Great leadership begins the night before.
Because how you end your day is how you begin the next.
One of the first practices I introduce when working with clients is the Morning Ritual. Most of us have morning routines, but they’re often just that—routines. Habits built up over time that we engage in automatically, without considering whether they’re actually helping us start the day with clarity, calm and energy. The difference between a routine and a ritual? Intention. Rituals are infused with awareness and purpose. They align your actions with your values and your vision.
But here’s the challenge I hear most often:
“I want to have a peaceful, focused, energised morning… but I wake up exhausted.”
Does this sound familiar?
- You feel groggy or foggy-headed when you wake up.
- You press the snooze button… again and again.
- You spring out of bed already feeling behind.
- Your sleep just never feels… complete.
Many of my clients experience one or more of these. And here’s the insight that shifts everything:
The quality of your morning begins the night before.
But how do you get this? I’m not here to overload you with more things to do. We already have too much on our plates. Here’s a simple approach to improve the quality of your mornings:
Step One: Start with Awareness
Before you try to fix anything, just observe.
For the next seven days, take a few moments each night to notice what you do in the hour before bed. Don’t change anything—just become aware. Then, notice how you feel when you wake up. Over time, you’ll start to see the connection between the way you end your day and the energy you wake up with.
Step Two: Create a Gentle Evening Ritual
Think of your Evening Ritual like the cool down after an energizing workout. It helps your mind and body shift from the stimulation of the day into the gentleness of the night. A good evening ritual isn’t about perfection—it’s about transition.
Here’s how to start:
- Set Your Ideal Wake-Up Time
Decide when you want to begin your morning ritual. What time will give you the spacious, grounded, joyful start to your day? - Count Backwards
Assuming you need 7–8 hours of sleep (most people do), set a consistent bedtime. Over time, you’ll find your personal sweet spot. Mine, for example, is about 7½ hours—less than 7 or more than 8 and I feel like quite the sourpuss.
Begin Your Cool Down (1 Hour Before Bedtime)
Start the cool down with shutting down your technology – stop checking social media, don’t watch the news and do your “good night” calls at this time. The intention here is to reduce mental, and even emotional stimuli.
Decide what cools you down
Now for the fun part: what will you include in your ritual? Choose calming, nourishing activities that gradually lower your energy and ease you into rest.
Some ideas:
- A warm shower—not too hot, not too cold—just soothing.
- A hot bath with Epsom salts for a spa-like soak.
- Dim the lights. Recreate the gentle transition from sun to moonlight. Maybe even light a candle.
- Sip a cup of warm herbal tea with honey, slowly and mindfully.
- Journal. Write down three things you’re grateful for, or reflect on your day.
- Creative play: colouring books, paint-by-numbers, calligraphy, poetry, fiction.
- Read something beautiful—not work-related!
Bring yourself to stillness:
Sit in stillness or meditate for 10 minutes before bed. If meditation feels hard, simply sit in silence and breathe.
And then—gently, lovingly—get into bed. Close your eyes. Let sleep come to you.
You Don’t Have to Get It “Right”
You probably will not perfect your evening ritual right away. That’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is awareness and progress.
When you close the day with intention, you prepare the ground for joy to blossom in the morning.
Try it for a week. Observe. Adjust. Let your body teach you. And remember:
When you honour your evening, your morning rises to meet you.
I’d love to hear from you — what helps you cool down at night?
