I’ll admit, I’m fascinated by the morning rituals people swear by to start their days. I’ve got my go-to morning routine — and I’ll share it in a moment, but there’s something I want to touch on before I do. It’s the thing I believe matters most about any morning routine.
The Most Important Part of Any Morning Routine
Whether you drink lemon water, journal three pages by hand, or hit the gym, the most important part of your morning routine is that you win the battle of your mind.
When you wake up, your mind is a blank slate. If you don’t consciously choose where your thoughts go, your mind will wander, often in unproductive or even negative directions. This is especially true if you start your day on autopilot, like reaching for your phone to scroll through emails or social media.
The truth: diluted focus leads to diluted results.
Allowing your mind to meander or react to outside influences first thing in the morning sets a tone of distraction for the entire day. Whatever your morning routine looks like, its primary purpose should be to take control of your mind and focus it on what truly matters. Here’s how I structure the first few hours of my day.
My Morning Routine
This is what works for me. It’s simple but powerful.
1. Start with Gratitude
The first thought I allow into my mind each day is “thank you.”
I thank God for anything I can think of in that moment.
Gratitude is a choice, and if I don’t actively choose positive thoughts, I know I’ll unconsciously slip into negative ones.
Gratitude is the first battle I win every morning—it’s my way of anchoring my day in positivity and abundance.
Here’s a little game I play: I imagine that tomorrow, I’ll only have the things I said “thank you” for today.
Suddenly, gratitude becomes an urgent and exciting challenge.
What do I love in my life that I don’t want to lose?
That’s where my focus goes.
2. Spend Time with God
The next step in my routine is time with God.
For me, that means reading scripture.
The first thing I want to consume each morning isn’t the news, social media, or email—it’s the Word of God.
I use the YouVersion Bible app on my phone to read the verse of the day.
I know there’s plenty of advice out there that says, “Don’t look at your phone in the morning,” but for me, it’s not about the device—it’s about the discipline.
I want the first influence in my life to be scripture because it sets my focus on eternal truths, not temporary distractions.
(If you’re curious about my faith journey and the intellectual foundation behind it, check out my Eternal Life podcast: Seven Questions Every Intelligent Skeptic Should Ask About Jesus of Nazareth.)
3. Engage in Good Reads
After I’ve spent time in gratitude and scripture, I turn to good reads.
For me, this usually happens in an infrared sauna at home.
I say “infrared sauna,” but it looks more like a sleeping bag than a spa experience.
I zip myself in and use this time to read or scroll through my (meticulously curated) Instagram feed.
I’m intentional about what I consume.
My Instagram feed is filled with accounts that educate, inspire, or uplift me.
Whether I’m reading a book, listening to an audiobook, or learning something new online, this part of my routine feeds my mind with positive, growth-oriented content.
4. Get a Great Workout
Finally, I make time to move.
This might be 10–20 minutes of cardio or lifting weights.
Something that helps me win the battle of my body.
Just like my mind doesn’t naturally drift toward positive thoughts, my body doesn’t naturally want to work out.
But movement is essential for physical health, mental clarity, and energy.
A quick workout reminds me that I’m capable of doing hard things even when I don’t feel like it.
The “Four G’s” of My Morning Routine
Looking at my routine, it really comes down to what I call the Four G’s:
1. Gratitude – Starting the day with thankfulness.
2. God – Centering my thoughts on scripture and faith.
3. Good Reads – Feeding my mind with positive, educational content.
4. Great Workout – Moving my body to kickstart energy and focus.
Find What Works for You
At the end of the day, a great morning routine is about finding what works for you.
Whether it’s journaling, meditation, or something else entirely, the goal is the same: Take control of your mind and focus on what truly matters.
Consistency > perfection.
