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The #1 Morning Habit That Actually Gets Results
S.J. Scott
May 12, 2025
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Welcome to another edition of the 1% Habits Newsletter!
This is where you’ll get up-to-date information on small wins to improve your habits, productivity, and life satisfaction.
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📈 The #1 Morning Habit That Actually Gets Results
Last week, I shared my thoughts on the power of starting your day with 5-10 minutes of silence. That small pocket of quiet can set the tone for your entire day.
But what comes next? After those few minutes of silence and reflection, what's the best use of your early morning time?
In my experience, it's dedicating 30-60 minutes to what I call your "MIT" — your Most Important Task.
What Is Your "MIT"?
Back in 2012, I came across this concept on Leo Babauta's Zen Habits blog, and it genuinely changed my life. Babauta described it simply: "Your MIT is the task you most want or need to get done today."
The concept resonated with me immediately. Instead of facing an overwhelming to-do list each morning, what if I just identified the one thing that would make the biggest difference and tackled it first?
This isn't about doing everything. It's about doing the right thing first.
When applied to your goals, an MIT is the single task (or small group of tasks) that has the biggest impact on your ability to make progress. It's the lever that moves everything else forward.
I teach this approach in my course 90 Days to Your #1 Goal, where we identify these high-leverage activities that drive all other positive changes.
Examples of MITs for Different Goals
Your MIT will be different depending on your current goals. Here are some examples:
● If you want to lose weight, your MIT might be tracking your calories each morning
● If you're an author or blogger, your MIT would be writing for a set period
● If you're training for a marathon, your MIT might be completing a bi-weekly long run
● If you run a social media account, creating content would be your MIT
● If you're focused on strength training, your MIT would be your workout
The key is identifying which task has the most significant impact on your specific goal and then devoting your energy to completing it consistently.
Why Your MIT Deserves the First Hour of Your Day
There's a reason I recommend tackling your MIT first thing in the morning:
Your willpower is highest. Studies show that willpower is like a muscle—it gets fatigued throughout the day. When you wake up, your willpower reserves are at their peak.
There are fewer distractions. Early mornings often offer a quieter environment with fewer interruptions. No Slack notifications, fewer emails coming in, and maybe even a peaceful household (at least for a little while).
It sets a tone of accomplishment. When you tackle your most important task first, you create momentum that carries through the rest of your day. Even if nothing else goes as planned, you've already moved the needle on what matters most.
It ensures it actually gets done. Let's be honest—when we leave important tasks for "later," life often gets in the way. By doing your MIT first, you guarantee it won't get pushed aside by the day's emergencies and distractions.
Your MIT Will Change (And That's Good)
Over the years, my own MIT has evolved dramatically.
When I was building my author platform, my MIT was writing every morning. I'd wake up, make a tea, and write for at least 60 minutes before doing anything else. That dedicated time helped me publish dozens of books in just a few years.
Later, when I was focused on growing my blog, my MIT shifted to content planning—mapping out articles, researching keywords, and outlining posts that would resonate with my audience.
Now, as I rebuild after the Google and AI shifts that affected my business, my MIT is scheduling content for my new business venture.
Your MIT will naturally shift as your goals and priorities change. The important thing is recognizing what deserves your focus right now.
How to Identify Your Current MIT
Not sure what your MIT should be? Here's a simple exercise to figure it out:
Write down your biggest goal right now. Be specific.
List all the tasks or habits that would help you achieve that goal.
Now ask yourself: "Which of these, if done consistently, would have the biggest impact on my progress?"
That's your MIT.
For example, if your goal is to start a side hustle, your list might include: researching the market, creating a business plan, building a simple website, developing your first product, reaching out to potential customers, and setting up payment systems.
If you ask which of these would have the biggest impact, the answer might be "developing your first product." Without something to sell, the rest of your efforts don't matter much. So your MIT would be spending time each morning working on your product development.
How to Make Your MIT a Morning Habit
Once you've identified your MIT, here's how to make it a non-negotiable part of your morning routine:
1. Prepare the night before
Remove any friction that might prevent you from getting started. If your MIT is writing, have your computer charged and your document open. If it's exercise, lay out your workout clothes. If it's learning, have your materials ready.
The key is to make it as easy as possible to begin when you wake up.
2. Protect this time fiercely
Block off 30-60 minutes on your calendar every morning for your MIT. Treat this appointment with the same respect you'd give to a meeting with your most important client or your child's school performance.
This means saying no to other morning commitments that would eat into this time. It means not checking email first thing. It means setting boundaries with family members or housemates during this window, if possible.
3. Start small and build
If 60 minutes feels overwhelming, start with just 30—or even 15. The important thing is consistency, not duration. You can always extend the time as the habit becomes more established.
4. Create accountability
Share your intention with someone who will check in on your progress. Join a mastermind group or find an accountability partner who has their own MIT to focus on.
In my course, we use a simple accountability system where participants check in daily with their progress. This social commitment dramatically increases follow-through.
5. Track your consistency
Use a habit tracker or even just a calendar where you mark off each day you complete your MIT. There's something powerful about seeing a chain of X's building up—and not wanting to break that chain.
6. Recognize and celebrate progress
Take time to acknowledge how this focused effort is moving you toward your goal. Celebration reinforces the habit and makes it more likely you'll continue.
What About When Life Gets in the Way?
Let's be real—life happens. Kids wake up early. Emergencies arise. You oversleep occasionally.
When this happens, don't abandon your MIT entirely. Instead:
● Have a backup time slot later in the day.
● Reduce the duration rather than skipping it (even 10 minutes is better than nothing).
● Get back on track the next day without self-judgment.
The goal isn't perfection—it's progress.
My Personal Morning Workflow
Here's what my current morning routine looks like:
Wake up and spend 5-10 minutes in silence, planning my day
Make a tea
Spend 45-60 minutes on my MIT
Only then do I check email or messages
This simple sequence has been transformative for my productivity and peace of mind. Even on chaotic days, I know I've already moved the needle on what matters most.
Your Turn: A Simple Action Plan
Ready to incorporate your MIT into your morning routine? Here's a simple action plan:
Identify your current biggest goal.
Determine the Most Important Task that would have the biggest impact on that goal.
Decide how much time you'll dedicate each morning (start with whatever feels doable).
Prepare everything you need the night before.
Block off this time on your calendar.
Track your consistency.
Adjust as needed, but protect this habit.
The beauty of this approach is its simplicity. You don't need complex productivity systems or elaborate routines. You just need to identify what matters most and give it your attention first.
🗂️ The Resource Roundup
😀 The ROI of Happiness: Brian reflects on how an obsession with productivity and “return on investment” led him to neglect relationships and well-being, and how he learned that happiness and balance are the best investments you can make.
💲 32 Things to Know About Following The Simple Path to Wealth: JL Collins breaks down the essentials of long-term investing, emphasizing simplicity, patience, and the power of index funds—plus why staying the course is the best way to build real wealth.
🪞 How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others: Nir Eyal dives into the psychology of social comparison, offering practical strategies to break free from the trap of measuring your worth against others and focus on your own growth instead.
Thanks for reading.
Talk soon!
Cheers,
Steve Scott
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