“Why I Don’t Turn My Work Phone On Until I Arrive at Work.

My morning routine is valuable. Each morning after showering and getting dressed, I sit down with my journal and write down what I am thankful for, move into what I hope will make the day great, list a positive affirmation, then move into writing out my thoughts, followed by spiritual reading, walking the dog, then coffee in some form, and driving to work while either listening to music or praying about the decisions of the day. Once I arrive at work and get to my office, I turn my work phone on, power up my computer, and begin the day. It used to be the other way around—I would wake up, grab my work phone, and immediately begin working. I found myself grumpy, anxious, fearful, and angry, and I carried this into the day. So I stopped. That was years ago, and guess what? Everything is fine.

This shift taught me that the world doesn’t collapse when we claim space for ourselves first. The urgency we feel to be available immediately is often self-imposed, and releasing it creates room for the clarity and peace that make us better leaders, educators, and human beings. When I protect my morning, I’m not avoiding responsibility—I’m preparing to meet it from a place of groundedness rather than reactivity. The choice to put my phone down changed everything, and it’s a choice I get to make again every single morning.

Now it did cause a fight, not with my job, or co-workers, but my inner critic but that is a story for another day.

What would change in your life if you protected the first hour of your day as sacred space?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​