Guy Reams (00:00.834)
This is day 61, protecting the sacred time. There's something magical about the stillness of a morning before the world starts demanding your attention. It's in these quiet moments that you can reflect, recharge, set the tone for the day. But let's be honest, carving out uninterrupted time isn't always easy. Life happens, people barge in, phones buzz, plans get derailed. So how do you keep your morning ritual sacred?
It's not rocket science, but it does require a mix of intention, discipline, and a touch of creativity. Here's my take on how you can claim those precious morning minutes and protect them like the treasures that they are. First, you own the clock. Let's face it, mornings aren't a free-for-all. You've got to own your schedule. Waking up before the chaos begins is half the battle.
Whether it's 5 or 7 a.m., find your golden hour when distractions are at the lowest. Stick to it and make it non-negotiable. A consistent wake-up time trains your body and mind to expect this routine. It's like telling yourself, this is my time and I'm worth it. Second, the power of no. Setting boundary isn't just about telling others what they can't do. It's about teaching them to respect what you need.
This is your sacred time. Let your household, coworkers, and anyone else who tends to hijack your mornings know this is my quiet time. I'll check in with you after. It might feel awkward at first, but people will adapt. And when they see the focused, energized version of you later, they'll understand why you prioritized it. Third, design your sanctuary. Your environment matters more than you think. Pick a spot that
Feels like you, maybe it's a cozy corner with a journal and your favorite pen or a sunny nook for sipping coffee and meditating or whatever your favorite drink is. Come to think of it, I don't drink coffee. Why did I say that? Anyway, you can try anything you want, but find a nice place for sitting, relaxing, meditating, drinking your favorite drink, maybe even eating your favorite morning snack, whatever it is. Keep it free of clutter, however, and distractions.
Guy Reams (02:21.396)
I have a habit of piling things up in my sacred sanctuary and then I don't want to go there anymore. So this also includes your phone. Don't bring your phone into your sanctuary. Bonus points if you can actually physically shut yourself off with a closed door, noise counseling headphones, visual auditory piece or game changers for having quiet moments.
If you can't hear the interruption, then you won't reply to the interruption, right? Fourth, plan before chaos. Ever notice how easy it is to skip your ritual when you wake up unprepared? Do yourself a favor. Set up the night before. Lay out everything you need. Lay out your workout clothes. Make sure your journal's in the right spot. get your fruit. For those of you who drink coffee, get it ready. For those of you
Who drink tea get that ready for those of you who don't drink any of those things get whatever it is that that Signifies to its morning time. I don't drink coffee or tea or things like that But I do like to make sure that I have the water for the day already Preset so I've got so I start with my Morning water that I drink. I try to get enough water throughout the day
and it always causes me a massive amount of stress. So I like having that ready to go. Also, you can handle potential distractions in advance. If you get an email that's been nagging you, answer it before bed. Preempt your interruption so your morning isn't sabotaged before it actually starts. Fifth, put all tech on lockdown. Obviously, I'm a very pro tech guy. I do it for a living.
But mornings should be notification free. Do not disturb. Silence all apps. Get rid of all the scrolling for later or never at all or not at all. If your phone tempts you too much, put it away. Charge it somewhere else. Six, small wins do add up. If it feels too hectic to carve out an hour every morning, just start with 10 minutes every morning. 10 minutes of journaling, five minutes of stretching, whatever.
Guy Reams (04:41.4)
Build the habit, then gradually expand it later. The key is doing it consistently, even if it's a small step. 7. Protect the sacred. Treat your morning ritual like an important meeting, because it is. It's a date with yourself, your priorities, and your future dreams. Once you start to view it as sacred, you'll find it easier to guard from interruptions.
Also, adjust, don't just abandon. know, things go awry just because you miss up a little thing doesn't mean you need to throw the whole thing out. Life will throw curve balls, kids, emergencies, late night work, deadlines. But here's the trick, flexibility without flakiness. You should allow yourself flexibility but not allow yourself to flick out completely. If something derails you, adapt.
Shift your ritual to later in the day or pare it down. Just don't skip it. Stay committed. Even when you're in the imperfect times, keep the habit alive. Ninth, reflect, refine, repeat. Take stock of what's working and what is not. Are certain distractions popping up all the time? Find ways to preempt those distractions. Are you loving the ritual you built? Lean into it even more. And don't forget to celebrate your wins.
Every time you have an uninterrupted morning, consider that a major victory. Notice how it shifts your mood, your focus, and your energy. That's the fuel that keeps you going. Here's the absolute truth. The world isn't going to hand you uninterrupted time. You have to claim it, guard it, earn it, own it, build your day around it. And when you do, you realize the real reward isn't just a productive morning. It's a life that feels grounded, intentional, and entirely yours.
Commit to your mornings and watch how everything else changes in your day.