Inspired ✨ Book

I didn’t think a book about mornings would shake me up the way this one did. I was scrolling through Audible one evening, craving something different—something practical but inspiring. My Morning Routine: How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired popped up, and I clicked on it almost out of curiosity more than intention. I thought, Maybe I’ll get one or two ideas to help me wake up earlier. What I didn’t expect was a chorus of voices—authors Benjamin Spall and Michael Xander, paired with the voices of high performers from all walks of life—sharing rituals that were more than just habits. They were reflections of purpose. Hearing it in audio form added something almost intimate, as though I was sitting across from each person over coffee, listening to how they carved out intention before the world could interfere. What struck me most was how human it all felt. No two routines were alike, and that gave me permission to find my own rhythm instead of trying to mimic someone else’s. These eight lessons weren’t just interesting—they rearranged my mindset. If you listen, they just might do the same for you.

Your Morning Starts the Night Before: One of the most recurring themes in the book is that a solid morning doesn’t magically appear—it’s built the night before. That hit me hard. I used to blame my sluggish mornings on everything but my late-night habits. But once I heard multiple voices in the book connect the dots between nighttime decisions and daytime clarity, it clicked. Now I ask myself each night: “Am I setting tomorrow up for success or sabotage?” It’s a small shift, but it’s helped me reclaim my mornings.

You Don’t Need to Be a 5 AM Warrior: The relief I felt when successful people in the book admitted they didn’t all wake up at 5 AM—I can’t even explain. For so long, I thought there was only one version of a “good morning.” But this book destroyed that myth. What matters isn’t the time on the clock—it’s what you do with the time you have. That freed me from guilt and helped me focus more on how I start my day, not when.

Movement Wakes Up More Than the Body: Whether it was stretching, walking, or hitting the gym, nearly every person interviewed included some kind of movement. And the way they spoke about it wasn’t just about fitness—it was about energy. It made me realize that my brain wakes up faster when my body does. I’ve started doing five minutes of movement in the morning—nothing extreme, just enough to get the blood flowing. It’s like flipping a switch inside me that says, “Okay, let’s go.”

. Stillness is a Superpower: So many routines in the book included meditation, prayer, or journaling. And not all were long or complicated. Just a few minutes of stillness—before screens, before tasks—made a big difference in how people showed up in their day. That really spoke to me. I used to grab my phone first thing, letting the world flood into my head before I’d even had a chance to think my own thoughts. Now, I start with silence. And I’ve never felt more grounded.

Consistency Beats Complexity: This one hit home. A few people had elaborate routines, but most kept it simple. The key wasn’t what they did—it was doing it consistently. Hearing this repeatedly drove it in deep: I don’t need the perfect routine. I need a repeatable one. So I stopped overthinking it. I picked three things I could realistically do each morning—and stuck with them. That rhythm has become my anchor.

How You Start Shapes How You Lead: There were several CEOs, creators, and leaders interviewed, and one thing was clear—they don’t leave their mornings to chance. Not because they’re control freaks, but because they understand that how they begin their day affects how they lead others. That made me ask myself: Am I starting from a place of reaction or intention? Even if I’m not leading a company, I’m leading my life—and I need to show up like it matters.

Routines Change—and That’s Okay: One of the most liberating lessons in the book is that routines evolve. Parents adjust theirs around kids. Entrepreneurs tweak theirs during busy seasons. No one had a “forever” routine. That gave me permission to adapt without guilt. It reminded me that seasons change, and my routine should reflect where I am, not where I think I should be.

. The First Hour Belongs to You: What stuck with me most is this: no matter what’s going on in life—deadlines, family, noise—the first hour of the day is mine. It’s the one time I can protect before the demands of the world flood in. That idea turned into a mindset. Now, I treat my mornings like sacred ground. Whether I have 60 minutes or just 15, I guard that space. It’s where I set my tone, my pace, and my priorities