The 5-Minute Morning Mindset Reset for Leaders

Because how you start your day is how you lead your life - and your team.

Leadership isn’t just about strategy, KPIs, or performance reviews. It’s about Energy. Presence. Intention (and I’ve a written an entire article on that!)

The truth is, many of us roll into our day already behind - mentally cluttered, emotionally reactive, and disconnected from their deeper purpose. But what if you could shift that in just five minutes?

It’s not about waking up at 4 a.m. or journaling for an hour (thank god!). It’s about having a simple ritual that primes your mindset for clarity and connection - before the world starts pulling at you.

Why this Works

Those of you who know me personally know I’m a huge fan of Mel Robbins.  Mel talks about activation energy - using small actions to spark momentum and overcome inertia. And if we want to live and lead intentionally, this has to begin with self-awareness.

This reset blends both energy and awareness: it’s quick, effective, and designed to align your leadership with your values. 

The 5-Minute Morning Mindset Reset

Here’s the ritual. Do it before you check your phone, open your inbox, or start to doom-scroll.  Preferably with a herbal tea in hand (ok – I won’t force my peppermint and licorice tea onto you, but you get the idea! )

1. Breathe (1 minute)

• Sit upright. Close your eyes.

• Inhale deeply for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 8.

• Repeat 3–5 times.

• Let your nervous system settle. Presence begins here.

  
  

2. Anchor (1 minute)

• Ask yourself: “What kind of leader do I want to be today?”

• Choose one word to guide you. Examples: Calm. Bold. Clear. Inspirational.

• Say it out loud. Let it land.

  
  

3. Visualize (1 minute)

• Picture one key moment you’ll face today—a meeting, a conversation, a decision.

• See yourself showing up with your chosen word.

• Feel it. Embody it.

  
  

4. Affirm (1 minute)

• Speak this aloud: “I lead with intention. I create impact. I am grounded, clear, and ready.”

  
  

5. Align (1 minute)

• Look at your calendar.

• Ask: “Where can I bring my word into action today?”

• Highlight one opportunity to lead with purpose.

  
  

Download Your Morning Reset Checklist

Keep this ritual close. Print it. Stick it on your mirror. Or better yet—make it your phone’s lock screen so that you see it before you start the scroll! 

Download here:

PDF Checklist

Screensaver

This checklist is useful even if you aren’t a leader.  It will enable you to set a clear intention for whatever your role may be – father, wife, facilitator, educator or customer service superstar!  Just substitute your focus role into Step 2 and adjust your affirmation at Step 4 to suit.

We don’t need more hours in the day – we just need more intention and focus in the ones we already have.

This reset is a leadership practice that will impact each person you come into contact with.  So tomorrow morning, before the world gets loud - get quiet.

And reset.

You’ve got this.

Rachel x