why your mornings are difficult

The first thing 71% of people touch in the morning isn't their spouse, their coffee, or themselves.

It's their phone.

I know because I was their king. My morning ritual went like this:

7:47am: Eyes open
7:47:03am: Phone in hand
7:47:05am: Already anxious about some bs

I did this for years. Every. Single. Morning.

Then I heard this:

"The first hour of your day is when your brain is most creative. Don't waste it on other people's thoughts."

When you wake up, your brain is in this special state. It's called theta waves - basically, your mind is still half-dreaming, which is why you sometimes have those genius shower thoughts.

But the second you look at your phone, you murder those theta waves.

"Look at this political outrage!" "Your high school friend had another baby!"
"Boss is just checking in on you.”

So I tried an experiment. For 30 days, I didn't touch my phone for the first hour after waking up.

The results? So exceptional that I’m still doing it.

Days 1-7: Withdrawal. Phantom phone reaches.
Days 8-21: Creative thoughts returned.
Days 22-30: Became a morning workout person. (I know, I hate me too.)

What happens when you check your phone first thing:

• 40% higher cortisol (stress hormone) all day

• Your attention span shrinks over time

• You're training your brain to be reactive instead of proactive

But Jacob, how long should I wait? About 30-60 minutes.

A few ways to do this:

1. Charge your phone in another room

2. Get sunlight before screenlight (your circadian rhythm will thank you)

3. Do anything else - make coffee, journal, stare at the wall like a psychopath

I don't miss anything important.

Those "urgent" messages? Still there an hour later. That breaking news? Still broken. Those high school friends? Still having babies.

One thing I realized:

Every successful person I know protects their mornings.

Warren Buffett reads. Oprah meditates. None of them scroll in bed.

Average people give their best hours to everyone else. Exceptional people keep their best hours for themselves.

So try this:

Don't touch your phone for 30 minutes.

If you don't feel sharper, calmer, and more powerful... I'll personally Venmo you $1 (lie)

Your morning is one of the only things you control. So stop giving it away to strangers on the internet.

They can wait.

Your life can't.

- Jacob