My Morning Miles: Why Backward Design Works for Life, Too

I’m a big believer in backward design—not just in teaching, but in life. I like to begin each day with the end goal in mind, and during the school year, that goal usually includes racking up 12 to 17 miles of movement.

One of my favorite parts of this routine is the 3–5 mile walk I take every morning with a dear friend before the school day kicks off. We meet a couple of hours before first bell, in nearly every kind of weather—rain jackets, extra layers, umbrellas, even ice cleats when winter hits. At the end of each walk, we set the next day’s meeting time, keeping the momentum going.

These early morning miles ground me, energize me, and remind me that consistency doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to be intentional.

How do you like to power up your day?