Two years ago, I was sabotaging my morning ritual.
I used to wake up, reach for my smartphone, open my email inbox, and start scrolling.
I told myself I was being “responsive”. Checking my Gmail 20 times a day was actually just damaging my productivity.
One client wanted “just 5 minutes” of my time. Another wanted a refund (he hadn’t bothered to read the instructions). A bad online review was threatened if I didn’t comply.
It was enough to make me tired before the day had fully started.
I realized once I got sucked into the email void, I spent very little time building my business.
Checking email was becoming an addiction. I kept interrupting my work, since the next one could be important. It got hard to focus deeply.
So here’s what I do now.
I eat breakfast first. Muesli. Bacon and eggs. Whatever gets me into a positive mindset. Then a few jumping jacks in the lounge if that’s all I have time for. Some days I hit the treadmill.
I write my goals for the day. Stick them on the wall to keep me on track.
Then, the most important part, I spend 90 minutes on something that builds my business. A strategy. My newsletter. A new project.
Only then do I check my email. I only open my inbox at certain times during the day.
Your inbox will always be full. Don’t let someone else’s urgency steal your morning.
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