I have maintained a daily morning routine for 5+ years now, with dramatic results.
1. No loss of energy; no tiredness
2. I am actively present through the day
3. It helps me compound the most important things for me
It starts with the previous night...
1. No loss of energy; no tiredness
2. I am actively present through the day
3. It helps me compound the most important things for me
It starts with the previous night...
By 9am, my wife and I have retired to our bed.
Kids (aged 12 and 5) have slept by 8/830am.
We catch up on our day.
And sleep by 930pm.
Why?
1. The key to waking up early is sleeping on time
2. You cannot EVER wake up early with half-sleep. I need my 7-8hrs.
Kids (aged 12 and 5) have slept by 8/830am.
We catch up on our day.
And sleep by 930pm.
Why?
1. The key to waking up early is sleeping on time
2. You cannot EVER wake up early with half-sleep. I need my 7-8hrs.
I wake up between 430-5am everyday.
My wife at the same time.
The first thing I do, is to sip a glass of water, for 15 minutes.
Why?
1. Waking up slowly, as against rushing through the delicate phase.
2. Cherishing something basic. Enjoying every sip, feeling it!
My wife at the same time.
The first thing I do, is to sip a glass of water, for 15 minutes.
Why?
1. Waking up slowly, as against rushing through the delicate phase.
2. Cherishing something basic. Enjoying every sip, feeling it!
At 5am, I sit down to meditate.
I mediate for 30 mins (7+ years now; 1400+ day streak currently)
I listen to the voice of water, birds and wind.
A bell every 10 mins.
I prefer @calm for this. Its free for this basic need. Paid for guided meditations.
I mediate for 30 mins (7+ years now; 1400+ day streak currently)
I listen to the voice of water, birds and wind.
A bell every 10 mins.
I prefer @calm for this. Its free for this basic need. Paid for guided meditations.
At 530am, I pick up a book.
Read for 30 mins, on my kindle, while lying on my sofa.
By this time, my wife leaves for Tennis.
Notice, everything so far is my time with myself.
No one or nothing else.
Read for 30 mins, on my kindle, while lying on my sofa.
By this time, my wife leaves for Tennis.
Notice, everything so far is my time with myself.
No one or nothing else.
At 6am, I check my phone for WhatsApp messages only.
My emails have been paused and will be delivered at 8am.
Very rarely will I reply on social media. Max 5 mins for now.
All this will happen while I will be on the pot doing epic sh... :))
My emails have been paused and will be delivered at 8am.
Very rarely will I reply on social media. Max 5 mins for now.
All this will happen while I will be on the pot doing epic sh... :))
At 610am, I wake up my kids.
Nice gentle rub on their back, kisses, asking if they slept well.
My job is to get them ready for school.
Vidur (12) gets ready by himself now.
Uzma (5) needs some help and I am more than happy to.
Joyful!
Nice gentle rub on their back, kisses, asking if they slept well.
My job is to get them ready for school.
Vidur (12) gets ready by himself now.
Uzma (5) needs some help and I am more than happy to.
Joyful!
By 630am, Ruchi is back from Tennis and the kids are (almost) ready.
Her job is to drop them to their bus stop.
I head for my tennis now.
We have a court in our complex.
I play doubles everyday.
1hr of running and sweating.
Her job is to drop them to their bus stop.
I head for my tennis now.
We have a court in our complex.
I play doubles everyday.
1hr of running and sweating.
At 730am, I head to the gym (in our complex).
Lift weights for 45-50 mins.
I used to do a body part everyday, for 6 days.
Changed that 4 months back. Now mixed everyday, guided by my trainer Sagar.
Lift weights for 45-50 mins.
I used to do a body part everyday, for 6 days.
Changed that 4 months back. Now mixed everyday, guided by my trainer Sagar.
At 830am, I come back and read the newspaper.
Hindustan Times and Economic Times - have been reading both for over 15 yrs.
Hindustan Times and Economic Times - have been reading both for over 15 yrs.
At 9am, I go and shower.
By 930am I am ready for the day.
Which means, by the time I sit down to attend to the world, I have had ~5 HOURS to myself, doing things I want to do!
How does this help?
By 930am I am ready for the day.
Which means, by the time I sit down to attend to the world, I have had ~5 HOURS to myself, doing things I want to do!
How does this help?
1. It sets me up for the day.
Meditation + reading + playing + working out = takes care of everything
2. Paces me well
I am not rushed. I am not waking up just-in-time to do anything. I own my speed.
3. It gives me thinking time
Sipping water, meditation, working out - me time!
Meditation + reading + playing + working out = takes care of everything
2. Paces me well
I am not rushed. I am not waking up just-in-time to do anything. I own my speed.
3. It gives me thinking time
Sipping water, meditation, working out - me time!
I do not stress upon such a routine for most people.
But I do stress upon a routine.
Whatever time you wake up, BEFORE you attend to the world, attend to yourself.
But I do stress upon a routine.
Whatever time you wake up, BEFORE you attend to the world, attend to yourself.
The worst thing people do is to wake up and check their phone!
In that moment, you are submitting your thoughts to the whims and fancies of what have happened in the world, most of which is outside of your control.
Someone's comment, some news, some video - can trigger you!
In that moment, you are submitting your thoughts to the whims and fancies of what have happened in the world, most of which is outside of your control.
Someone's comment, some news, some video - can trigger you!
Respect yourself.
Build a routine for your morning.
A routine that protects your mind, your soul and body - because that's the only thing you got!
Build a routine for your morning.
A routine that protects your mind, your soul and body - because that's the only thing you got!
Some disclaimers
1. My routine smacks of privilege. I recognize that. We are fortunate to have a lot of help and comfort.
My responsibility is to make the most of it.
2. A massive contributor to this is my wife. If we didn't think alike, most of this would be difficult.
1. My routine smacks of privilege. I recognize that. We are fortunate to have a lot of help and comfort.
My responsibility is to make the most of it.
2. A massive contributor to this is my wife. If we didn't think alike, most of this would be difficult.
3. If I am traveling, I make it a point to still read and meditate.
If I am staying out, then I work out too. Either at the hotel gym, or body weight if not available.
4. Ofcourse these time slots are flexible. It sound boring, but it is not. I own my time, not vice versa.
If I am staying out, then I work out too. Either at the hotel gym, or body weight if not available.
4. Ofcourse these time slots are flexible. It sound boring, but it is not. I own my time, not vice versa.
Whatever time you wake up, BEFORE you attend to the world, attend to yourself.
Loading suggestions...