TIME MASTERY: “Win Your Day Before Noon” By Sherman Ray | Black Success Magazine

Introduction: The Clock Is Ticking—Are You in Charge of It?

There’s a quiet battle happening every morning. It’s not waged with weapons, but with willpower. Before the sun fully rises, destiny is being decided—not by chance, but by choice. Winners and whiners face the same clock. The question is: who owns the morning? Because if you can win your day before noon, you’ll start winning your life.

Let’s be honest. Many of us were never taught to master time—we were told to watch it. We were told to be on time, not to own time. But time mastery isn’t about a watch on your wrist. It’s about the weapon in your mind.

You want success? Then command your mornings. Because the first part of your day doesn’t just predict your productivity. It shapes your mentality, momentum, and mission.

Why Mornings Matter More Than You Think

The most successful people on the planet—from business moguls to athletes to pastors—have one thing in common: they don’t sleep through their purpose.

A well-structured morning acts like a GPS for your soul. It centers you spiritually, sharpens you mentally, and propels you physically.

And science backs this up. Studies show that early risers are more proactive, consistent, and goal-driven. Why? Because there are fewer distractions, less noise, and a clearer connection to what matters most.

Think about it: before your phone starts buzzing, your kids need breakfast, or your boss drops another emergency in your lap—you’ve got a golden window. Use it well, and you’ve already put points on the scoreboard.

The Blueprint: Building a Morning Routine That Works for You

You don’t need a five-hour routine with cold plunges and $12 green juice. What you need is a repeatable rhythm that fits your faith, fuels your focus, and jumpstarts your hustle.

Let’s break it down:

1.

Start with God – Faith First

“But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33

Start your day in alignment with the One who created it. Before Instagram, email, or ESPN—go vertical. Open your Bible. Say a prayer. Play worship music. Meditate on a Psalm.

Pro Tip: Keep a “First 15” rule.

• 5 minutes of Scripture

• 5 minutes of prayer

• 5 minutes of quiet reflection or journaling

This isn’t about religion—it’s about relationship. A focused mind begins with a centered soul.

2.

Move Your Body – Energize Your Temple

You don’t need a full gym. You need movement. Stretch, walk, do push-ups—anything that gets your blood flowing. Physical activity first thing in the morning:

• Wakes up your brain

• Releases feel-good endorphins

• Builds discipline into your day

You’re not just exercising muscles—you’re exercising mastery. You’re telling your body, “I’m in control.”

Bonus: Health is wealth. And energy is the currency of success.

3.

Review Your Priorities – Focus Your Fire

The morning isn’t for panic—it’s for planning. Before the day drags you into the drama, choose your top 3 priorities.

Ask yourself:

• What must I accomplish today to move the needle forward?

• What’s urgent vs. what’s important?

• Who needs my best energy?

Use a planner, digital app, or simple notepad. The point is to get clear. Clarity is power.

Pro Tip: Tackle your hardest or most important task before noon—when your mental energy is highest.

4.

Speak Life – Fuel Your Mind with Positivity

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” – Proverbs 18:21

Before the world tells you who you’re not—remind yourself who you are. Speak affirmations. Recite Scriptures. Declare success over your life, your family, your business.

Try these:

• “I have the mind of Christ. I think clearly and creatively.”

• “Doors are opening for me today that no man can shut.”

• “I’m blessed to be a blessing.”

  
  

You’re not just talking to hear yourself. You’re programming your subconscious to believe what God already said about you.

5.

Protect Your Space – Minimize Morning Noise

Be ruthless with your first hour. That means:

• No social media scrolling

• No email triage

• No chaos from yesterday’s drama

Make your morning sacred. Protect it like it’s your future—because it is.

The average person checks their phone 96 times a day. Don’t let someone else’s feed control your feelings.

Own your morning. Don’t rent it out.

Case Study: What Successful Black Leaders Do Before Noon

Take a look at some high-achievers in our community:

• Daymond John, founder of FUBU and investor on Shark Tank, wakes up early, meditates, exercises, and reviews his goals—before checking emails.

• Michelle Obama rises before the family, gets in her workout, and centers herself with quiet time.

• Eric Thomas (ET the Hip-Hop Preacher) is up by 3 a.m. every morning! He spends time in the Word, prays, and writes—all before the world wakes up.

They’re not superheroes. They’re just committed. And commitment is what separates successful people from the scattered.

Win the Morning, and the Day Bows to You

Let’s break it down:

• By 9:00 a.m., you’ve connected with God, sharpened your body, and set your priorities.

• By 10:00 a.m., you’ve made progress on a major goal while most people are still checking voicemails.

• By 11:30 a.m., your confidence is high, your clarity is strong, and your purpose is on fire.

At that point, the rest of the day isn’t leading you. You’re leading it.

What Happens If You Don’t Master Your Morning?

Let’s flip the script for a second. When you don’t command your mornings, here’s what happens:

• You chase rather than lead.

• You react rather than respond.

• You survive rather than succeed.

The day starts pulling you in ten directions—and none of them are forward.

Time management isn’t just a skill. It’s spiritual warfare. Because the enemy of your purpose isn’t always sin—it’s often distraction.

Challenge: Create a “Faith + Focus” Morning Routine

Let’s build a practical plan. Try this sample structure and tweak it to fit your life:

6:00 AM – Wake up and thank God. (Gratitude resets your spirit)

6:15 AM – Read a devotional or Scripture (Start your day aligned)

6:30 AM – Move your body (20–30 minutes of walking, stretching, etc.)

7:00 AM – Shower and dress with intention (Even if you work from home)

7:30 AM – Review goals and priorities (Write down Top 3)

8:00 AM – Affirmations + quick review of calendar

8:30 AM – Begin your biggest or hardest task

You’ve just “won” your morning—and it’s not even noon yet.

Closing Thoughts: Redeem the Time

Ephesians 5:16 says:

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Redeem. Reclaim. Rescue your hours from the grip of mediocrity.

Your life doesn’t change in the middle of the day. It changes in the beginning. If you want different results, start with a different routine.

Don’t snooze your purpose. Don’t scroll past your calling.

It’s time to get up, lock in, and win before noon.

Final Word: You’ve Got 24 Hours—Use the First Few Like a Boss

Every morning God gives you a fresh 24-hour check. How you spend those hours determines what kind of life you’ll live.

So ask yourself:

• Am I using my mornings to grow, or to coast?

• Do I own my time, or am I renting it out to distractions?

• What can I change this week to win before noon?

At Black Success Magazine, we believe your best days aren’t behind you—they’re ahead. But you’ve got to beat the sun to stay ahead of the game.

Remember: Success doesn’t start with hustle. It starts with habits.

And the first habit worth mastering? Time.

So go on. Set that alarm. Say that prayer. Stretch those muscles. And show up like the world is waiting on what only you can bring.

Because it is.