Let’s be honest—most of us don’t have the time or energy to follow some “CEO morning routine” we saw on YouTube.
And if you’ve ever tried sticking to a strict routine only to feel more tired, frustrated, or just totally over it by day three… Yeah, same.
Here’s how I figured out a routine that actually works—no guilt, no 5 AM alarms, no “optimize your life” nonsense.
☀️ Don’t Try to Be Perfect—Just Start Small
- Seriously, don’t build some ideal day from scratch.
- Think about how your day already flows—just tweak it.
- If you crash after lunch, stop booking heavy stuff then.
- If you hate mornings, don’t force them to be magical.
🔍 Try this first:
Write down what a normal day looks like. Then ask yourself:
- 👉 “Where do I usually feel off?”
- 👉 “What part of the day feels the most scattered?”
🎯 Pick Just 2–3 Things That Matter
Too many goals = no progress. Let go of the pressure to do it all.
🧠 Each day, ask:
- What has to get done today?
- What can wait?
- What’s not mine to carry?
Stick to the top 2–3 things. The rest? Bonus.
☕ Mornings Don’t Have to Be Magical
You don’t need a fancy ritual. You need something that gets you going.
⚡ Simple ways to start:
- Drink a full glass of water
- Sit for 60 seconds before touching your phone
- Stretch, open a window, or walk a bit
- Write down one thing you want to finish today
That’s it. No journaling, yoga, or sunrise selfies required (unless you want that).
🧩 Break the Day into Chunks, Not Minutes
Scheduling every hour sounds good on paper, but most of us don’t live in a planner.
🥪 Split your day like this:
- Morning (wake-up to lunch)
- Afternoon (post-lunch to dinner)
- Evening (after dinner till bed)
Pick one task that matters for each block. Done. Even if your afternoon goes off the rails, you’ve already had a solid morning.
⚡ Use Random Gaps for Small Wins
No time? You probably have micro-moments all over.
⏱️ Use:
- 5 mins while waiting for food
- 3 mins during a break
- 2 mins after a call ends early
What to do in them?
- Text someone back
- Stretch your neck
- Jot an idea in your notes app
- Breathe and chill (seriously)
Tiny wins count too.
🔁 Repeat What’s Easy, Not What’s Fancy
Forget perfect routines. Aim for stuff that’s so simple, it becomes muscle memory.
✅ Try things like:
- Making your bed
- One full glass of water every morning
- Planning your top task on a sticky note
- Walking while on a phone call
None of this is flashy. But it works.
🍎 Eat Something. Seriously.
Productivity isn’t about skipping lunch. If you’re constantly tired or foggy, check your food situation.
🥗 Easy fixes:
- Keep snacks near your workspace
- Have a go-to breakfast you don’t hate
- Set a lunch timer if you forget to eat
Feed your brain. It’s not optional.
🧘♀️ Add Tiny Reset Points
Don’t wait till you’re burnt out to take a break. Add “reset” moments during your day.
🕐 When?
- After finishing a big task
- Before starting the next one
- Before dinner
You can:
- Stand and stretch
- Close your eyes for 2 mins
- Step outside for fresh air
Just do nothing for a bit. These tiny resets help more than you think.
🌙 Keep Evenings Chill—But Consistent
Winding down helps your brain know, “We’re done.”
🌃 Try:
- Dim the lights 30 mins before bed
- Put your phone on Do Not Disturb
- Do a brain dump (write all your worries/thoughts for tomorrow)
- Do one thing to clean your space—it helps you wake up calm
You don’t need the “perfect” night routine. Just something that signals the day is over.
🔄 Your Routine Should Bend, Not Break
Some days will be messy. You’ll skip stuff. You’ll feel off. And that’s okay.
🏖️ Your routine should adjust, not punish you.
- If you slept badly? Go easier.
- If you’re overwhelmed? Cut something.
- If you’re feeling good? Ride that wave.
Routines should support you, not control you.
💬 Final Thought: Your Routine = Your Rules
Forget the blogs that make it sound like you’re failing because you don’t meditate at sunrise or check emails in a suit. Your routine is yours. Not Instagram’s.
All that matters is:
- It fits your life
- It makes you feel a little more focused
- It helps you not feel like you’re constantly behind
That’s it.