Prep Before You Play

Prep Before You Play: How to Set the Tone for a Powerful Day

How you start and end your day sets the tone for everything in between. I call it "Prep Before You Play." Think about it — would you jump straight into a workout without stretching first? Probably not. Without a proper warm-up, you risk pulling a muscle or limiting your performance.

The same principle applies to your day.

When you roll out of bed and dive straight into the chaos without pausing to center yourself — through meditation, gratitude, prayer, or journaling — you’re not just unprepared... you’re inviting stress, frustration, and misalignment.

Starting Strong: Your morning routine isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about getting your mind and spirit in the right position to tackle what lies ahead. Even five minutes of silence or intentional breathing can shift your entire mindset. Wake up your purpose before you pick up your phone.

Ending with Intention: The end of your day deserves just as much care. Instead of collapsing into bed with your to-do list still racing through your head, take time to decompress. Reflect on what went well. Release what didn’t. Reconnect with your "why."

Tonight, reflect on this: What’s one small thing you can do tomorrow morning to "prep before you play"? And what can you commit to in the evening to close your day with clarity?

You might just find a stronger sense of patience, peace, and purpose waiting for you. And who knows? You may even surprise yourself with a pretty solid game plan.

Start strong. Finish stronger. And remember: the best players never skip warm-up.