If your mornings begin with email and chaos, your day turns into firefighting—and your priorities quietly disappear. In this article, Jef Menguin shares a practical morning routine that helps you reset your mind, choose your One Move, and start with momentum. Use it tomorrow, then pass it on at work so more people lead their day instead of surviving it.
Have you ever walked into the office and felt the energy just… missing? People are at their desks, but no one seems excited. It’s like everyone’s waiting for something to jump-start their day.
You’re not alone.
One manager I worked with, Karen, felt exactly this way. Over coffee, she vented:
“I don’t get it, Jef. Everyone shows up, but it’s like they’re running on autopilot. How do I get them to actually feel excited about the day?”
I smiled and asked,
“What’s the first thing they hear from you in the morning?”
Karen paused.
“Usually, it’s me reminding them about deadlines.”
I nodded.
“And how does that set the tone for the day?”
She sighed.
“Not great, huh?”
The Power of a Positive Start
The way you kick off your day with your team matters. A lot.
Psychologists call it the Primacy Effect—the idea that the first thing people experience colors everything that comes after. When your mornings are filled with stress, your team carries that weight all day. But when you start with something energizing, you create momentum that lifts the entire team.
The 5-Minute Morning Routine
Karen and I tried a simple experiment. Instead of starting her mornings with reminders or to-dos, she spent five minutes setting a positive tone for her team.
Here’s what she did:
- Start with Connection
At the beginning of the day, Karen greeted each team member individually with a quick, personal comment.- “Good morning, Anne! How’s your son feeling today?”
- “Hey Mark, that presentation yesterday was sharp—great work.”
- It was short but personal, and it made her team feel seen.
- Highlight One Thing to Look Forward To
Karen started huddles with something exciting:- “Today, we get to finalize the new project pitch—this is a big step forward for us!”
- Instead of focusing on pressure, she emphasized progress.
- End with Encouragement
She wrapped up with something motivational:- “Let’s tackle this day with focus and energy. You’ve got this!”
How It Worked
Karen’s team noticed the change immediately. After a week, one of her team members pulled her aside:
“I don’t know what you’re doing differently, but I actually feel excited to come in now. It’s like we’re working toward something, not just working.”
And here’s the best part: That shift only took five minutes a day.
Your Turn
Here’s how you can try the 5-Minute Morning Routine:
- Connect: Say something personal or positive to each team member.
- Look Ahead: Highlight one goal or exciting part of the day.
- Encourage: Leave them with a motivating thought or phrase.
Big changes don’t always need big actions. Sometimes, all it takes is five intentional minutes to turn an ordinary morning into the start of an extraordinary day.
Here’s to energizing your mornings,
Jef Menguin
P.S. If you try this routine, reply to this email and let me know how it worked—or join the Breakthrough Forum to share your experience!
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