The Morning Hour That Changed Everything
Over the past year, I’ve shared a lot about time management—from managing inbox chaos to owning your calendar, learning to say no, and most recently, reframing your week around the 168 hours we all get.
That last one hit a nerve.
People were surprised to realize that even with a full-time job, sleep, and family responsibilities… many of us still have 30+ hours a week of free time.
So the real question becomes: What are you doing with it?
I Took My Mornings Back
Let me start by saying: I’m not naturally a morning person. I’ve always leaned toward late nights, especially with a global role that spans multiple time zones and continents.
For a while, I tried scheduling my workouts at 4:45 PM, breaking up the day to stay flexible for late meetings. But what I noticed was this: the day has a way of taking over. Meetings spill. Priorities shift. That 4:45 PM slot? It slowly disappeared more days than not.
So I made a change.
For the past three years, I’ve started every weekday at 5:30 AM with a workout at Orangetheory. No Teams alerts. No inbox noise. No “let me just check one thing.” Just movement, breathing, and time that belongs to me.
It’s not just exercise + it’s my unplug hour.
It’s a Life-Changing Shift
This hour has become non-negotiable.
It travels with me—whether I’m home or on the road, East Coast or West Coast. It’s my daily reset button.
I’ve had to reteach myself what it means to build focus time, especially as a night person. It wasn’t natural at first. But it became essential. And now? I can’t imagine starting my day any other way.
After my workout, I make time for coffee (yes, I’m a coffee snob and proud of it), read a little, reflect, or just sit in the quiet.
This hour gives me space before Teams starts pinging, before I shift into problem-solving mode, before the grind begins.
The Best Work Happens Before Work
You’ve probably read the same research I have—most people do their best thinking in the morning.
And while I used to fight that reality, now I embrace it.
This isn’t just about productivity. It’s about clarity.
It’s about starting the day from a place of intention instead of reaction.
It’s about owning your time before the world tries to claim it.
So, How Do You Start Your Day?
You don’t have to hit the gym at 5:30.
But you do need a space that’s yours. Even 20–30 minutes before the day gets loud can change everything.
A walk. A journal. A book. A coffee ritual.
Whatever it is, make it sacred. Make it consistent.
Because the way you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows.
How are you protecting time for yourself before Teams lights up?
Let’s compare notes. Let’s build better mornings.
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