The Hidden Truth Behind Morning Routines
Ever seen a motivational video on YouTube about a perfect morning routine? They lied. But not in the way that you think.
Mark Manson, author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck, argues that the idea of celebrity morning routines as a path to success is inherently flawed. He makes it clear that if success were as simple as following a specific routine, everyone would be successful. Two main points support this: first, not all successful people adhere to the same routines, and second, if such routines guaranteed success, everyone would adopt them. Manson himself built a multi-million-dollar business while indulging in Reese’s Cups, not green smoothies.
The video was insightful and interesting, but it raised a question for me. In my own life, morning routines have helped. I performed better in school when I woke up an hour earlier to work out. While these hacks didn’t make me a millionaire, they made me more effective. This begs the question: if these routines are real, why don’t they always work? And if they’re fake, why do they help at all?
The answer lies in conviction. Successful people have a deep passion for their field. Celebrities, athletes, and influential figures are deeply invested in their pursuits. Hans Zimmer constantly searches for the perfect piece of music; Michael Phelps exhibits almost obsessive dedication; Mark Manson shows a deep conviction in not caring about societal expectations.
But where is this conviction in the rest of us? Most of us follow routines out of necessity rather than passion. We go to school, work, and fulfill social obligations because we have to, not because we are driven by a deep passion. Our true conviction often lies in simpler pleasures, like eating pizza or watching movies.
This conviction and drive are major factors separating success from failure. You won’t excel at something unless you enjoy the process or have a compelling reason to pursue it.
Trendy morning routines try to reverse-engineer this drive and motivation. Waking up at 3:00 AM or working out early convinces us that we want something enough to make sacrifices for it. The morning is an ideal time for this because it offers a clean slate. James Clear suggests that a good decision in the morning is worth 100 later in the day.
While celebrities start with conviction and follow up with actions, the rest of us often need to perform actions to build conviction. However, the core reason these routines often fail is that merely tricking yourself isn’t enough. Without a clear plan for implementation, no amount of lemon water will transform your life, though it might make you feel better temporarily.
So, the next time someone pitches a morning routine guaranteed to bring success, remember two things. First, the routine itself won’t bring success. But second, it might motivate you to strive for success.
