I start my day with purpose. Every morning, I check my goals and set clear priorities. It changed how I live and work. This one habit slices through distraction and directs my energy toward activities that produce tangible results. As a leader of a high-producing real estate team, there are numerous moving components. Without direction, it's simple to get bogged down. Laying out priorities early keeps me focused and prepared for whatever comes my way. I also take a moment to reflect and connect with my purpose. It helps me stay strong and focused on helping families. This simple step helps me stay strong and focused. Real estate moves quickly. Stress accumulates quickly. Connecting with myself before the day becomes insane keeps me grounded and capable of making thoughtful decisions. It also helps me stay connected with why the work matters, which motivates me. This morning ritual impacts everything in my day. My team performs better since I'm more clearly directing them. Clients are better served since I'm fully present. When difficult issues confront me, I tackle them with confidence. Working multiple priorities or leading a team must start with quieting the mind and setting clear intentions at the start of each day.
I used to get straight to work after breakfast and while it seemed good for my productivity, it meant that I started the day with this rushed energy of "I need to get all of these things done." Now, I take around 10 to 20 minutes to regulate first. I do some eye yoga to stimulate my vagus nerve, calmy visualize myself doing my most important task of the day, and then feel into what else my body might need. Sometimes that's to move a bit, other times it might mean doing some breathwork. This little routine allows me to get to work in a more grounded way, coming from a place of "I choose to do this" rather than "I should do all of this."
One morning habit that changed everything? I stop waking up to email and started clearing my mind. Instead of thinking of the people who sent me emails, I take 10 minutes of quiet time writing down whatever's rumbling in my head, something that will inspire me and something that I have to work on. It's like having a head-clearing attic sort-out in before the postman and the rest of the house wake up. The benefit? I get a head start on the insanity and set my mood for the day, instead of it being set for me by my schedule. Bonus: I'm a heck of a lot less likely to respond to client emails with "per my last nightmare..."
The game-changer for me has been my 5:30 AM workout routine, which I started when scaling Dirty Dough Cookies and haven't stopped since. Between managing multiple franchises and having three kids, this early morning time is sacred - it's when I plan my day and listen to business podcasts while on the treadmill. I've noticed that on days I skip this routine, my energy levels drop significantly by afternoon meetings, so I really protect this time slot.
Hi, I'm Sari, a mum and CEO. I have been an entrepreneur for 12 years. When I started my journey, I felt I had all the same opportunities as the men in business I would meet. Then... I became a mum. No one told me how hard it was going to be, trying to be a present, intentional and loving mum, while running a business. The whirlwind of the day would sweep me up, and I stopped making progress towards my business goals. The morning routine that saved me, is I now spend the first 1.5 hours of each day working towards my goals. Even if that means getting up extra early. Instead of starting my day by getting lost in the whirlwind of the day, I'm now setting aside time each morning to work towards my business goals.
For me, the most significant shift in my morning routine has been 10 minutes of clarity session before the responsibilities of the day begin; not productivity, not planning, just presence. As a woman entrepreneur carrying The Happy Food Company, my mind can instantly start launching into logistics before I even get out of bed: back to school supplies, shipping and delivery, customer inquiries, and marketing. I have learned that before I throw off energy to other things, I have to drop anchor first. I spend that time (typically with a cup of tea in hand) just checking in with respect to one simple question - What kind of leader do I want to be today? Although I am not referencing a to-do list, the whole thing is a ritualistic rhythm before I spend the day as a respondent versus being intentional. Being reminded I get to choose the pace, the mood, my voice as the business. Being intentional about tempo helps me be more moderately to lead by empathy versus a response to chaos - even on chaotic days. What I have learned: Structure in entrepreneurship is important; however, what individuals feel - your team, your customers, your brand - is your inner tempo. Deliberately give yourself a space to set your inner tempo before the world begins to make noise!
Finding a morning that worked for me and making it a priority has changed the way that I approach my day. My favorite tip is simple: give myself time. I leave plenty of time in my morning routine for breakfast, tea, and sometimes a walk. This allows me to mentally decompress before the day starts, which means I'm starting the day from a great mental space instead of rushed or anxious. While sometimes hitting snooze is tempting, I recognize the value of my slower mornings that translate into less-stressful and more productive workdays.
As a woman entrepreneur who runs a business like Cafely, one habit that I do every morning is clearing my mind. I don't check emails or messages right away. I make my very own cup of our Vietnamese coffee, sit quietly, and let my thoughts settle. I keep it just simple, focusing on inner peace before starting the day. For me, to-do lists are not enough to make your day productive; rather, having a clear mind that will help you focus more on tasks and create fresh ideas for the business should be a part of it. This totally made a big difference for me, and even in busy seasons, it helps me make thoughtful decisions instead of rushing through the day.