Morning routines are supposed to set you up for a day of success and a life of happiness and joy. Yet most self-improvement and productivity advice on morning routines does the opposite. It makes you feel like a failure who will never be good enough and isn't made of the right stuff to ever succeed. We break down the problems with most advice and how to actually improve your day and your life with a morning routine that actually works. - - - Connect with Sam:<ul>
<li>Sam's newsletter on creativity - <a href="https://explosivethinking.substack.com/">Explosive Thinking</a> </li>
<li>Watch the pod - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnW_e4y-aJabp1vRBJFJk5w">YouTube - Growth Mindset</a>
</li>
<li>Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/samjamharris">@samjamharris</a>
</li>
<li>Instagram - @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/samjam.zen/">SamJam.zen</a>
</li>
</ul> - - - Chapters00:00 Morning routines and toxic productivity01:51 #1 Do the thing that you find hard to do at any other time03:21 #2 Plan your day before03:53 #3 Sleep05:22 Be Adaptable06:20 Match what you want to do with what you want to have done07:33 A few questions to ask yourself07:44 What do I struggle to do in a day?08:04 What do I need to change to plan for tomorrow better?08:27 How can I improve my sleep?09:35 What is on my want to have done list, but doesn't actually ever appear on my want to do list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Morning routines are supposed to set you up for a day of success and a life of happiness and joy. Yet most self-improvement and productivity advice on morning routines does the opposite. It makes you feel like a failure who will never be good enough and isn't made of the right stuff to ever succeed. We break down the problems with most advice and how to actually improve your day and your life with a morning routine that actually works. - - - Connect with Sam: Sam's newsletter on creativity - Explosive Thinking Watch the pod - YouTube - Growth Mindset Twitter - @samjamharris Instagram - @SamJam.zen - - - Chapters 00:00 Morning routines and toxic productivity 01:51 #1 Do the thing that you find hard to do at any other time 03:21 #2 Plan your day before 03:53 #3 Sleep 05:22 Be Adaptable 06:20 Match what you want to do with what you want to have done 07:33 A few questions to ask yourself 07:44 What do I struggle to do in a day? 08:04 What do I need to change to plan for tomorrow better? 08:27 How can I improve my sleep? 09:35 What is on my want to have done list, but doesn't actually ever appear on my want to do list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Morning routines are supposed to set you up for a day of success and a life of happiness and joy. Yet most self-improvement and productivity advice on morning routines does the opposite. It makes you feel like a failure who will never be good enough and isn't made of the right stuff to ever succeed. We break down the problems with most advice and how to actually improve your day and your life with a morning routine that actually works. - - - Connect with Sam:<ul>
<li>Sam's newsletter on creativity -&nbsp;<a href="https://explosivethinking.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Explosive Thinking</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>Watch the pod -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnW_e4y-aJabp1vRBJFJk5w" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube - Growth Mindset</a>
</li>
<li>Twitter -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/samjamharris" rel="noopener noreferrer">@samjamharris</a>
</li>
<li>Instagram - @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/samjam.zen/" rel="noopener noreferrer">SamJam.zen</a>
</li>
</ul> - - - Chapters00:00 Morning routines and toxic productivity01:51 #1 Do the thing that you find hard to do at any other time03:21 #2 Plan your day before03:53 #3 Sleep05:22 Be Adaptable06:20 Match what you want to do with what you want to have done07:33 A few questions to ask yourself07:44 What do I struggle to do in a day?08:04 What do I need to change to plan for tomorrow better?08:27 How can I improve my sleep?09:35 What is on my want to have done list, but doesn't actually ever appear on my want to do list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Why morning routines are toxic

Most self-help advice is guesswork dressed up as wisdom. We dig into psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science to find what actually changes lives.

WHY LISTEN?

Over 8 million downloads because we answer the questions that matter: How do I build mental strength? What creates lasting motivation? How can I understand my own mind well enough to work with it, not against it?

This podcast is for curious skeptics who want frameworks backed by psychology studies, not Instagram quotes. Whether you're navigating procrastination, building self-discipline, or designing your own philosophy for a life well lived—we explore the hidden psychology behind real change.

WHAT YOU'LL GET

Mental models and simple techniques from cognitive psychology, positive psychology, and ancient wisdom traditions like Stoicism and Buddhism.

Being a human can be confusing, learning about it doesn’t have to be.

We cover everything from emotional intelligence and habit formation to brain health and the nervous system.

WHAT YOU DON’T GET

No pseudoscience. No oversimplified "hacks." No hustle porn.

Just practical insights on mindset improvement, self-development, and human psychology that respect your intelligence and mental health.

THE APPROACH

Instead of telling you what to think, we explore how thinking works. Armed with psychology studies, social science research, and relentless curiosity, we uncover the mechanics of belief change, attitude change, and personal development.

Success is personal. You might want to leverage your neurodiverse strengths, build a business, or simply discover how to be happier. We provide the mental frameworks to pursue your definition of success with mental strength and self-care that fits your life.

YOUR HOST

I'm Sam Webster Harris—a lifelong learner with ADHD and an obsession with finding answers to hard questions. After launching businesses, traveling the world, and nearly dying a few times, I concluded that psychology and science are where real wisdom lives.

This show is my excuse to dive deep into health and fitness research, behavioral psychology, and cool science while helping you build genuine self-discipline and motivation.

PREMIUM

Go ad-free and access exclusive content, AMAs, and our community Discord.

Growth Mindset Premium



PAST SERIES

Previous guests include Olympians, Scientists, Billionaires, and Sam's Mum.

Past series:

— Psychology vs Stoicism

— Time Management for Busy Mortals

— Independence and Knowing Yourself

— Cognitive Biases and Rational Thinking

— Psychology of Connection and Relationships

— Carol Dweck and the Multiverse of Mindsets

— Addiction and Behaviour Change

— Nervous System Mastery and Polyvagal Theory

— Mental Strength and Self-Discipline

Society & Culture

Science

Social Sciences

Education

Self-Improvement

Philosophy

Most self-help advice is guesswork dressed up as wisdom. We dig into psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science to find what actually changes lives. WHY LISTEN? Over 8 million downloads because we answer the questions that matter: How do I build mental strength? What creates lasting motivation? How can I understand my own mind well enough to work with it, not against it? This podcast is for curious skeptics who want frameworks backed by psychology studies, not Instagram quotes. Whether you're navigating procrastination, building self-discipline, or designing your own philosophy for a life well lived—we explore the hidden psychology behind real change. WHAT YOU'LL GET Mental models and simple techniques from cognitive psychology, positive psychology, and ancient wisdom traditions like Stoicism and Buddhism. Being a human can be confusing, learning about it doesn’t have to be. We cover everything from emotional intelligence and habit formation to brain health and the nervous system. WHAT YOU DON’T GET No pseudoscience. No oversimplified "hacks." No hustle porn. Just practical insights on mindset improvement, self-development, and human psychology that respect your intelligence and mental health. THE APPROACH Instead of telling you what to think, we explore how thinking works. Armed with psychology studies, social science research, and relentless curiosity, we uncover the mechanics of belief change, attitude change, and personal development. Success is personal. You might want to leverage your neurodiverse strengths, build a business, or simply discover how to be happier. We provide the mental frameworks to pursue your definition of success with mental strength and self-care that fits your life. YOUR HOST I'm Sam Webster Harris—a lifelong learner with ADHD and an obsession with finding answers to hard questions. After launching businesses, traveling the world, and nearly dying a few times, I concluded that psychology and science are where real wisdom lives. This show is my excuse to dive deep into health and fitness research, behavioral psychology, and cool science while helping you build genuine self-discipline and motivation. PREMIUM Go ad-free and access exclusive content, AMAs, and our community Discord. Growth Mindset Premium PAST SERIES Previous guests include Olympians, Scientists, Billionaires, and Sam's Mum. Past series: — Psychology vs Stoicism — Time Management for Busy Mortals — Independence and Knowing Yourself — Cognitive Biases and Rational Thinking — Psychology of Connection and Relationships — Carol Dweck and the Multiverse of Mindsets — Addiction and Behaviour Change — Nervous System Mastery and Polyvagal Theory — Mental Strength and Self-Discipline

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Why morning routines are toxic

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