Why Most Morning Routines Fail (and How to Fix Yours)
Simplify, Energize, and Set Your Trading Day Up for Success
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Ten years ago, I stumbled into the world of self-improvement and quickly became obsessed with building the ultimate morning routine. My first self-improvement book? The iconic Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins. (If you haven’t read it, it’s a classic for a reason.)
At the time, my life wasn’t exactly thriving. I was stuck in a job I didn’t enjoy, surrounded by uninspiring people, and I had no clear direction. But beneath it all, there was this spark—a deep eagerness to grow, to understand more about myself, and to uncover what made people tick.
That spark started a fire.
One conversation with a work colleague, though, became a defining moment for me.
We were casually chatting about the old “if you could go back in time” scenario when she admitted:
"If I didn’t have so many responsibilities, I’d choose a different career. I don’t like being here."
I was stunned. She was only 34 years old!
It wasn’t just what she said that hit me—it was the realization of how easy it is to settle. Here she was, stuck in a job she hated, yet choosing it every single day. That was the moment I knew: I didn’t want to end up like that.
Sometimes, a perspective shift is just waiting for a spark. You just have to be open to it.
And I was.
The Power of Routine and Simplicity
My first step was redefining my daily routine. Tony says change starts with our habits—and the morning routine is a cornerstone. I knew that if I didn’t capitalize on my free time, I’d be a hostage of that job and become like my work colleague—my worst nightmare. So, I made that fear my biggest motivator.
Here’s the thing: when the consequences are harsh, the brain gets very creative at escaping them. Suddenly, the path to success isn’t about what you gain but what you’re running from.
A great example is Paul Tudor Jones, when he said his fear of losing big pushed him to adopt strict rules. In Money: Master the Game (a book I later devoured), he shared:
I've seen too many things go to zero, stocks and commodities. The whole trick in investing is: 'How do I keep from losing everything?' If you use the 200-day moving average rule, then you get out. You play defense, and you get out.
Inspired by Jones—and my own fear of mediocrity—I went all-in on the most complex morning routine imaginable.
At the time, my work was eating up 9, sometimes 11 hours a day. But I still had 5 hours I could control, and I took those hours seriously. I split them into two slots:
Two hours in the morning (prime time for my new routine).
Two hours after work (one of which went to the gym, aka my stress release valve).
Now, you know those gurus who swear by 10-step morning routines? Yeah, that was me.
Here’s how it went down:
Wake up.
Stretch for 10-15 minutes.
Meditate for 20 minutes.
Read a motivational book (whatever was on my bedside table).
Recite affirmations and a story about my future self (which, by the way, is hilarious to read now).
Finally, get ready for work.
I kept this up for months.
Did it fix my bigger problem?
Absolutely not. I knew quitting was the real solution—no routine could make me love that job.
But did it teach me something valuable?
Hell yes. Consistency. If I was capable of consistency with such a demanding routine, then I could commit to anything I’d set my mind to.