A Full Day Before 8:30 AM

It is 6:42 AM and just like that, one has flown the coop.

In a race to beat the clock, my active teens test every minute as we gear up for another day. As fellow working women, I know so many can relate to having lived a full day before the workday officially begins. Caregiving for kids, pets, elderly loved ones, family members with special needs and everything in between often takes priority over the peaceful morning routine we imagine for ourselves.

Before most calendars officially open, there are lunches packed, water bottles filled, missing sneakers found, study guides reviewed, and at least one semi-urgent search for something that could not possibly have been located the night before. Nothing reminds you faster that you are a mere mortal mom than hearing, “the only teal tank top is missing and I need it urgently.” 

Meanwhile, even our guinea pig has strong views on the preferred timing of breakfast. 

Leading people and operations, my workday often quietly starts alongside our distribution center team at 6:30am. The messages begin rolling in while jasmine tea is brewing, breakfast is cooking, and someone is asking where their Chromebook charger was last seen. I have always appreciated that early connection point to the business; understanding what is moving, what needs attention, and how we collectively set the tone for the day ahead.

Some mornings are smooth sailing, and I can sneak in a few LinkedIn messages. Others are knee-deep in 7th grade plant vocabulary, reviewing for a history exam, or taking one last glance at an English presentation rubric before everyone runs out the door.

And somehow, there is enormous satisfaction in all that can be accomplished before the sun is fully awake.

At a recent Vision Monday leadership summit, speakers talked about resilience, adaptability, and leading through change. They discussed recovery rituals, grounding habits, and how leaders stay steady when the world feels in constant motion. Sitting there, I realized my own morning rhythm has developed organically over time to best support whatever the day ahead may bring -- partly engineered, with some wiggle room, and space for thoughts to flow.

And when connecting with other working women, I realized so many of us have carefully engineered our own versions of these mornings to make life’s puzzle pieces fit. Not perfectly or glamorously, but resourcefully and consistently.

By 7:40, everyone is gone and the house suddenly exhales.

That is when I lace up.

As an early-career professional commuting into NYC for nearly a decade, I learned quickly that movement clears my head and resets my energy. I may not be sprinting for a train anymore, but I still fiercely protect a little window of fresh air before the day fully begins. Even in winter.

My walk is one part exercise, and in equal measure a reset.

Some days I listen to podcasts or audiobooks, some days music, other days silence. It is where difficult conversations get practiced and soften a bit, where ideas begin to take shape, and where I remind myself to show up open and fully present for our team.

Because the truth is, it is hard to be a giving leader, listener, colleague, spouse, or parent if you stay emotionally tangled in whatever happened earlier that morning.

And every day seems to call for unique adaptability. One email can reprioritize everything. A Teams message can drive a complete calendar pivot. The ability to navigate uncertainty calmly has become one of the most important muscles many of us build; often without even realizing it.

For me, resilience is not really about endlessly pushing through. It is about finding small ways to reset and recharge before the next wave comes.

Sometimes that means a walk and deep box breathing. Sometimes it is five quiet minutes before opening the laptop. Often it is simply recalling three great things that happened yesterday and taking a moment to feel grateful.

At 8:30 every morning, our leadership launchpad call begins; by the time that call starts, a whole day has already been lived.

Faces appear on screen as we connect on priorities, opportunities, challenges, and momentum for the day ahead. As the facilitator, my energy needs to be genuine, present and steady.  The rich conversation is complete with sharing updates and exchanging ideas; coaching with intention and smiles. 

Taking a delicious sip of tea, I reflect on the delicate morning balancing act: shifting between nurturing, problem-solving, organizing, encouraging, and leading.

By the time the official workday begins, many women have already solved problems, calmed nerves, pivoted repeatedly, and somehow still found a way to lead with heart… all before 8:30 AM. 😊

Written by Jennifer Trakhtenberg