Stephen Covey says that "the first thing is keeping the first thing the first thing." Every day (except Sunday) I start my morning around 6AM. I dress and go out in the hall (so as not to awake my wife) and I pray. I start my latest audiobook checkout on the OverDrive (you can listen to so many at 2x speed), open Strava, and run to the top of the nearest mountain, about 3 miles in all. I return and finish out my workout with 10 minutes of SworkIt followed by my current Darebee workout. I do essentially the same thing everyday for a month--that's what works for me. I read the Scriptures and a discourse from the most recent conference. I write in my journal. I study with my wife. Shower. Same breakfast. Work.
There is a lot more that I'd love to do with this morning routine. I'd like to integrate more thorough study, preparation, and writing for this blog. I'd like to deepen my prayers and study of the Scriptures--this is the true source of light in my life. I'd like to go for a walk with my wife, read the news, and keep up on my industry. I'd like to reclaim responsibility for making my own breakfast, which I delegated (along with everything else besides my thesis and washing the dishes) to my wife during grad school. I'm not quite there yet, but as I look back I realize how much more stable my morning routine has become.
My two takeaways from this morning routine: first, having a power hour strengthens me. It improves my focus at work and enhances my resistance to a sour mood. It helps me to serve the people around me more proactively.
Second, by doing first things first, they are done. I've committed to myself to do these things everyday, and when I start my day by doing what's most important, I do not have to go back on my to-do list. Done is an amazing feeling.