Mornings used to destroy me until I fixed these 7 mistakes

by Lachlan Brown | August 22, 2025, 1:04 pm

Mornings used to be my nemesis. They were a constant battle, sapping my energy and making me feel defeated before the day even began. 

Everything changed when I identified and rectified seven crucial mistakes I was making each morning. By tweaking my approach, mornings transformed from being my archenemy into my greatest ally.

In this article, I’ll share those seven game-changing tips that helped me conquer mornings.

These are not just tips from a mindfulness enthusiast but also practical advice that could be appreciated by anyone seeking to better their day, including academic, book or business writers who face the task of curating content each day.

Short, simple, yet transformative – read on to explore how you can reclaim your mornings too!

1) Waking up on autopilot

We all know the feeling of ‘waking up on the wrong side of the bed’. This was my regular morning experience. I would stumble out of bed, groggy and grumpy, and my day would follow suit.

But here’s the thing: Waking up isn’t just about getting out of bed. It’s a crucial time that sets the tone for the rest of your day. And my biggest mistake was waking up on autopilot, not being mindful of those initial moments of consciousness.

To fix this, I started to practice conscious awakening. Each morning, before rushing out of bed, I took a minute to breathe, stretch lightly, and set an intention for my day.

This simple act transformed my mornings from a blur into a clear, focused start to my day.

2) Skipping breakfast

The saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” might sound cliché, but it’s actually true – and I learned this the hard way.

In my quest to conquer mornings, I realized I was often skipping breakfast in a rush to start my work. I thought I was saving time, but what I was actually doing was setting myself up for a mid-morning energy crash.

To rectify this, I started making time for a simple, yet nutritious breakfast each morning. Even on my busiest days, I ensure I have at least a piece of fruit, a granola bar, or a smoothie.

I remember one particular day when I had an important presentation. I considered skipping breakfast to squeeze in some extra preparation time.

However, remembering my new resolution, I quickly ate an apple and had a glass of milk. Not only did I feel more energized during the presentation, but my mind was also sharper.

3) Neglecting mindfulness

Another significant mistake I was making was neglecting mindfulness in my morning routine. I’d wake up and immediately jump into action, reacting to emails and tasks without taking a moment to center myself.

However, I realized that those first few moments of the day are precious. They are an opportunity to cultivate a sense of presence and peace that can carry you through the rest of the day.

So, I began incorporating a short meditation into my morning routine. Just ten minutes each day to sit in silence, clear my mind, and set my intentions for the day.

This small practice had a big impact. Instead of feeling rushed and reactive, I felt calm and in control. My mornings became a time of peace and preparation, rather than chaos and stress.

As you begin your day with mindfulness, you’ll notice how it positively influences your mindset, productivity, and overall well-being.

4) Overloading the to-do list

There’s a common misconception that in order to be productive, our to-do list needs to be overflowing. This was another mistake I was making: overloading my morning to-do list.

Psychology tells us that our brains can only focus effectively on a limited number of tasks at a time. Overloading the list doesn’t increase productivity; instead, it leads to decreased focus and increased stress.

To address this, I started implementing the ‘1-3-5 rule’ in my morning routine. This rule suggests that each day you should aim to achieve one big thing, three medium things, and five small things.

By prioritizing and limiting my tasks in this way, I found that I was able to focus better and accomplish more. My mornings became not about how many tasks I could squeeze in, but about how effectively I could achieve my top priorities.

5) Resisting the snooze button

Now, this might sound counter-intuitive, but another mistake I was making was resisting the snooze button. Yes, you read that right. Let me explain.

When we wake up abruptly to an alarm, we often interrupt our sleep cycle at a deep stage, leading to feelings of grogginess. By hitting snooze and allowing yourself a few more minutes of rest, you can often wake up at a lighter stage of sleep, feeling more refreshed.

Of course, it’s essential to ensure that this doesn’t turn into oversleeping. A couple of short snoozes can be beneficial if you feel you need them.

Remember, it’s about listening to your body and giving it what it needs to start the day well.

As Thomas Dekker once said, “Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.” Don’t underestimate its power in shaping your mornings.

6) Ignoring physical activity

One of the biggest mistakes I was making was ignoring physical activity in the morning. It’s easy to underestimate the power of a bit of movement to kickstart your day.

Exercise not only boosts your metabolism but also triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good hormones. These endorphins can elevate your mood, increase your energy levels, and improve your overall cognitive function.

Adding physical activity to my morning routine didn’t just make me feel more energized and alert; it also improved my mood and set a positive tone for the rest of the day.

Don’t miss out on this powerful tool in shaping a productive and positive morning.

7) Starting the day with digital devices

In this digital age, it’s easy to fall into the trap of starting the day with our smartphones or laptops. I was guilty of this too, checking emails and social media before even getting out of bed.

However, I soon realized that this habit was causing unnecessary stress at the start of my day. Instead of beginning my day with calm and clarity, I was immediately bombarded with information and demands.

To change this, I decided to create a ‘digital-free’ zone for the first hour after waking up. Instead of reaching for my phone, I focused on my morning routine, spent time in mindfulness, and enjoyed my breakfast without distractions.

This small change had a significant impact. Not only did it reduce stress levels, but it also allowed me to start the day on my own terms.

Final thoughts: It’s all about balance

When it comes to mornings, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. What worked for me might not work for you.

However, the key lies in identifying the mistakes that are hindering your morning productivity and happiness, and then making the necessary changes.

Through this journey of transforming my mornings, I’ve learned that balance is crucial. It’s about balancing productivity with peace, action with mindfulness, and structure with flexibility.

As you reflect on your own mornings, consider the changes you could make.

Maybe it’s incorporating mindfulness into your routine or maybe it’s rethinking your relationship with the snooze button. Whatever it is, remember that small adjustments can lead to big transformations.

In the end, transforming your mornings isn’t just about making them more productive; it’s about making them a time of peace and purpose that sets a positive tone for the rest of your day.

As the old saying goes: The morning shows the day. Make yours count.

Lachlan Brown

Lachlan Brown is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Brown Brothers Media, a digital publishing network reaching tens of millions of readers monthly. He holds a Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies from Deakin University, though his real education came afterward: a warehouse job shifting TVs, a stretch of anxiety in his mid-twenties, and the slow discovery that studying the mind is not the same as learning how to live well. He started experimenting with Buddhist principles during breaks at the warehouse and eventually began writing about what he was learning. That writing became Hack Spirit, a widely read personal development site, and his book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism became a bestseller. His work breaks down complex ideas into frameworks people can apply immediately, whether they are navigating a career change, a difficult relationship, or the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. Lachlan splits his time between Singapore and Saigon. He writes about high-performance routines, decision-making under pressure, digital innovation, and the intersection of Eastern philosophy with modern life. His perspective comes from having built things from scratch, failed at some of them, and learned that clarity comes from practice, not theory.