It’s 7 a.m. on a scorching Monday morning in Austin.

As I get out of bed and walk to the bathroom, my back is aching, my neck is hurting, my quads are throbbing, and my fingers are curling in on themselves.

I have chronic muscle tension, and if I don’t stretch regularly, all the muscles down to the tips of my toes tighten me like Victor Hugo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Not only that, my dentist is telling me to floss more regularly, my yoga instructor is saying to drink water more regularly, and my thoughts race and jump so much, I have to meditate regularly to keep them in check.

In addition, I have stress and anxiety, which requires a number of things to maintain, like taking supplements and practicing gratitude.

All of this just brings me to a baseline mode of operation

It doesn't take into account the time for the book I am writing, sending out this weeks newsletter, or rehearsing the speech I’m giving.

Not to mention other hobbies or pursuits I have like exercise, salsa, as well as rock climbing.

As I’m laying in bed thinking about all of this...

I have a startlingly realization...

We humans require a lot to stay physically healthy, mentally fit, emotionally stable, and at the same time, professionally productive.

- Physically, we need to stretch, exercise, eat well, and drink plenty of water through out the day. 

- Mentally, we need positivity like affirmations, meditation, and self-care.

- Emotionally, we need everything from prayer, gratitude, and more.

Again, that's just to achieve a functional baseline.

None of that includes time and effort for other pursuits whether for school, work, or hobbies.

What's more, you don't get results by doing them once!

They need to be done over and over - day in and day out, week after week, and month after month - for the rest of my life!

The moment I stop in any one area, is the moment I begin falling back in that area.

Since there are so many items that need to be done, and since they need to be done so often, it’s hard to keep up, let alone remember to keep up.

Somedays, I get exercise in, but not writing. Other days I am on fire with the writing, but miss stretching. Somedays I do them all, but others none. 

Since my focus is on a million things, I don't progress in any one.

No matter what ditch I climb out of, I fall further in another.

I can’t shake the feeling that there has to be more to life than this crazy pattern

So I started researching successful people.

I began how successful people manage all this and a common thread that might lead to a more productive and fulfilling life.

That's when I stumbled upon the answer.

A deceptively simply strategy to manage all this...

That's with a Morning Routine

I read about CEOs who wake up at 4 AM to meditate and exercise, writers who pen their best work in the early hours, and entrepreneurs who claim their morning rituals are the secret to their success.

I also learned how much people at the very top of success like Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, and Tony Robbins attribute their success to their well-crafted morning rituals. 

In fact, anyone who operates at a high level swears by a morning routine.

Intrigued, I decided to give it a shot

I took the more important and pressing tasks & activities I wanted to do on a regular basis, and combined them into a routine I did every morning.

The result?

In under 3 months, I wrote a book, got a six pack, and became more flexible.

My mind became clearer, less anxious, and more focused, which allowed me to complete more tasks and achieve more goals.

More importantly, my chronic muscle tension stopped becoming an issue as the items in the routine addressed them daily.

In fact, people regularly comment on my posture.

All from 1 hour in the morning.

As I continue with my morning routine, I notice a remarkable change in my life

I am more focused, productive, and energetic

I tackle tasks with newfound enthusiasm and creativity

Even my relationships are improving.

Simply from putting in a little effort in the part of the day that normally goes to waste. 

If you would like to learn how to achieve results like this, you can with my mini-course The 1 Hour Morning.