Anyone who knows me can attest that I am quite disciplined in my approach to most everything. My morning routine has most definitely become my habit, and I have found if I miss any of the 5 things on this list, my day just doesn’t have the same “pop” that it would otherwise have. Please comment with the one thing that you must do to have the perfect day in the comments
The first four hours of my day, I often consider my best four hours 4 hours. So if you have done the math backing out 4 hours from 8:00, I do wake at 4 AM, and yes, I do exercise every morning. I thoroughly enjoy it and for that matter, require it if I want to maintain my upbeat mood and pace that I prefer. During my workout, I have always listened to a book on Audible or while on a stationary bike learning something from a training course or a you tube video. This is what led me to my T-shirt slogan. “Civilize the mind, Make Savage the Body!”
So what 5 things do I recommend you do everyday? Here is the list, and in the order in which I do them:
4:00 – 5:00
Read Something – 4:00- 4:15 – I spend at least 15 minutes reading something educational, but normally it doesn’t stop there. While I love to read the written word, I will also listen to audible during my workouts. I always read 3 Non-Fiction books to 1 Fiction. I think this ratio of 3 to 1 – educate vs entertain is a good mix for me.
2. Write Something Interesting – 4:15 – 4:30- I spend at least 15 minutes writing. I got into this habit when I started writing my first book Enhanced Life Performance. I will admit that I have always loved to write, but I merely journaled from time-to-time. Now, it is an all-out onslaught of content creation. Weather it is this Blog, the next book, this newsletter, or my journal this gets my creative juices flowing and I love to do it.
3. Quick Review of the Day – 4:30-4:45 – Review te calendar and the in-box to see what the day has in store and make sure that my tasks (I use the 1-3-5 rule) are in place and I know exactly what I will be doing when I hit the ground running at 8:00 A.M.
4. Meditate / Pray – 4:45 – 5:00 This is difficult but not the hardest thing for me on this list. It does require quieting the mind and that is difficult for me, but trust me this is necessary for me to handle the stresses of the day. Sometimes I am meditating just to quiet the body, sometimes I am inviting the Holy Spirit to experience a bit of “community” with me. Either way this quiet time is a requirement for me to handle the stresses of life and remain in alignment with what my Heavenly Father wants for me.
5:00 – 7:00
5. Exercise – I will Properly test the body at 5:00 AM. Remember the T-Shirt slogan “Civilize the mind, Make Savage the Body!” So from 4 to 5 I feel like I have appropriately furthered my education and intellect, now it is time to get the blood pumping. I do train every day, but it is always different body parts. I never train the same major body part (Chest, Shoulders, Back, Legs, Arms) more than twice per week and actually I typically train a major every 5 days. Cardio happens daily and only once or twice per week will the cardio intensity get crazy! I have in the past 5 years transitioned from “performance” to longevity. (no more bodybuilding contests in my future)
Bonus Item – Drink 32 Ounces of Water – Of this list, this is the one that I falter from time-to-time because I just don’t love water, but this is something I force myself to do and get it right most days.
At the end of the day, routines are deeply personal. What works for me may not work exactly the same for you, but I can tell you this: when you intentionally carve out time in the early hours to pour into yourself— Spirit, mind & body—it sets the tone for everything that follows.
These five simple practices have become the foundation of my days, and over time, they’ve shaped the person I continue to become. It’s not just about discipline; it’s about designing a life that energizes and fulfills you. Again, please comment with the one thing that you must do to have the perfect day in the comments. I would love to hear your routine!
If you’re looking to take control of your mornings—and ultimately your life—start small. Pick one or two things from this list and make them non-negotiable. Consistency beats intensity when you’re building habits. And who knows? You might just find that your first four hours become your best four hours too.
Here’s to better mornings, sharper minds, stronger bodies, and days that pop.