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For years I opened my mornings with a bloated to-do list.
Now I start with three questions. It takes five minutes and gives my whole day a calm, clear frame—no hustle theatre, no chaos.
Use this as a tiny morning ritual you can keep even on busy days. It also pairs perfectly with two 90-minute flow blocks if you publish or ship creative work regularly.
1) What one thing would make today feel complete?
Pick one outcome. Not the longest task—the most consequential.
- Write a one-sentence promise:
“Today I’ll draft the first 600 words of my article.” - Define your Minimum Viable Win (MVW):
“Outline finished + first paragraph = done.” - Tag it: (C) = create or (S) = ship.
(Creating in the morning, shipping later, keeps momentum clean.)
Why it works: your brain stops juggling 14 priorities and channels all energy into one lever that actually moves the day.
2) What will I not do today? (choose two)
Focus is addition by subtraction.
- List two “stop-doings” for the day:
“No email before 11:30.” / “No social apps until after Block 1.” - If something must slip, reschedule it to a timestamp—don’t leave it in limbo.
- Add a tiny “Stop-Doing” box to your planner (two lines are enough).
Why it works: your day becomes clear not from more tasks, but from less noise.
3) When are my two 90-minute flow blocks?
Don’t say “sometime this morning.” Write the times down.
- Block 1 (90’): 10:00–11:30 — (C) Create
- Block 2 (90’): 16:00–17:30 — (S) Ship
- Phone in another room, one tab only, visible timer at 90:00.
Short on time? Run 60-minute blocks this week, or three micro-blocks of 25–30 minutes. Consistency beats perfection.
The 5-Minute Morning Ritual (checklist)
- Open your planner → write today’s one outcome (tag it C or S).
- Add two “stop-doings.”
- Block the calendar for two flow windows (90’ + 90’).
- Set a visible timer and begin.
That’s it. Five minutes of setup for a day that finally feels led—by you.
My simple tools (tested favorites, affiliate-friendly)
- Minimal Daily Planner (A5, undated)
A clean layout with a small Top 1 box and a Stop-Doing section. No clutter, just function.
Why I like it: it nudges me to choose, not to hoard tasks.
👉 This is the planner I use every morning. You can find it here. - Quiet Visual Timer (60–90 minutes)
A silent timer with a large dial so you see your focus time at a glance.
Why I like it: the gentle end-chime pulls me out without stress.
👉 Here’s the exact timer I use for my deep work sessions.
(Replace the placeholders with your Amazon Associates links—e.g., using your Store ID.)
Tiny nightly add-on (keeps the loop alive)
In the evening, write two lines:
- One win I want more of tomorrow…
- One friction I’ll remove before bed… (e.g., set the timer on your desk, lay out the notebook)
This takes 60 seconds and makes tomorrow’s 5-minute ritual nearly automatic.
Quick FAQ (SEO-friendly)
Why only 3 questions?
Because your working memory can comfortably hold three items without tipping into anxiety. It’s the cognitive sweet spot.
What if I miss the morning?
Start at noon. The system is time-agnostic: 1 outcome + 2 “stop-doings” + 2 blocks—whenever you begin.
Will this help if I’m juggling kids/meetings?
Yes. Use 25–30 minute micro-blocks during natural gaps. The frame matters more than the block length.
Copy-paste template (stick this in your planner)
Today feels complete when: ________ (C/S)
Not doing: 1) _ 2) _
Flow blocks: – and –
MVW: __________________________
Focus isn’t a talent. It’s intention + a frame you repeat.
Start with these three questions—and watch your day start answering back.