The Anti-Morning Routine That Works

Everywhere you turn, there's another guru preaching the gospel of elaborate morning routines. Ice baths, sunrise meditations, journaling for an hour, and sipping matcha tea while aligning your chakras or reading 20 chapters in your Bible.

It sounds great in theory, but who actually has time for that? I got freakin' kids who wake up earlier than I do so none of that is going to work for me. Here’s the truth...

Success doesn’t come from what you do at 6 a.m. It comes from eliminating the friction that holds you back from taking action. And the best way to do that? Plan your morning the night before.

Let’s break it down.

Why Morning Routines Are Overrated

The idea behind morning routines is solid: start your day with intention. But when your "routine" turns into a production rivaling a Broadway show, you’re just wasting time.

The real problem with these rituals is that they assume your mornings are the best time for creativity, focus, and decision-making. But mornings are only as good as the foundation you’ve laid the night before.

If you’re stumbling around half-awake, making decisions on the fly, you’re setting yourself up for failure before the day even starts.

The Power of Winning the Night Before

By the time 10 p.m. rolls around, your brain is cooked. Don’t fight it. Use that time to prep for tomorrow and eliminate decision fatigue.

The less you have to think in the morning, the more energy you can put toward meaningful work.

Here’s how to take control of your evening and crush your day:

1. Lay Out Your Outfit

It sounds simple because it is. Choose your clothes the night before and set them out where you can grab them in seconds. No more standing in front of your closet debating what to wear while the clock ticks away.

2. Put Your Phone Out of Reach

Your phone is a double-edged sword. Keeping it next to your bed means you’ll be tempted to scroll through social media or check emails before sleeping—and the moment you wake up. Instead, place it out of arm’s reach. You’ll fall asleep faster and start your morning without the immediate pull of notifications. And a little tip...buying a $20 alarm clock has done wonders replacing my phone for me.

3. Write Down Your Top 3 Priorities

Before you go to bed, take five minutes to write down the three things you absolutely need to accomplish the next day. Don’t overload yourself with a massive to-do list. Focus on what truly moves the needle. When you wake up, you’ll know exactly where to start.

4. Set a Clear Starting Point

Decide when and how your day will begin. Whether it’s hitting the gym, diving into your first task, or spending time with your family, clarity eliminates wasted time. When the alarm goes off, you already know your next move.

Why This Works

When your mornings are friction-free, you’re able to focus on what matters instead of wasting energy making decisions. You’ll sleep better, feel less stressed, and hit the ground running—without ice baths, hilltop meditations, or a guru-approved checklist.

So forget about perfect mornings and focus on intentional evenings.

Get started tonight:

• Lay out your outfit
• Move your phone out of reach
• Write down your top priorities

That's it!

Win your night, dominate your day, and leave the guru routines for someone else.

This isn’t about following a formula—it’s about creating momentum.

You don’t need a complicated system. You just need to remove the obstacles between you and the actions that matter.

The night is yours—own it.