Your First Hour

In a world where urgency dominates and distractions multiply, how you begin your day isn’t just preparation; it’s an act of leadership.

Think about it: The first 60 minutes of your day set the tone for everything that follows. This is when your mind is freshest and least bogged down by the noise of the world. If you fill this time with email notifications, news headlines, or rushing to solve other people’s problems, you’re handing over the reins of your attention before the day even begins.

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The alternative is simple but profound: Reserve this time for you. Start the day by grounding yourself in clarity, mindfulness, and purpose. By controlling your first hour, you reframe the rest of your day. The result? Greater focus, better decisions, and a calm resilience you carry into even the busiest boardrooms.

When I coach executives on morning routines, I remind them of this principle: your AM begins the night before. Sleep fuels clarity. Screens, emails, and endless to-do lists late at night sabotage this. Commit to a digital sunset. Turn off electronics 30 to 60 minutes before bed. Create a calming ritual (such as light stretching or journaling) to prepare yourself for restful sleep.

With rest as your foundation, you’re ready for a mindful morning. Here’s how I recommend using your first hour:

Step 1: Breathe Before You Begin

Before you grab your phone or turn on a screen, take five minutes to sit quietly and breathe. The simplest practice is to follow your inhale and exhale, gently guiding your thoughts back to your breath when they wander. This is a form of meditation that shifts you from reactive autopilot to intentional presence.

If five minutes seems daunting, start with two. Even two mindful breaths can begin to retrain your mind. Remember, this isn’t about clearing your thoughts; it’s about observing them without judgment.

Step 2: Gratitude and Growth

Take three minutes to mentally or physically list three things you’re grateful for. They can be big (your health, family, work) or small (a good cup of coffee, the sunlight streaming through the window). Gratitude is grounding, and it trains your mind to focus on abundance rather than scarcity.

Next, spend five minutes journaling. If journaling feels new, start with this prompt: What would make today a great day? This practice is about creating clarity and momentum for the day ahead.

Step 3: Win Before You Work

The morning is when your brain is at its peak for strategic thinking. Before opening your inbox, ask yourself: What is the one most important thing I can accomplish today? Prioritize work that requires your creativity and focus, not other people’s urgency.

Your morning isn’t just preparation for the day; it’s the day’s foundation. Use this pristine time to lay the first brick of progress, creating a wins-first mindset that energizes you for whatever comes next.

Why It Works

The irony of slowing down your morning is that it speeds up your entire day. Mindfulness in the first hour creates space between stimulus and response, which is the space where better decisions are made. By observing what’s happening in your mind before the rush begins, you increase your ability to respond wisely rather than react impulsively.

The CEOs I’ve worked with describe this practice as a “game-changer.” They come to their workdays calmer and sharper. But perhaps the greatest transformation happens within themselves: they feel more present, more in control, and more connected to their work, families, and even their sense of purpose.

Start Small

If this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. Your morning routine doesn’t need to be perfect. Start with just one of these steps: maybe two mindful breaths or a single sentence of gratitude. Build slowly. Progress will naturally follow.

Remember, the goal isn’t to create a rigid schedule. It’s to create space to grow, reflect, and lead from your calm, focused best self.

So, this morning, take a breath. Notice the silence. Let gratitude arise. Start mindfully. Because how you spend your first hour isn’t just a habit, it’s a statement of who you are and who you’re becoming.

Until next time, Sherif

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