Mornings set the tone for your entire day. As someone who has studied productivity habits for over 15 years and coached hundreds of busy professionals, I’ve found that what you do in the first hour after waking can either waste precious time or give you a head start on your day.
The simple 5-step routine I’m about to share has helped my clients save at least 20 minutes every single morning. That adds up to more than 2 hours per week or over 100 hours per year! Imagine what you could do with that extra time.
Why Most Morning Routines Fail
Before going into the 5 steps, let me tell you why most morning routines don’t work.
In my experience, most people:
- Try to change too many habits at once
- Choose complicated routines they saw on social media
- Don’t account for their personal energy levels
- Create unrealistic schedules that they can’t stick to
The routine I’m sharing avoids these common mistakes. It’s simple enough for anyone to follow, requires minimal willpower, and actually gives you time back rather than taking more of it.
5-Step Time-Saving Morning Routine
Step 1: Prepare Tomorrow’s Essentials Tonight (5 minutes)
What to do:
- Put out your clothes for tomorrow
- Pack your lunch (or prep ingredients)
- Place your keys, wallet/purse, and other must-haves by the door
- Check your calendar and make a simple 3-item to-do list
How it saves time: When I started coaching Sarah, a busy mom of three, she spent nearly 15 minutes each morning frantically searching for matching socks, her car keys, and lunch containers. By spending 5 minutes the night before gathering everything, she gained 10 extra minutes every morning.
Pro tip: Keep a dedicated “morning launch pad” near your door where everything you need is collected.
Step 2: Set Your Clothes and Shower Items in the Bathroom (2 minutes)
What to do:
- Place tomorrow’s clothes in the bathroom
- Make sure your towel is hanging where you need it
- Set out any personal care products you’ll use
How it saves time: This simple step eliminates the back-and-forth between rooms that wastes precious morning minutes. My client Tom, a sales executive, told me he saved 7 minutes every morning just by having everything ready in the bathroom.
Pro tip: Keep a minimal set of frequently used toiletries in a small basket that’s always ready.
Step 3: Use the “One-Touch Rule” (Ongoing)
What to do:
- Handle each item only once
- When you pick something up, put it where it belongs
- Complete small tasks immediately
How it saves time: The “one-touch rule” stops clutter before it starts. When you check your mail, immediately sort it rather than creating a pile to deal with later. When you take off your jacket, hang it up rather than tossing it on a chair. These small actions save precious minutes searching for things.
I wasted 5-8 minutes every morning looking for items until I adopted this habit. Now, everything has a place, and I can find what I need instantly.
Pro tip: For each area in your home, ask, “What activities happen here?” and organize accordingly.
Step 4: The 10-Minute Kitchen Setup (10 minutes)
What to do:
- Set up your coffee maker the night before
- Put your breakfast items in one specific area
- Use a timer for breakfast preparation
How it saves time: Kitchen inefficiency is a major time drain. My client Maria used to spend 25 minutes every morning making breakfast and cleaning up. After we reorganized her kitchen workflow, she now completes the same tasks in just 10 minutes.
Pro tip: Consider batch-preparing breakfast items on weekends (like overnight oats or egg muffins).
Step 5: The “No-Phone First Hour” Rule (Saves countless minutes)
What to do:
- Keep your phone outside your bedroom
- Don’t check email, news, or social media until after your routine is complete
- Use a regular alarm clock instead of your phone
How it saves time: This might be the most powerful step. Research shows that the average person spends 12-15 minutes on their phone within minutes of waking up. That time often stretches longer as you get pulled into emails or social media.
I’ve tracked this with dozens of clients, and phone distraction commonly adds 15+ minutes to morning routines.
Pro tip: If you must check your phone, set a strict 2-minute timer.
A Real Morning Using This Routine
Here’s how this routine looks in practice:
6:30 AM: Wake up (alarm is across the room, forcing you to get up) 6:31 AM: Use the bathroom (clothes and toiletries already waiting) 6:45 AM: Head to the kitchen where coffee is ready to brew 6:47 AM: Prepare simple breakfast with pre-organized ingredients 6:55 AM: Eat breakfast 7:10 AM: Quick clean-up 7:15 AM: Grab your pre-packed bag and items from your “launch pad” 7:20 AM: Out the door!
Compare this to a disorganized morning where you might still be searching for matching socks or a clean travel mug at 7:20.
Common Problems and Solutions
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| I keep snoozing my alarm | Place your alarm across the room |
| I get distracted easily | Use a simple checklist on your bathroom mirror |
| My kids disrupt my routine | Prepare their items the night before too |
| I’m not motivated in the morning | Start with just one step for a week |
How to Start This Routine
Don’t try to implement all five steps at once. Start with Step 1 for one week. Once that becomes a habit, add Step 2, and so on.
In my years working with clients, I’ve found that those who try to change everything at once almost always fail. Those who add one small step at a time succeed about 80% of the time.
Science Behind Why This Works
This routine works because it:
- Reduces decision fatigue – When you make decisions the night before, you save your limited willpower for more important things.
- Uses habit stacking – Each step naturally leads to the next, creating a flow
- Eliminates transition waste – Moving between tasks and spaces is where most time gets lost
- Prevents distraction creep – The no-phone rule stops the biggest time thief
Research from the University of Southern California shows that having clear routines reduces stress hormones and increases feelings of control, which further improves efficiency.
Beyond the Time Savings – Additional Benefits
While saving 20 minutes is great, my clients report these additional benefits:
- Lower stress levels throughout the day
- Better productivity at work
- More patience with family members
- Consistent arrival times (no more being late!)
- Feeling “ahead” of the day rather than behind
Customizing This Routine for Your Life
The core principles will work for anyone, but you should adjust the specifics for your situation:
For parents: Focus heavily on the night-before prep and create a parallel simple routine for kids.
For night owls: You don’t need to wake up at 5 AM. This routine works at any time. Just be realistic about how long you need to get ready.
For minimalists: Simplify even further by reducing the number of decisions you need to make (for example, create a capsule wardrobe).
My Personal Experience
I wasn’t born organized. In fact, I was the kid who always forgot their homework and couldn’t find matching socks. As an adult, I was constantly running late until I developed this system.
The biggest change came when I started setting out clothes the night before. Such a simple step, but it eliminated the daily “wardrobe crisis” that wasted precious minutes.
Now, 15 years later, my morning routine runs like clockwork. The best part? It doesn’t feel rushed or stressful. By eliminating wasted time, I actually have a few minutes to sit with my coffee and plan my day.
20-Minute Challenge
I challenge you to try Step 1 of this routine for one week. Track how much time it saves you. Most people are surprised to find it’s more than they expected.
After a week, add Step 2, and so on. Within a month, you’ll have established a routine that gives you back at least 20 minutes every morning.
What will you do with your extra 20 minutes? Sleep longer? Read? Exercise? The choice is yours, but I promise you’ll notice the difference in how your entire day unfolds.
Conclusion
A morning routine doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming to be effective. By focusing on simple preparation and eliminating common time-wasters, you can create a smooth start to your day while actually saving time.
Remember: The goal isn’t to fill every minute with productivity. The goal is to make your morning efficient so you have more time for what truly matters to you.
Try these 5 steps, adapt them to your needs, and watch how your mornings—and your entire day—transform.
FAQ: Morning Routine Questions
Q: How long will it take to form this into a habit? A: Research shows that new habits take between 18-254 days to form, with an average of 66 days. Start with one step and give yourself at least two months of consistent practice.
Q: What if I have very early work hours? A: The routine scales to any schedule. The key is preparation the night before, which works regardless of what time you wake up.
Q: Can children follow this routine, too? A: Absolutely! Children thrive on routine and predictability. Simplify the steps for younger children and use visual cues (like pictures of tasks) to help them remember.
Q: What’s the most common reason people fail with this routine? A: Based on my coaching experience, it’s trying to change too much at once. Start small and build gradually.
Q: Is this suitable for weekends too? A: Many of my clients use a modified version on weekends. The core principles—preparation and reducing distractions—still apply even if your timing is more relaxed.
