneur’s intense morning workout, I’d try to replicate it. But my life is different. Your life is different. Why should our rise rituals be identical?
Your rise ritual should support your goals and help you have a good day. It’s great to draw inspiration, but don’t blindly copy. Instead, think in categories. What activities, when done in the morning, would help you feel good and productive? Here are some categories to consider:
- Movement: Stretching, a quick walk, a workout. For me, I moved my intense workouts to the afternoon because I realized that’s when my energy dips, and a workout helps me power through. My mornings are now shorter, allowing for more focused work.
- Mind: Reading, meditation, gratitude practice, or a quick visualization. This is about engaging your mind and setting a positive tone.
- Planning: Journaling, daily affirmations, or a quick review of your priorities. This helps you know what’s happening and mentally prepare for the day.
- Nourishment: Drinking water, coffee, tea, or a healthy breakfast. Hydration, especially, is a simple yet powerful way to kickstart your body.
- Other: This could include family time, like getting kids ready, or anything else that’s important to your unique morning.
You don’t need to do something from every category, and you don’t need to spend hours on each. My own rise ritual is about 30-40 minutes. It’s about what makes you feel ready to tackle the day. It took me years of iteration to find what works best, so don’t expect perfection right away.
What one activity from these categories would make the biggest positive impact on your day if you consistently included it in your rise ritual?
3. Embrace Imperfection: The “Something is Better Than Nothing” Rule
Life is messy. Things will come up. Your perfectly crafted rise ritual will, at some point, fall apart. I recently had to take my son for his driver’s test (he didn’t pass, but that’s another story!). We had to be there at [8:20] AM, half an hour away. My morning routine was completely derailed. But here’s the crucial part: I didn’t let that derail my entire day, or my commitment to a rise ritual.
This is where the “something is better than nothing” rule comes in. I used to be the person who, if I couldn’t do my full 60-minute workout, would just skip it entirely. “It’s not perfect,” I’d tell myself, “so why bother?” That mindset is a productivity killer. Now, if I only have 40 minutes, I’ll do a compressed version. Maybe two sets instead of three. It’s not ideal, but it’s still a win.
The worst thing you can do is miss a day, then miss another, and suddenly your rise ritual is gone. My golden rule is: don’t skip it twice in a row. Even if you have to do a suboptimal version, do something. It maintains momentum and reinforces the habit.
To prepare for these inevitable bumps, ask yourself:
- What are your non-negotiables? What are the absolute core elements you want to do every day, even if everything else goes sideways?
- What are the “droppable” items? What can you skip or shift to later in the day without feeling like you’ve failed?
- Do you have a short, “emergency” version of your rise ritual you can bust out when time is tight?
Being intentional about these questions before things go wrong will make it much easier to roll with the punches and stay consistent. It’s about progress, not perfection.
What’s one “non-negotiable” element of your ideal rise ritual that you commit to doing, no matter what?
Your Actionable Takeaway
Don’t overthink it. Start small. Figure out a realistic time for your rise ritual, even if it’s just 15 minutes. Then, pick one or two simple steps from the categories above to start with. Implement it tomorrow. Even one small tweak can lead to massive results. Your future productive self will thank you.
