My Morning Routine Begins with Gratitude

For the last couple of years, articles on the morning routines of CEOs and world-class performers have been an obsession for writers, bloggers, and entrepreneurs. Tim Ferris wrote an entire book (Tools of Titans, see my recommended list here) that explored the concept.I too, became caught up in the spirit of productivity and tried creating a series of rituals to kick start my day, rather than simply responding to emails and messages. While I still incorporate some exercise and wake up earlier than I'd like to, I now wake up with a simple practice: I think of three things or people that I'm grateful for.Waking up with gratitude helps me prioritize the day in a way that a to do list has never been able to do. It provides more focus than a "smart" breakfast of brain-centric nutrients.Lately, I've been adding another step to wake my mind up: none of the items of gratitude can't be repeated. That helps me avoid falling into a routine (grateful for family, friends, etc.) and think about how I can appreciate other details in my life that are often overlooked. It's a form of meditation that begins with appreciation. It's that simple.