James Clear-Inspired Every Morning
Designed by Bearmore
Inspired by James ClearWhen did the routine start taking the whole morning?
Get clarity and consistency before anything else. Inspired by Atomic Habits author James Clear: a glass of water, three things you’re grateful for, a few minutes of deep breathing, then twenty pages of a book.
The runsheet
- Nutrition
Glass of water
2 minFirst drink. No breakfast, he does intermittent fasts from 12pm-8pm to simplify logistics.
Bearmore’s thoughts on doing nutrition before gratitude
This is an excellent pairing because finishing a meal highlights thankfulness for the food, what made it possible, and the body that uses it.
Three gratitudes
Writes three things he's grateful for. Added to the routine two years ago; he also practises one gratitude at dinner. This anchors the emotional tone of the day.
5 min activityBearmore’s thoughts on doing gratitude before breath work
This can help because breath work can deepen any relaxed good feelings, though gently.
Deep breathing
Sits in silence and does deep breathing before reading. This is not formal meditation but it can feel a bit like it.
5 min activityBearmore’s thoughts on doing breath work before reading (mindful)
This can be a good pairing because a calm, focused state from breath work can carry into mindful reading and sustained attention.
Twenty pages
Twenty pages of a book, any genre. The newest addition to the routine but it’s already non-negotiable. This keeps him learning.
20 min activityTime well spent.
38m that belonged to you — not the inbox, not anyone else.
The breakdown
Burst evaluation
Wellbeing focus
About this Burst
James Clear is an entrepreneur, weightlifter, travel photographer, and author of Atomic Habits, the bestselling habits book that has sold over ten million copies. He lives in North Carolina.