Western Vitality

Have you ever heard of The 5 AM Club? If not, I highly recommend checking it out—it’s a game-changer. I believe many of us overlook the power of books these days. We’re so caught up in the noise around us that we forget how much knowledge is right there waiting for us if we just put down our phones and pick up a book. But I’ll save that conversation for another time. Today, I want to dive into the most successful morning routine—the kind that’s backed by science to make you healthier, happier, and more productive. Let me walk you through it.

The 20/20/20 Rule

Now, I’m going to be honest—this routine isn’t something I’ve mastered perfectly yet. But I do my best to implement its core principles every day. Sometimes it looks more like a 30/20/40 rule or even a 15/30/20 rule, depending on the day. The important thing is that I hit all three essential pockets every single morning.

Pocket 1: Sweat

The first pocket is exercise—real, intense, sweat-dripping exercise. Not just a casual walk around the block, but something that makes your body work hard. You need to be sweating, and this should happen within 15 minutes of waking up. That gives you just enough time to get dressed, grab some water, and maybe a small pre-workout snack before jumping in. Whether it’s lifting weights, doing HIIT, or sprinting, it needs to push you beyond your normal activity level. If you wake up feeling tired, I promise that fatigue will disappear once you’re done. Of course, there are days when I focus more on recovery—maybe yoga or mobility exercises to help my muscles bounce back—but I limit this to a couple of times a week. Be careful not to turn that into a daily habit. You should aim for at least 20 minutes of exercise. If you’re just starting out, 20 minutes is completely doable.

Pocket 2: Mindfulness

Next, we have mindfulness. This is your time to journal, meditate, or reflect. The key here? Zero distractions. No social media, no screens—just you and a piece of paper. This is where I also dive into my scriptures. Think about it—when was the last time you actually picked up a journal for more than just moving it from one place to another? Most people don’t even own one. If you don’t, step one is to get one. I like my journals to be sturdy and a bit on the nicer side, but it’s up to you how much you want to invest in yours. Spend at least 20 minutes here, dividing the time between journaling, reflecting, or whatever mindfulness practice works best for you.

Pocket 3: Learning

Finally, learn something new. Use this time to expand your knowledge, whether it’s about your business, personal growth, or something you’ve always wanted to understand better. Become more valuable to yourself and the world. For example, writing this blog post is part of my learning pocket for the day. Teaching others helps me learn in a way nothing else does. It’s a powerful way to absorb information and grow.

The Takeaway

If you commit to this routine every day for at least 66 days—the time it takes to make something automatic—you will drastically change your life. Trust me, I’ve seen the impact firsthand. The fact that you’re even reading this tells me you’re already on the path to a big change, and I believe in you! So go for it! Your best self is waiting.