It's About Time | Time Management & Productivity for Work Life & Balance Is an Opening Shift Routine the Secret to Better Mornings?
Mar 23, 2026
A practical take on creating an Opening Shift morning routine to begin days with intention. Short, repeatable steps for preparing your environment and resetting your body. Quick methods to review priorities and choose a mindset that shapes how you respond. Tips for customizing and practicing a routine that fits real life.
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Hostess Opening Shift Set The Tone
- Anna Dearmon Kornick worked opening shifts as a hostess at the LSU Faculty Club early in college and had a detailed routine to prepare the dining room before doors opened.
- She refreshed flower arrangements, updated leather-bound menus, and arranged tables to create a consistent welcoming experience that set the tone for the whole day.
Reset One Small Space Each Morning
- Prepare your environment each morning with one small supportive action like making the bed, clearing a counter, or starting coffee to create calm cues for your brain.
- Aim for supportive, not perfect; a single reset in one space produces a noticeable sense of order you can build on.
Do One Quick Body Reset
- Reset your body with one quick intentional move like a full glass of water, 30 seconds of stretching, or three deep breaths before diving into responsibilities.
- Use micro-routines (e.g., Natalyn Lewis's 10-10-10 movement repeated three times) to regulate your nervous system in under three minutes.