I’ve been an entrepreneur for most of my life, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that success doesn’t start at your first meeting of the day—it starts the moment you wake up. Your morning routine sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s not about being perfect or ticking off a checklist to impress anyone. It’s about creating a foundation of focus, energy, and intention that fuels long-term results.

Running multiple businesses—from Airheads HVAC to real estate and leasing ventures—means my days are often unpredictable. But my mornings? Those are sacred. They’re the one part of my day I can fully control. And over the years, I’ve crafted a routine that keeps me grounded, sharp, and ready to lead.

Wake Up with Purpose

For me, the day starts early—usually around 5:30 AM. That’s not because I love waking up in the dark, but because I’ve realized that the quiet hours before the world wakes up are gold. There’s no noise, no emails, no distractions. It’s just me and the day ahead.

I don’t hit snooze. That little decision to get up right when the alarm goes off sends a message to my brain: we’re serious today. And that mindset carries over into how I handle everything else. If you can win that first battle with the snooze button, you can win the rest of the day.

Start with Gratitude and Clarity

The first 10 minutes of my day aren’t about diving into business—they’re about clarity. I take a few minutes to pray and give thanks. Gratitude keeps me grounded. I’ve been blessed with opportunities, a supportive family, and the ability to give back through my work. Remembering that each morning sets a positive tone and helps me approach challenges with the right perspective.

I’ll then glance over my handwritten to-do list. Not just a digital app, but pen to paper. I write out the 3 most important things I need to accomplish that day. These aren’t always business tasks—they might be calling a friend, following up on a community project, or making time for a walk with my wife. What matters is that they’re meaningful.

Move Your Body, Clear Your Mind

I’m a big believer in physical movement as a mental reset. You don’t have to run marathons, but getting your body moving early does wonders. For me, it’s usually a 30-minute workout—weights, a jog, or sometimes even a swim if I’m at the beach house. On days I can’t squeeze that in, I’ll at least stretch or walk while listening to a podcast or audio book.

That time isn’t just about fitness—it’s about mindset. It wakes me up, clears the cobwebs, and often sparks creative ideas for problems I’ve been wrestling with. If I’ve got a tough business decision on the horizon, I’m probably sorting it out during my morning workout.

Fueling Up Right

What you put into your body in the morning matters. I’m not here to preach some complicated diet, but I’ve learned that starting with a clean, protein-rich breakfast gives me the energy to hit the ground running. No sugary cereal or greasy fast food. Think eggs, fruit, oats—fuel that lasts.

I also hydrate like crazy in the morning. One of the first things I do after waking up is drink a full glass of water. It’s simple, but after 7–8 hours without water, your brain and body need that boost.

No Phone Until I’m Ready

This one’s big. I don’t check my phone first thing in the morning. No email, no social media, no texts. The moment you start reacting to other people’s demands, your priorities take a back seat. I protect the first hour of my day like my life depends on it—because in many ways, it does.

Once I’ve gone through my routine, moved my body, and mapped out my top priorities, then I’ll check my messages. But I don’t let the outside world in until I’ve centered myself.

Review, Reflect, and Visualize

Right before I sit down to tackle work for the day, I spend 5–10 minutes reviewing my long-term goals. That could be expanding a new wing of Airheads HVAC, scaling my real estate portfolio, or launching a new project. I visualize what success looks like and remind myself why I’m doing what I’m doing.

Entrepreneurship isn’t always easy. You’ll have hard days, setbacks, and doubts. But when you start each day with a clear connection to your “why,” you’re more likely to push through when the going gets tough.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need Perfection—You Need Consistency

If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to any entrepreneur trying to build a powerful morning routine, it’s this: you don’t need to copy someone else’s system. You just need one that works for you—and you need to stick with it.

Your morning routine is your foundation. It won’t solve every problem, but it will put you in the right state of mind to handle anything that comes your way. Over time, those small morning habits add up to big long-term results.

And remember, it’s not about how early you wake up or how many things you check off your list. It’s about being intentional, focused, and grounded. That’s the real key to showing up as the best version of yourself—for your business, your team, your family, and your community.