The $100 MBA Show: MBA2609 Q&A Wednesday – "Can You Recommend a 5-Minute Morning Routine I Can Start?"

Host: Omar Zenhom
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Podcast Description: On The $100 MBA Show, Omar Zenhom provides practical, actionable business strategies to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale their businesses without the need for expensive degrees or significant financial risks. Each episode delivers concise lessons aimed at empowering listeners with the essential skills and habits required for business success.

Introduction

In the MBA2609 episode titled "Q&A Wednesday: Can You Recommend a 5-Minute Morning Routine I Can Start?", host Omar Zenhom addresses a common concern from listeners: How can busy entrepreneurs establish a simple yet effective morning routine to enhance productivity and focus? Listener Mary poses this question, seeking a manageable routine that doesn't require significant time or resources.

Omar's 5-Minute Morning Routine: GPP

Omar introduces a straightforward and impactful morning routine named GPP, an acronym for Gratitude, Positive Input, and Priority. This routine is designed to be completed in just five minutes, making it ideal for busy individuals striving to start their day with intention and clarity.

1. Gratitude (1 Minute)

Description:
Begin the morning by dedicating one minute to expressing gratitude. This involves identifying and acknowledging three things you are grateful for.

How to Implement:

• Write Down: Jot down three things you’re grateful for. This could range from simple pleasures like a cup of coffee to more significant aspects like supportive clients or personal relationships.
• Examples:
  • "I'm grateful for the coffee I have this morning."
  • "I'm thankful for the supportive client I spoke with yesterday."
  • "I appreciate having the opportunity to build something incredible every day."

Why It Works:
Gratitude shifts your mindset from scarcity to abundance, fostering a positive outlook that makes it easier to handle challenges. As Omar states, "It shifts your brain from scarcity to, to abundance, instantly changing how you approach challenges." ([02:30])

2. Positive Input (1 Minute)

Description:
Allocate one minute to consuming positive and motivating content. This should replace the common habit of starting the day with distractions like social media or stress-inducing news.

How to Implement:

• Choose a Positive Source: This could be an inspiring quote, an affirmation, a snippet from a motivational book, or a brief podcast segment.
• Personal Preference: Omar personally enjoys listening to Jim Rohn, a renowned figure in personal development, to set a positive mindset.

Why It Works:
The content you consume in the morning sets the tone for the rest of your day. As Omar explains, "What you consume shapes how you show up. If you consume negativity and stress, you will be negative and stressed out. If you consume positivity and motivation, you'll be positive and motivated." ([04:15])

3. Priority (3 Minutes)

Description:
Spend three minutes identifying and committing to one crucial task that will significantly impact your business for the day.

How to Implement:

• Identify One Key Action: Determine the single most important task that, if completed, will move your business forward.
• Visualization: Close your eyes and visualize successfully completing this task.
• Commitment: Write down a statement such as, "I will complete this today, no matter what." This reinforces your commitment to achieving the task.

Benefits:
Focusing on one primary task ensures that you prioritize effectively without getting overwhelmed by a lengthy to-do list. Omar shares, "If there was only one thing you got done today, what would you want it to be?" ([06:45])

Visualization Importance:
Visualizing success reinforces your belief in your ability to accomplish the task. Omar emphasizes, "They say I'll believe it when I see it. Well, in business, it's actually you'll believe it when you see it in your mind." ([07:20])

Bonus Tip: Habit Stacking

Description:
To increase consistency, attach the GPP routine to an existing daily habit, making it easier to remember and integrate into your morning.

How to Implement:

• Link to a Routine Activity: For example, perform the GPP routine while having your morning coffee or immediately after brushing your teeth.
• Consistency: Omar mentions, "I link it to my morning coffee because I have morning coffee every day. So I know that that's when I do this routine." ([08:30])

Conclusion: Start with Intention

Omar wraps up by reinforcing the importance of starting the day with intention rather than reacting to circumstances. By dedicating five minutes to the GPP routine, entrepreneurs can set a purposeful tone for the day, leading to increased productivity and a more positive mindset.

Key Takeaway:
“It's not about having the perfect routine. It's about starting your day with intention, not reaction. Making sure you are in control. You are choosing how you start your day." ([09:00])

This intentional start serves as a foundation that positively influences the rest of the day, enabling entrepreneurs to navigate challenges with ease and confidence.

Additional Resources

• Three Things Newsletter:
  Omar offers a weekly newsletter titled "Three Things," providing subscribers with:

  1. Something to Think About
  2. Something to Do
  3. Something to Learn

  This is his way of offering remote coaching and continuous support to his audience.

• Free Guides:
  Listeners are encouraged to visit 100mba.net to sign up for free business guides, enhancing their entrepreneurial journey with more strategies and insights.

Notable Quotes

• "It shifts your brain from scarcity to, to abundance, instantly changing how you approach challenges." – Omar Zenhom ([02:30])
• "What you consume shapes how you show up. If you consume negativity and stress, you will be negative and stressed out. If you consume positivity and motivation, you'll be positive and motivated." – Omar Zenhom ([04:15])
• "If there was only one thing you got done today, what would you want it to be?" – Omar Zenhom ([06:45])
• "They say I'll believe it when I see it. Well, in business, it's actually you'll believe it when you see it in your mind." – Omar Zenhom ([07:20])
• "It's not about having the perfect routine. It's about starting your day with intention, not reaction. Making sure you are in control. You are choosing how you start your day." – Omar Zenhom ([09:00])

Final Thoughts

Omar Zenhom's MBA2609 episode offers a practical and efficient approach for entrepreneurs seeking to enhance their daily productivity without investing excessive time or resources. By implementing the GPP routine, listeners can cultivate a positive mindset, prioritize effectively, and set a purposeful tone for their business endeavors.