3 Morning Habits You Should Stop If You Really Want to Optimize Your Routine
Over the past decade, early rising and morning rituals have gained a sort of mystique appeal.
Countless CEOs, professional athletes, and other high performers swear by their morning routine and what it does for them. I can’t knock it, rising early and adopting a consistent morning routine has done wonders for me as well.
But while there’s a lot of talk about what you should be doing when you wake up in the morning, the morning rituals that will help lead you to success and happiness, there’s very little conversation about the things you shouldn’t be doing.
If the goal is to increase productivity and get the most out of life, you can’t just wake up and do a few positive things. You need a complete plan to maximize your time and get the most from each morning, and that also includes nixing a few things that are liable to hold you back.
For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.– Steve Jobs
Fortunately, avoiding harmful morning habits can be much easier than adopting new positive ones.
Here are some morning habits you should stop ASAP:
1. Coffee
Yup, sorry, I went for the jugular on this one. I know how much many of you love your morning cup, but it’s got to go if you want to get the most out of each morning and day.
Points can be made about how coffee leaves a bit to be desired in the health department, however, what I’m really pinpointing here is caffeine consumption.
The problem with coffee is that there’s nothing in it that offsets the negative effects of the caffeine. So, while it gives you a fresh jolt of energy at first, very quickly (and much more over time) your energy drops back down and you start to feel jittery and frantic, which can lead to feelings of anxiety.
The good news? You can come over to the dark side and switch to tea. Particularly, green tea. That’s because green tea has something called L Theanine, which actually offsets the jitters and anxiousness caused by the caffeine with a calming and soothing effect.
However, don’t think it’s going to make you soft. The combination of caffeine and L Theanine have actually shown to improve focus better than caffeine alone.
2. Your snooze alarm
I know, I’m hitting pretty hard here. No caffeine or sleeping in? However, if you want to maximize your morning and develop good habits, you need to get used to hitting the ground running at the same time each day.
There will be times when you’ll need to catch up on a little sleep and end up sleeping in. However, for the most part, it’s best not to condition yourself to use a snooze alarm, as this encourages laziness and inconsistency.
A powerful morning routine is all about consistency. So, if you can wake up at a consistent time (doesn’t have to be on the dot but within a half hour or so), that will help condition the behavior you're trying to implement and support your entire morning ritual.
3. And your smartphone
Whether it’s checking Facebook, scrolling through Instagram, or wasting your time watching random YouTube videos, your smartphone is a black hole whose favorite thing to eat is time– and lots of it.
Most of us have the habit of waking up and immediately checking our smartphones, social being the most prominent part of that. This is a horrible way to start off the day because you train your brain to immediately go into a vegetative state instead of a proactive one.
On top of this, checking your smartphone can interfere with the peace of the morning. Outside drama and thoughts of work and business are inevitably going to creep in by plugging in and you want to maintain your morning routine as a kind of sanctuary for nourishing your mind and body.
Instead of checking your smartphone first thing in the morning, choose to do something physical like jumping jacks or a quick run to get the blood flowing and wake you up.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.