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Have you ever found yourself putting out fires nonstop — even before you’ve had the chance to finish your morning coffee? What if I told you that you can put an end to those kinds of days forever? On this episode of Boss Foundations, we’re talking about strategy, the third and final pillar of the Boss Foundations framework, and I’m going to share with you one of my best strategies for staying sane, particularly when you’re super stressed. Having a morning routine A good, solid morning routine allows you to start your day with intention instead of reaction. It’s the difference between meeting the day head-on and running your day versus being exhausted because your day ran you. Beginning with a morning routine allows you to gather your energy, sort out everything you have to do, and begin the day with calm and quiet in your head. Even if plans change, and even if you get tired, at the end of the day, you’ll feel a massive sense of accomplishment for everything you got done. One of the more common objections to beginning a morning routine is not having enough time for one. You can’t possibly wake up earlier or add yet another item to your to-do list — but ironically enough, having one in place gives you back more hours in your day, because you’re knocking out to-do items more quickly and effectively. Let me tell you about my morning routine. Taking my dog out and giving him breakfast I like taking care of the needs of someone who depends on me first before I proceed with the rest of my routine. In certain circumstances, you may not be able to do this before the rest of your routine, so I share some tips on how to modify this action. Physical therapy stretches and exercise Starting your day with movement has what psychologists call a grounding affect: it makes you aware of your body and where you are in that space and time. It doesn’t matter if it’s gentle stretching or running a 10k, the point is to move your body for at least a few minutes. Breakfast There’s a reason breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Aside from nutritional benefits, it gives me a sense of calm and I don’t need to worry about getting hungry when I work! Review and plan I go through my notes and weekly task list and write down my plan for the day. Physically writing things down helps direct your thoughts and kickstart your brain, and by visualizing your plan, you make it more likely to achieve. I use a physical journal to do this, and I walk you through each step of this action in more detail. Final thoughts You don’t necessarily need to have all of these elements in your routine, and you don’t have to do them in the same order I do. Eventually, you’re going to decide what’s important to you and you’ll create your own routine from there. Share your story Do you already have an existing morning routine? What are your favorite steps, and how do they make you feel more productive? Let me know in our Facebook Group! Resources Sabbatical Beauty Facebook Group Sabbatical Beauty Episode Guide