If you're a regular reader of this blog, you're aware of my recent failure at my attempt to introduce meditation into my morning routine. (If you're not, you can read about it here.) What i failed to mention in that post was that failing in meditation also derailed the whole thing.
It's not as bad as it sounds -- i still wake up early and tend to get more accomplished before i leave for work. Also, instead of exercising twice a week i've been doing pullups in the gym at my workplace and plenty of laborious work around the house. It's not perfect but it's something.
I also mentioned in that post about how the lack of success in the meditation challenge brought up thoughts of failure, motivation, dedication, and delayed gratification, among other things.
Why was i not successful implementing a morning routine? Was it because i simply didn't want it that bad? Was it a lack of dedication / motivation? I'm sure all of that played a role. It also made me want to explore further the reason that i'm unable to delay gratification. I've recently purchased The Marshmellow Test: Mastering Self Control but i'm putting off reading it even though i know that it's what's best for me. (see what i did there?) In all seriousness, i'm a couple chapters deep.
This challenge has not gone as planned since i have yet to develop a morning routine. I can choose to sulk or i can take what i've learned and continue to get better every day. The obvious choice is the latter.
I will begin a new 21-day challenge in June.
Showing posts with label Morning Routine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Morning Routine. Show all posts
Morning Routine: Meditate - Conclusion
Unhappy to report that the meditation challenge was a flop. I simply didn't make an honest effort. A few days after the challenge began, i realized that i just wasn't that excited about it. It felt forced.
Although it wasn't a success, it forced me to think about things.
Things like failure, motivation, dedication, delayed gratification, etc.
I'll get more into this on the post for the conclusion of the morning routine.
Although it wasn't a success, it forced me to think about things.
Things like failure, motivation, dedication, delayed gratification, etc.
I'll get more into this on the post for the conclusion of the morning routine.
Morning Routine: Meditate - Day 1
Today was the first day of the meditation challenge. It just so happened that i woke up and it was the warmest it's been all year! I used my 5 minutes of meditation time to go outside and sit. I sat quietly and tried to maintain a low gaze.
For those of you who've tried to meditate before, "Sit down and shut up!" is probably the hardest thing in the world to do. My eyes wander, my thoughts race, i hear sounds and try to identify them.
It's going to happen. We simply observe our thoughts and let them pass. Eventually, the thoughts will be less constant and the space between thoughts will expand. This is the magic spot! The space between the thoughts...
Anyways, meditation isn't a contest and it's not something in which we need to judge ourselves. We remind ourselves that it's a PRACTICE. It's not going to be easy at first, nor should we expect it to be.
Here's to day ONE of the rest of our lives!
For those of you who've tried to meditate before, "Sit down and shut up!" is probably the hardest thing in the world to do. My eyes wander, my thoughts race, i hear sounds and try to identify them.
It's going to happen. We simply observe our thoughts and let them pass. Eventually, the thoughts will be less constant and the space between thoughts will expand. This is the magic spot! The space between the thoughts...
Anyways, meditation isn't a contest and it's not something in which we need to judge ourselves. We remind ourselves that it's a PRACTICE. It's not going to be easy at first, nor should we expect it to be.
Here's to day ONE of the rest of our lives!
Morning Routine: Meditate - Introduction
Now that i successfully wake up before sun, spend time exploring my creative brain, and then do something to benefit my body, it's time to implement the next aspect of my morning routine -- meditation. I've never been able to make meditation a part of my daily life, even after a 21-day challenge in the past.
The goal is to make it a part of my morning routine and therefore something that i don't even have to think about anymore. It's naturally occurring.
I have chosen a spot for in my house solely for the purpose of meditating. It's not glamorous, but it's mine. I will eventually begin to calm just by entering this space, as my mind, body, and soul will instinctively know what's to come.
I'll start Monday, and i'll meditate directly after my strength training routine.
The goal is to make it a part of my morning routine and therefore something that i don't even have to think about anymore. It's naturally occurring.
I have chosen a spot for in my house solely for the purpose of meditating. It's not glamorous, but it's mine. I will eventually begin to calm just by entering this space, as my mind, body, and soul will instinctively know what's to come.
I'll start Monday, and i'll meditate directly after my strength training routine.
Morning Routine: Diet/Exercise - Conclusion
The diet and exercise portion of the morning routine was an important one. I find that exercise, particularly, is a habit that begins a windfall of other healthy activities. Charles Duhigg, in his book The Power of Habit, describes these types of habits as keystone habits.
I naturally begin to focus on what i'm putting into my body. I get better sleep. I simply live a healthier lifestyle.
In addition to the morning strength training sessions twice a week, i also used my 15 minute breaks at work to go to the company gym and do pullups and situps. Over the 21 days, i did 238 pullups -- probably more pullups than i've done in the past 3+ years combined.
In regard to overall health and wellness though, diet is the most important aspect. This is why meal prep is so important. I don't have the desire to come home after work and begin a meal from scratch. Cooking large batches twice per week and creatively using leftovers has been very helpful. So has keeping hard-boiled eggs around. I like to eat them plain, with a touch of salt, or blended into an egg salad.
Although, i've only lost 5 pounds in the last three weeks, this is just the beginning. Scale weight isn't the best statistic to measure, anyways. I should've used a tape measure or at least taken photos. I don't necessarily need the motivation though. This is something that is going to stick with me for the long haul. No excuses.
I naturally begin to focus on what i'm putting into my body. I get better sleep. I simply live a healthier lifestyle.
In addition to the morning strength training sessions twice a week, i also used my 15 minute breaks at work to go to the company gym and do pullups and situps. Over the 21 days, i did 238 pullups -- probably more pullups than i've done in the past 3+ years combined.
In regard to overall health and wellness though, diet is the most important aspect. This is why meal prep is so important. I don't have the desire to come home after work and begin a meal from scratch. Cooking large batches twice per week and creatively using leftovers has been very helpful. So has keeping hard-boiled eggs around. I like to eat them plain, with a touch of salt, or blended into an egg salad.
Although, i've only lost 5 pounds in the last three weeks, this is just the beginning. Scale weight isn't the best statistic to measure, anyways. I should've used a tape measure or at least taken photos. I don't necessarily need the motivation though. This is something that is going to stick with me for the long haul. No excuses.
Morning Routine: Diet/Exercise - Days 17 thru 21
Day 17 - Meal prep. Chili in the slow cooker for dinner on day one and lunch on day two. Mixed in some spaghetti sauce and threw it on some noodles for dinner on day two. Also boiled some eggs.
Day 18 - Strength training. Workout "B". 2 rounds of: 1-leg romanian deadlift, chinups (4 seconds on the lowering part), hamstring curls, and good mornings. Removed the planks and instead did situps on an exercise ball at work while doing pullups.
Day 19 - Mobility. Spent 15 minutes rolling around on the lacrosse ball and stretching. Good way to start the morning.
Day 20 - Cardio. skipped the workout. I have an excuse, but it's just that. An excuse.
Day 21 - Meal prep. Pork tenderloin in the slow cooker equals dinner on day one and lunch on day two. Leftover tenderloin was re-purposed for dinner on day two. Also boiled a dozen eggs to have on hand to eat.
Cardio, since i didn't do it the day before. Ran a shorter distance but at a much quicker pace.
Day 18 - Strength training. Workout "B". 2 rounds of: 1-leg romanian deadlift, chinups (4 seconds on the lowering part), hamstring curls, and good mornings. Removed the planks and instead did situps on an exercise ball at work while doing pullups.
Day 19 - Mobility. Spent 15 minutes rolling around on the lacrosse ball and stretching. Good way to start the morning.
Day 20 - Cardio. skipped the workout. I have an excuse, but it's just that. An excuse.
Day 21 - Meal prep. Pork tenderloin in the slow cooker equals dinner on day one and lunch on day two. Leftover tenderloin was re-purposed for dinner on day two. Also boiled a dozen eggs to have on hand to eat.
Cardio, since i didn't do it the day before. Ran a shorter distance but at a much quicker pace.
Morning Routine: Diet/Exercise - Days 12 thru 16
The "diet and exercise" portion of the morning routine challenge continues. Here's what's happened over the last 5 days:
Day 12 - Mobiliity work. Stretching and lacrosse ball.
Day 13 - Cardio. Ran 1.25 miles around my neighborhood. I know that it was 1.25 miles because i tracked it via MapMyRun.
Day 14 - Meal Prep. I made a big batch of beef stew and boiled a dozen eggs for the next couple of days.
Day 15 - Workout "A". 2 rounds of: Dumbbell front squats to overhead press, 1-arm 1-leg dumbbell row, walking lunges w/ sprinter knee raise, wide-grip pushups, kettlebell swings.
Day 16 - Lacrosse ball treatment. Worked on sore spots, mostly my back -- sore from the pullups (see below) and kettlebell swings.
I'm beginning to find my routine. I'm focusing more on my health and using [some of] my breaks at work to do pullups and ab exercises. The weight hasn't fallen off as quickly as i'd like but i'm just being impatient. The focus is on the long-term.
Day 12 - Mobiliity work. Stretching and lacrosse ball.
Day 13 - Cardio. Ran 1.25 miles around my neighborhood. I know that it was 1.25 miles because i tracked it via MapMyRun.
Day 14 - Meal Prep. I made a big batch of beef stew and boiled a dozen eggs for the next couple of days.
Day 15 - Workout "A". 2 rounds of: Dumbbell front squats to overhead press, 1-arm 1-leg dumbbell row, walking lunges w/ sprinter knee raise, wide-grip pushups, kettlebell swings.
Day 16 - Lacrosse ball treatment. Worked on sore spots, mostly my back -- sore from the pullups (see below) and kettlebell swings.
I'm beginning to find my routine. I'm focusing more on my health and using [some of] my breaks at work to do pullups and ab exercises. The weight hasn't fallen off as quickly as i'd like but i'm just being impatient. The focus is on the long-term.
Morning Routine: Diet/Exercise - Days 8 thru 11
The journey continues. Here's an update of the last few days.
Day 8 - Strength training. Or -- should've been. As mentioned in the previous post, i overdid myself last week and was forced to take a day off. I used the time to do some extra mobility work.
Day 9 - Mobility. The typical "roll around on a lacrosse ball" stuff i've been talking about.
Day 10 - Meal prep. Made an entire chicken in the crock pot. Used the breasts with rice for dinner and lunch the following day. The rest of the meat will be shredded and turned into chicken noodle soup using the stock from the bones.
Day 11 - Strength training. Workout "B". 2 rounds of: 1-leg romanian deadlift, chinups (4 seconds on the lowering part), hamstring curls, planks, and good mornings.
Day 11 - Strength training. Workout "B". 2 rounds of: 1-leg romanian deadlift, chinups (4 seconds on the lowering part), hamstring curls, planks, and good mornings.
Morning Routine: Diet/Exercise - Days 4 thru 7
Here's how the last four days of the diet/exercise challenge have gone:
Day 4 - Strength training. All exercises were performed for 2 sets and 10 reps. Planks were 30 seconds (to failure) and chin-ups were to failure.
Single-leg romanian deadlift - 15 lbs
Chin ups (4-sec negatives) - bodyweight
Hamstring curls - 25 lbs
Plank - bodyweight
Good mornings - 45 lbs
Day 5 - Mobilility. I focused on the sore spots from training the day prior. Just rolled around on the lacrosse ball.
Day 6 - Cardio. The weather was nice for the first time all year. Perfect time for an outdoor run. Probably only ran a mile but it was enough. (more than enough)
Day 7 - Meal prep. Made this meatloaf that was dinner, lunch the following day, and dinner again that night. I change it up so i don't get bored. It was meatloaf and potatoes for dinner/lunch and i mixed the leftover meatloaf with some rice for the next dinner.
My shins are in tons of pain from running and i threw my back out standing up too quickly. That type of shit happens when we try to do too much too soon. Now i'll be forced to miss at least one workout. I should've been smarter.
Aging is difficult.
Day 4 - Strength training. All exercises were performed for 2 sets and 10 reps. Planks were 30 seconds (to failure) and chin-ups were to failure.
Single-leg romanian deadlift - 15 lbs
Chin ups (4-sec negatives) - bodyweight
Hamstring curls - 25 lbs
Plank - bodyweight
Good mornings - 45 lbs
Day 5 - Mobilility. I focused on the sore spots from training the day prior. Just rolled around on the lacrosse ball.
Day 6 - Cardio. The weather was nice for the first time all year. Perfect time for an outdoor run. Probably only ran a mile but it was enough. (more than enough)
Day 7 - Meal prep. Made this meatloaf that was dinner, lunch the following day, and dinner again that night. I change it up so i don't get bored. It was meatloaf and potatoes for dinner/lunch and i mixed the leftover meatloaf with some rice for the next dinner.
Aging is difficult.
Morning Routine: Diet/Exercise - Days 1 thru 3
Diet/Exercise challenge is a go. I lifted weights on Monday, did mobility work and stretching on Tuesday, and prepped meals on Wednesday. Here're the details:
Monday - Strength Training
I plan to loosely follow a workout outlined in Tim Ferriss' The Four Hour Body called Critical (M)Ass: The Kiwi’s Complete A/B Workout. I say loosely because i haven't yet figured out how i'll accomplish all of these exercises in my home gym, particularly, the swiss ball exercise and the reverse hypers in the "B" portion of the workout.
Anyways, i started slow. All exercises were performed in order, not resting until the circuit was complete. I did 2 sets and 10 reps of everything except the kettlebell swings, of which i performed 20 reps.
Dumbbell (DB) front squat to overhead press - 15# dumbbells (limited by left shoulder)
1-arm 1-leg DB row - 10#
Walking lunges with sprinter knee raise - bodyweight
Wide-grip pushups - bodyweight
Kettlebell swings - 35#
Tuesday - Mobility
Took time to stretch and work on my sore areas with a lacrosse ball. Basically, i roll over areas of my body until i find a sore spot. When i do, i relax and let the ball penetrate deep into the muscle tissues. The goal is to get the muscle to fully release itself. I'm not a doctor, but it works.
Wednesday - Meal Prep
I woke up to find that i hadn't set the dishwasher to run overnight so the crockpot was dirty. I whined, sulked, and went back to bed and watched the news on tv. Talk about self-sabotage. Anyways, i ended up baking the chicken thighs instead of using the slow cooker. Threw it on some rice.
Monday - Strength Training
I plan to loosely follow a workout outlined in Tim Ferriss' The Four Hour Body called Critical (M)Ass: The Kiwi’s Complete A/B Workout. I say loosely because i haven't yet figured out how i'll accomplish all of these exercises in my home gym, particularly, the swiss ball exercise and the reverse hypers in the "B" portion of the workout.
Anyways, i started slow. All exercises were performed in order, not resting until the circuit was complete. I did 2 sets and 10 reps of everything except the kettlebell swings, of which i performed 20 reps.
Dumbbell (DB) front squat to overhead press - 15# dumbbells (limited by left shoulder)
1-arm 1-leg DB row - 10#
Walking lunges with sprinter knee raise - bodyweight
Wide-grip pushups - bodyweight
Kettlebell swings - 35#
Tuesday - Mobility
Took time to stretch and work on my sore areas with a lacrosse ball. Basically, i roll over areas of my body until i find a sore spot. When i do, i relax and let the ball penetrate deep into the muscle tissues. The goal is to get the muscle to fully release itself. I'm not a doctor, but it works.
Wednesday - Meal Prep
I woke up to find that i hadn't set the dishwasher to run overnight so the crockpot was dirty. I whined, sulked, and went back to bed and watched the news on tv. Talk about self-sabotage. Anyways, i ended up baking the chicken thighs instead of using the slow cooker. Threw it on some rice.
Morning Routine: Diet/Exercise - Introduction
If you've been following this blog or know me IRL then you know that my health and fitness is always in a state of flux. After high school (where i was a 2 sport athlete) i went to college and gained 40 pounds (where i was a 0 sport athlete). I eventually lost all the weight, only to put it back on again. I lose it, i put it back on. I lose it, i put it back on.
I want to get off the roller coaster and make a healthy lifestyle an everyday, all-the-time thing. Therefore, I'm making a part of my morning routine to ensure that being healthy is a regular part of normal day.
After waking early, drinking an organic hemp protein shake in water, and "creating," i will dedicate time to my body. I will prep meals on Sundays and Wednesdays. I will strength train on Mondays and Thursdays. I will do mobility work on Tuesdays and Fridays. Cardio comes on Saturday.
The idea of cooking only twice a week is something that interests me. I rarely want to come home after work and begin preparing a meal from scratch so this will allow me to get around that. Large batches of crock pot meals and "freezer friendly" foods will make up the majority of my dinners and lunches. Repurposed leftovers are integral as i don't want to simply eat the same meals over and over again.
I currently weigh around 180. My ultimate goal weight is between 155 - 165 pounds, unless my body fat is super low -- then the sky is the limit. I'd walk around at 220 if i was under 12%.
I want to get off the roller coaster and make a healthy lifestyle an everyday, all-the-time thing. Therefore, I'm making a part of my morning routine to ensure that being healthy is a regular part of normal day.
After waking early, drinking an organic hemp protein shake in water, and "creating," i will dedicate time to my body. I will prep meals on Sundays and Wednesdays. I will strength train on Mondays and Thursdays. I will do mobility work on Tuesdays and Fridays. Cardio comes on Saturday.
The idea of cooking only twice a week is something that interests me. I rarely want to come home after work and begin preparing a meal from scratch so this will allow me to get around that. Large batches of crock pot meals and "freezer friendly" foods will make up the majority of my dinners and lunches. Repurposed leftovers are integral as i don't want to simply eat the same meals over and over again.
I currently weigh around 180. My ultimate goal weight is between 155 - 165 pounds, unless my body fat is super low -- then the sky is the limit. I'd walk around at 220 if i was under 12%.
Morning Routine: Create - Conclusion
Using my brain in a creative way early in the morning jumpstarts my alertness and gets me ready to tackle the day.
Over the 21 days i've used the time to journal, cook, clean, blog, write, shovel, and more. I can promise that a majority of these things wouldn't have gotten accomplished without this challenge and the 30 minutes of dedicated time each morning.
I look forward to creating in the garden this spring. That's how i plan to use the majority of my morning creative time this spring and summer. Being outside in the wet grass under the warm sun. Can't wait!
The only drawback to this point is that the thought of "creating" still isn't exciting enough to get me out of bed. I'm looking for that "one thing" that has me out of bed before my alarm, full of anticipation for the new day.
The next part of the routine will be Diet/Exercise. In addition to waking up early and creating, i will either prep food, strength train, work on mobility, or do cardio. Starts soon, follow along!
Over the 21 days i've used the time to journal, cook, clean, blog, write, shovel, and more. I can promise that a majority of these things wouldn't have gotten accomplished without this challenge and the 30 minutes of dedicated time each morning.
I look forward to creating in the garden this spring. That's how i plan to use the majority of my morning creative time this spring and summer. Being outside in the wet grass under the warm sun. Can't wait!
The only drawback to this point is that the thought of "creating" still isn't exciting enough to get me out of bed. I'm looking for that "one thing" that has me out of bed before my alarm, full of anticipation for the new day.
The next part of the routine will be Diet/Exercise. In addition to waking up early and creating, i will either prep food, strength train, work on mobility, or do cardio. Starts soon, follow along!
Morning Routine: Create - Days 19 thru 21
Here's how the last three days of the challenge went down:
Day 19 - created a plan for the week and added them to Google Calendar
Day 20 - came up with a list of tasks to accomplish around the house since i was "snowed-in." Not technically, but enough snow that i wasn't leaving.
Day 21 - this post!
I'll follow up with a conclusion post in a couple of days. I hope that you enjoyed this series and maybe you'll begin to implement something similar in your own life.
Day 19 - created a plan for the week and added them to Google Calendar
Day 20 - came up with a list of tasks to accomplish around the house since i was "snowed-in." Not technically, but enough snow that i wasn't leaving.
Day 21 - this post!
I'll follow up with a conclusion post in a couple of days. I hope that you enjoyed this series and maybe you'll begin to implement something similar in your own life.
Morning Routine: Create - Days 13 thru 18
Day 13 - Journaled. Here's a slice:
"I thought about stopping [writing the full 750Words today] and saying "fuck it" but i figured it would be worthwhile just to grind it out.
if i stick to it on simple things like this maybe i will be able to stick it out through tougher trials and tribulations in my life. i have a lot of vices and i'm quick to slip and say fuck it when it comes to things that are really important or difficult. it's easier and more rewarding in the short term to just quit and do something that offers a reward in the here and now.
However, that's not the path. I know in my heart that the life worth living is the one that is lived purposefully. Getting caught up trying to constantly please myself in the moment doesn't allow me to sow the seeds needed for future success. it's all coming together. slower than i'd hoped but faster than i could've expected. just got to be real sometimes."
Day 14 - I spent 30 minutes cleaning up my man cave. i feel so much calmer in a tidy space.
Day 15 - Since i've been skipping breakfast, i used the 30 minutes to cook scrambled eggs and pack a lunch. I forgot the lunch in the fridge at home...
Day 16 - Journaled. An excerpt:
"I wish i had a focus. Perhaps my focus is just living my best and most authentic life. That doesn't excite me for some reason.
I honestly don't know what would get me out of bed excited each morning. I used to be excited to go fishing and hunting. I could rarely fall asleep the night before and i'd excitedly hop outta bed in the morning. That's what i'm looking for each and every day. That feeling of being so excited that i can't wait to start the day."
Day 17 - I prepped dinner. Stew in the crock pot. Forgot to take a picture..
Day 18 - This post!
"I thought about stopping [writing the full 750Words today] and saying "fuck it" but i figured it would be worthwhile just to grind it out.
if i stick to it on simple things like this maybe i will be able to stick it out through tougher trials and tribulations in my life. i have a lot of vices and i'm quick to slip and say fuck it when it comes to things that are really important or difficult. it's easier and more rewarding in the short term to just quit and do something that offers a reward in the here and now.
However, that's not the path. I know in my heart that the life worth living is the one that is lived purposefully. Getting caught up trying to constantly please myself in the moment doesn't allow me to sow the seeds needed for future success. it's all coming together. slower than i'd hoped but faster than i could've expected. just got to be real sometimes."
Day 14 - I spent 30 minutes cleaning up my man cave. i feel so much calmer in a tidy space.
Day 15 - Since i've been skipping breakfast, i used the 30 minutes to cook scrambled eggs and pack a lunch. I forgot the lunch in the fridge at home...
Day 16 - Journaled. An excerpt:
"I wish i had a focus. Perhaps my focus is just living my best and most authentic life. That doesn't excite me for some reason.
I honestly don't know what would get me out of bed excited each morning. I used to be excited to go fishing and hunting. I could rarely fall asleep the night before and i'd excitedly hop outta bed in the morning. That's what i'm looking for each and every day. That feeling of being so excited that i can't wait to start the day."
Day 17 - I prepped dinner. Stew in the crock pot. Forgot to take a picture..
Day 18 - This post!
Morning Routine: Create - Days 9 thru 12
The creations continue.
Day 9 - i sat down and came up with some "tenets," or guiding principles. The original list was over 25 items deep. i narrowed it down to 10 "10ets." In no particular order:
Day 10 - Prepped chicken noodle soup so that I'd have an easy, hot meal when i got home from work. Add chunks of chicken breasts, celery, carrots, chicken broth, salt and pepper, and whatever else you'd like. Cook on low for at least 8 hours. Cook noodles separately and add just before serving.
Day 11 - i drank too much the night before and stayed up late. the result was that i slept in and didn't have time to do anything but prepare to go to work. (boo! ME)
Day 12 - this post! (hey, it counts...)
Day 9 - i sat down and came up with some "tenets," or guiding principles. The original list was over 25 items deep. i narrowed it down to 10 "10ets." In no particular order:
- Drink more water than wine (or juice, coffee, soda, beer, etc)
- Actively seek ways to be of assistance
- Practice being in the present moment. "Where am I? Here I am."
- Do things today that my future self will be thankful for
- Apply the 80/20 rule as often as possible
- Consciously direct the flow of money in my life
- Take responsibility for my "roles" (family member, dog owner, employee, etc)
- Beat the sun (wake before sunrise)
- See the good -- Be the good
- Leave [it] better than i found it.
Day 10 - Prepped chicken noodle soup so that I'd have an easy, hot meal when i got home from work. Add chunks of chicken breasts, celery, carrots, chicken broth, salt and pepper, and whatever else you'd like. Cook on low for at least 8 hours. Cook noodles separately and add just before serving.
Day 11 - i drank too much the night before and stayed up late. the result was that i slept in and didn't have time to do anything but prepare to go to work. (boo! ME)
Day 12 - this post! (hey, it counts...)
Morning Routine: Create - Days 5 thru 8
Here's the roundup from the past four days:
Day 5 - wrote a bit on the topic of creating:
To create is to bring something into existence. To me, this is powerful. Without my own intervention and effort, it never would've come to fruition. It's also something that nobody else could have created. Each person puts their own individuality into a project.
As we see in those group painting classes where everybody paints the "same" picture -- how often does yours look like your neighbors? Never in the history of that class have two people produced identical paintings. It would be impossible. Therefore, a creation is a personal, one-of-a-kind contribution that nobody else in the world could have brought forth. Creating is a useful and worthwhile endeavor. I shall continue to create.
Creation is a mindset. All entrepreneurs are creators. Everything around us is a creation. Creations are also not limited to physical things. Systems are created, theories, philosophies, mathematics -- these are creations too.
Creations shape us. We are creations. Creations capable of creating.
Day 6 - can't get into details here but i created a piece of jewelry.
Day 7 - i prepped a meatloaf and tossed it in the slow cooker for dinner. i forgot to take a picture..
Day 8 - this blog post!
Nothing like getting those creative juices flowing early in the am!
Day 5 - wrote a bit on the topic of creating:
To create is to bring something into existence. To me, this is powerful. Without my own intervention and effort, it never would've come to fruition. It's also something that nobody else could have created. Each person puts their own individuality into a project.
As we see in those group painting classes where everybody paints the "same" picture -- how often does yours look like your neighbors? Never in the history of that class have two people produced identical paintings. It would be impossible. Therefore, a creation is a personal, one-of-a-kind contribution that nobody else in the world could have brought forth. Creating is a useful and worthwhile endeavor. I shall continue to create.
Creation is a mindset. All entrepreneurs are creators. Everything around us is a creation. Creations are also not limited to physical things. Systems are created, theories, philosophies, mathematics -- these are creations too.
Creations shape us. We are creations. Creations capable of creating.
Day 6 - can't get into details here but i created a piece of jewelry.
Day 7 - i prepped a meatloaf and tossed it in the slow cooker for dinner. i forgot to take a picture..
Day 8 - this blog post!
Nothing like getting those creative juices flowing early in the am!
Morning Routine: Create - Days 1 thru 4
Upon waking, i will spend around 30 minutes creating. Here's what i've done so far:
Day 1 - I woke up to all of this snow so i created a clean driveway.
Day 2 - My creation was a cleaner kitchen.
Day 3 - More snow to shovel.
Day 4 - The creation of this blog post!
As mentioned, creation is defined as "the action or process of bringing something into existence" so i consider a neater kitchen a creation. I'm being broad here. Don't want to pigeonhole myself into just writing or doing art.
Morning Routine: Create - Introduction
For the next 21 days -- and beyond -- i'll spend at least a half an hour creating upon waking. According to random articles on the internet, including this one, creativity peaks in the morning.
The definition of create is to bring something into existence. Without individual effort and personal intervention, it never would've existed. That's really enticing to me for some reason.
Anyways, i plan to bring something into existence each morning. My current thoughts surround journal entries and bad ass breakfasts but i'm sure i'll come up with something more than that.
Challenge begins on Monday.
The definition of create is to bring something into existence. Without individual effort and personal intervention, it never would've existed. That's really enticing to me for some reason.
Anyways, i plan to bring something into existence each morning. My current thoughts surround journal entries and bad ass breakfasts but i'm sure i'll come up with something more than that.
Challenge begins on Monday.
Morning Routine: Wake Up! - Conclusion
"Conclusion" is misleading as i'll continue to wake up before 6a. Summary is a better term for this and the upcoming Morning Routine challenges.
Although i failed to wake up as early as planned, i was (and continue to be) awake long before i would've been had i not been attempting this new lifestyle. I get a lot accomplished in the morning hours before departing to work and i'm looking forward to continuing the early-rising. For example, this week the latest i've been out of bed has been 6:20.
What's working for me is keeping my alarm on the other side of the room. Strategically placed alongside the alarm is my robe. The plush robe doesn't compare to the comfy bed but at this point it's closer. I just tell myself to put on the robe and head downstairs. I noticed that a lot of times when i faltered, it was because i would end up sleeping downstairs and didn't have the "robe trigger" in place. See this post i wrote on a partner blog about triggers.
Although i failed to wake up as early as planned, i was (and continue to be) awake long before i would've been had i not been attempting this new lifestyle. I get a lot accomplished in the morning hours before departing to work and i'm looking forward to continuing the early-rising. For example, this week the latest i've been out of bed has been 6:20.
What's working for me is keeping my alarm on the other side of the room. Strategically placed alongside the alarm is my robe. The plush robe doesn't compare to the comfy bed but at this point it's closer. I just tell myself to put on the robe and head downstairs. I noticed that a lot of times when i faltered, it was because i would end up sleeping downstairs and didn't have the "robe trigger" in place. See this post i wrote on a partner blog about triggers.
I'm also leaning on the hope that introducing more activity to my morning routine will be a catalyst to get out of bed. Since each challenge will build upon one another, waking up at a proper time will start to be essential if i want to accomplish it all.
My next challenge is to create. After waking and drinking a glass of water, i plan to spend around 35 minutes bringing something from nothing to life. It could be a new blog post, it could be a journal entry, it could be a fantastic breakfast meal. The opportunities are endless. The only caveat is that it has to be something that wouldn't have existed without my intervention. I want to jump start my creativity for the day that's unfolding.
I'll start next Monday and share as often as possible my a.m. creations.
My next challenge is to create. After waking and drinking a glass of water, i plan to spend around 35 minutes bringing something from nothing to life. It could be a new blog post, it could be a journal entry, it could be a fantastic breakfast meal. The opportunities are endless. The only caveat is that it has to be something that wouldn't have existed without my intervention. I want to jump start my creativity for the day that's unfolding.
I'll start next Monday and share as often as possible my a.m. creations.
Morning Routine: 21 Day Challenge - Wake Up - Days 16 thru 21
The "final" 5 days of the challenge.. Final is in quotes because, as i've mentioned before, i plan to continue to wake up early and start my day. Here are the numbers:
Day 16 - 7:12a
Day 17 - 7:44a
Day 18 - 7:29a
Day 19 - 7:42a
Day 20 - 8:22a
Day 21(Sunday) - 8:51a
Sort of fell of the wagon as of late so i need to work on that. Hoping that waking up to actually get stuff accomplished will help me get out of bed early moving forward. I just found the warm bed way too enticing sometimes, and with "nothing to do" at 5:50am it was easy to sleep in.
However, i was out of bed by 6:10 this morning so i'm continuing the challenge as planned.
Day 16 - 7:12a
Day 17 - 7:44a
Day 18 - 7:29a
Day 19 - 7:42a
Day 20 - 8:22a
Day 21(Sunday) - 8:51a
Sort of fell of the wagon as of late so i need to work on that. Hoping that waking up to actually get stuff accomplished will help me get out of bed early moving forward. I just found the warm bed way too enticing sometimes, and with "nothing to do" at 5:50am it was easy to sleep in.
However, i was out of bed by 6:10 this morning so i'm continuing the challenge as planned.
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