Seems fitting with the launch of Spring, Easter on the horizon, and everyone locking into their goals for the year that it is time to deep dive into a simple, yet effective practice of ensuring that you are performing the best you can each day.

Funny enough, I planned this entry of T+P months in advance… and then this past week while preparing this issue, a viral morning routine moment happened…

You can see the post of the original HERE; but if you want the gist, the routine involves:

• A 3:52am wake up.

• Saratoga Sparkling Water… and using it as an ice-bath for your face.

• 1 Banana to eat… one peel to nourish your skin.

• And some funny editing choices… like an apparent 4min hang-time while jumping into a pool.

The video is good for a smile and a spark of inspiration. There is something truly satisfying in a good morning routine. Thank you Ashton Hall for bringing the subject into the limelight 😎

Purpose of a Morning Routine

• ⏰ WAKE you up!

  • Quick-simple exercises (squats and pushups).

  • Cold shower (1-3 min blast of cold at end).

  • Sunlight exposure outdoors (when available).

  • Nice cup of coffee.

• 🧭 Get you ORIENTED with the day.

  • Prayer & Bible reading.

  • Scan your calendar.

  • Set your “Wins” for the day.

  • Jot down some thoughts.

• 💥 End result = READY FOR ACTION

  • Avoid entertainment.

  • Launch into the day with your eyes on the prize.

My Routine

I don’t always do 100% of my routine. I did for a consistent season before I had two kids. Now I pick and choose which elements serve me best for that particular morning. And I take a break from doing a “full routine” on none work days.

• ⏰ Immediately awake to alarm clock / Drink 20oz of water

• ❄️ Shower & Cold Shock

  • Søberg Principle = 11min of cold per week minimum (3min of Cold Blast at the end of shower)

• 💪🏼 10×3×30

  • 10 Pushups / 10 Squats / 10 Lunges

  • 30sec Plank

• ☕ Prepare Coffee

  • I heat the water while doing the previous step (10×3×30)

  • Add a scoop of collagen (get 7+ grams of protein) and take some Zinc

• 🙏🏼 Prayer & Devotion

• ☀️ Sunlight Exposure 5min

  • Look at the light (not directly at the sun)

• 📝 Brain Dump & Orientation

  • Morning Pages OR 5min Journal

    • Freeform writing about ANYTHING…

    • Or, focused priming for the day

• 🗓️ Day Review

  • Check Calendar

  • Check Tasks

Off Limits

• 📱 Social Media - It will stall waking up your mind, and it will bleed time.

• 📧 Work Email - It will catch you off guard and prevent your mental capacities from gaining momentum.

• 💼 Work Itself - You can prepare via the calendar and task manager. But the routine needs to be complete before launching into work.

🌟 TOP PICKS & BEHIND THE SCENES

Tools of Titans - A collection of interviews with top performers. This resources is what led me to develop a morning routine as it showcased various routines of other top performers.

Be Thou My Vision - Preferred morning devotional. You can pick elements and supplement other reading. It’s built to be a personal liturgy for worship, guiding you through a call to worship, adoration, confession, assurance of pardon, creeds, catechisms, prayers, and Scripture readings.

Next issue I’ll outline how to do Morning Pages & 5 Minute Journaling, so you can potentially add them to your Morning Routine!

Details on Sunlight Exposure

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