The alarm clock on my phone rings and I make the usual unconscious grab with a violent swing of my arm in an effort to silence the noise that had done its job for the day. I’m awake, it’s 4am and the message on my phone is the first thing I take in during these first moments: GET AFTER IT, Discipline Equals Freedom. The short powerful message sends chills through me as I stand up and exit the room.

As I make the short walk to the espresso machine I am aware of only darkness. I have to walk outside in order to get to the main kitchen compound and it is clear that I am up before the world is, and it is clear that I’ve already won the first battle of the day. After getting a double espresso, strong and black, I head over to the gym a quarter mile away in another building. The darkness and mystique of the morning is still thick and foggy as I turn on the gym lights and set my coffee down next to my earbud case and hard back roller. What’s about to begin is my morning routine and the first of two or three training sessions for the day.

The session itself is mild, with only some light stretching, pvc rolling on the muscles and joints and some minor handstand work. I wake up with sips of strong coffee that hopefully tastes like a cup of liquid cigar ash. This isn’t a time for me to break a sweat or get my heart rate up, it’s a time for me to be alone. Before the day can approach with all of its operations and possible complications, I’m alone for the time being and I can’t explain the contentment I get from these dark early morning hours. There’s something about this time that proves to my well-being again and again: The morning routine will save your life.

An hour goes by fast and I put the equipment back on the shelf before walking the quarter mile back to the main compound where roll call will be. I have the walk timed perfectly and quickly take a cold shower—another life giving technique to any successful program and the second battle of the day. It’s funny to watch the mind as it worries about the possible onslaught of cold water hitting the skin. Thoughts of doubt pop in as I reach for the handle but all the while the slogan I live by demands respect and attention: Discipline Equals Freedom. The water hits my head and a rush of energy flows through me. The straight cold stream blasts me like a punch in the face and I’m fully awake and alive. I’ve won another decision over the mind and I get ready for the third battle of the day, roll call.

Roll call starts at 5:30am sharp. It’s the time that I show up for the day’s work and I’ve assigned it a name of military significance. Roll call isn’t something you miss, it’s not a time to be found aloof and stuck in traffic. Set a time for your schedule and use it. Make it up if you have too, just make it a priority in your life.

So now you can see what a disciplined morning looks like. Focused and to the point, we need a habit pattern of solitude for reflection and habit that provides regularity to your life. We aren’t becoming effective leaders of our own life by waking up late, grabbing something on the way out and rushing off to our day. We want a proper plan in place so we have time to breathe. There’s no coffee spilled shirts or crumbs on the carseat. All of our prep has been accomplished and we arrive cool, calm and collected. We are striving to be that guy and that takes some work on our part. It takes some planning. It takes a morning routine that will most likely save our life.

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