You've probably heard some version of "however you start the day is how it goes." It sounds like a cliché, but there's a fairly ordinary mechanism behind it, and it has less to do with motivation than you'd think.
Early decisions shape the ones after
The first five minutes after you pick up your phone in the morning set a reference point for the rest of your day. Bad news, a crowded notification list, or a rushed morning can push your brain into an "on alert" mode that lingers for hours.
It's habit, not motivation
You don't need motivation to have a good morning, mostly because motivation is at its lowest point right when you wake up. What actually works is small, repeated steps you can do without thinking. A few simple things done in the same order reduce decision fatigue before the day has even started.
The sound in the room is a choice too
What's playing at home in the morning is a decision, even if it's usually made without noticing. Leaving the TV on, listening to the news, or sitting in total silence all send your mind somewhere different. Starting with something calmer can help you enter the day from a less reactive place.
You don't need a perfect routine
One broken morning doesn't ruin everything. What matters is that most mornings follow a similar shape, not that every single one is identical. A little consistency does more than a flawless plan ever could.