🎈(#18) How To Seize The Day

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Message from the author:

I have been travelling a bit this last week. My main focus has been on maintaining my routines as much as possible including writing Issue # 18.

Still challenging myself to keep them shorter and get into key takeaways. This week I also challenged myself to complete this article only using my phone whilst on the move.

Whilst I have discussed habits a few times…. Wanting to spend some time on how important a morning routine can be and how it sets you up to own your day.

You may have heard of the saying…

"Own the morning & you will own the day"

Or the Latin phrase “Carpe Diem” which loosely translates to… Seize The Day!

They sound cool and definitely make sense.

But if you are like me, your mornings can get a bit hectic.

Leaving you asking questions like...

"How do I own my morning when I don't have time?"

Or..

"What does owning my morning even look like?'

It can be difficult in the mornings when you are juggling multiple things.

Getting the kids ready for school, making lunches, getting yourself ready, maybe catching up on work or emails and the sneaky scroll on social media (lol is that you?).

Before you know it, it's time to get out the door and start your day.

As we move forward, we will look at ways that a morning routine can set you up, how to create one that is sustainable and how it can help you own your day.

The game changer

The mindset around seizing the day, locks you in to being present, the ability to conquer what is to come and moving with purpose.

A morning routine, whatever that looks like for you, can be the game changer.

I feel with our busy schedules, balancing career and home life, the benefits of a simple morning routine can be overlooked.

My view…

it could literally be the most important 20 to 40 minutes of your day.

I say this with a level of confidence due to my own experience.

I have noticed how my day plays out with a morning routine vs without one and there is an obvious difference.

When I skip my my morning set up, I feel like I am on the back foot, not in control and not mentally set to handle what comes at me.

Don't get me wrong, I can get through the day…

I don't feel like I fully have control of it and can feel myself reacting instead of responding.

That is a key difference.

I'm at a point in my life where it is one of my non-negotiables.

You may still be hesitant and asking questions or statements like…

“How, when there is so much on?”

“What if I miss a day?”

“I'm too busy in the morning”

My advice, just start and figure it out from there.

Ideas for busy people - The no excuse routine.

Over the last month, my routine has changed.

Not only in what I do, but also the length of time I spend on it.

Why?

At times it became a bit of a chore and there were days where I was skipping it - either my timing was off or it wasn't aligned to what I needed.

I reviewed what I wanted to achieve, what I felt sets me in the right zone and what makes me feel in control throughout the day.

This is what 30min of owning my morning looks like right now:

- Black coffee and spend 5min reviewing emails looking for any key call outs requiring my attention

- 15min HIT session (body weight or weights or mix of both)

- 5min journalling. Helps me unpack thoughts and re-focus. This is currently one of my favourite things to do.

- 5min final check on emails prior to getting ready and preparing my daughters lunch

Simple, right?

This for me, places me in a good space.

it helps me:

- Know where I am at for the day when it comes to work

- Feel like I have achieved something and given back to myself through training

- Declutter the mind and provide clarity of priorities for the day

Now I am physically and mentally ready for whatever comes at me.

For you, the time spent could be less. I have simplified my routine, to suit where I’m at in this current moment and what I feel best prepares me.

I have set it up in such a way that there is no excuse I can give myself to skip this.

It also helps that I actually enjoy this basic system due to the benefits l see daily.

So what are some ideas for you to try?

If you don't have one, feel free to copy mine or mix things up with some ideas below that will benefit you.

If you do have one, sometimes it helps changing things up to.

- Moving. Some type of movement in the morning, just makes you feel good. You feel like you have accomplished something and also have the added benefits of getting physically fitter.

- Journaling. Unpack your mind with journaling, helps with getting everything out of your head in order to organise thoughts.

- Stillness. Meditation or some form of mindfulness will help to provide you with mental, emotional and physical benefits.

- Breathwork. Similar benefits to mindfulness practices. I like using breathwork to support with the nervous system and prepare the body for responding to stress.

There is no rules or one way to own your morning.

You can mix and match the above or add what you feel places you in the best position to seize the day.

The important thing here is…

Carve the time into your mornings, keep it simple, keep it effective and make it sustainable.

Our MAKER community is full of career driven, health conscious and family orientated individuals.

Just 20 to 30 minutes a day giving back to yourself and filling your cup, can make a world of difference.

This week, take sometime to see what may work for you. It doesn't have to be perfect, you can adapt as time goes on.

That''s it from me this week fam!

Have a great week

JC