WEEKLY THOUGHTS #3
People. People’s thoughts. People’s feelings. People’s emotions. People’s life. People. I am dealing with them every day. I suppose you do that too. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Sometimes I want, and sometimes I do not.
The classical day of a person starts something like this:
wake up,
do exercise (maybe not),
prepare breakfast,
go to work, work,
get out of work,
prepare dinner,
and go to sleep.
Doesn’t that bother you? I realised that most of our life is repetitive work done each day. It is called a stereotype. Going in circles. An old saying says that this is a discipline creation. Wake up, do exercise, prepare breakfast, go to work, work, get out of work, prepare dinner and go to sleep. Sounds familiar? Everybody has his/her circle. But does it have to be this way? Can we change it? I believe so, but we need to work for it.
I was already talking about my morning routine a little bit in the previous two articles, but let me give you a bit more glance at this phenomenon, which changed me and my personality so that I am the most efficient person for myself.
First, I want to start with the WHY I wanted to have some discipline and WHY it was important for me to change it. Almost two years ago when I was still studying in Poland, I realised how much money I am still spending on sweets and other treats. From early childhood, I had an issue with binge eating sweets, and it stayed with me until adulthood. On the other hand, I was always very sporty, so I was very active but could not have that shape as other girls did, just because I was eating anytime I had the chance. I ate everything I burned so to say + something stayed with me. I could never resist the temptation because the tension between me and some sweet chocolate, biscuit or whatever else was just too much to handle. After some time, I realised that the older I am the more disturbing this issue is for my mind, my health and for my finances. When I arrived in Warsaw it break, partially. It happened accidentally, it was due to a book. I am not sure, how I came to this book, but I believe, it was because I was watching motivational videos and lectures from an early age.
The book was there. On my shelf. I brought it with me and took me a long time to start. The book title 5 AM club was enough for me and my morning getting up to panic and not read it sooner. But something in my head told me., it is time, and as I started I could not believe how much influence this book will have. I want to say, before you start to judge, that this book is indeed written for high achievers, athletes and so on. But! But, but, but…you can pick whatever you like and implement that :) You’re welcome. You are a free person with the freedom of choice.
So, I read it all and the author was proposing a challenge. He suggested it and I did the commitment. And I can tell you, it was the worst commitment I could ever imagine. It went something like this:
Wake up each and every morning for 90 days at 5AM and dedicate 20 minutes for learning, 20 minutes for exercise (high intensity) and 20 minutes for meditation.
Gosh, you cannot believe how much I hated early morning waking up. I did not know if it is the fact that I was living in a room of 3x3m or that I eventually shared this ultimately atomistic room with another person. I was not the kind of person that wakes up at 10 AM but, before 6 it was impossible. But, something, my mind, and also my gut was telling me that this will be something more significant. So, I listened, and I said to myself there was not much to lose.
The first week was very good, I was surprised by how much I was excited and how much it worked! I felt fresh, I felt the adrenaline, and I was the first. I woke up each day for 90 days (except for maybe three or four days, when I was not feeling good or super tired from the previous day) at 4:45-5:00 AM in the morning to do my exercise and meditation. Here is my proof of 90 days commitment:
Why I did do it? As I said about my issue with binge eating I felt I need some discipline in my life. This taught me well because it was hard and very uncomfortable and I knew that if I can complete this, I will be free as I will be able to even get rid of the addiction.
If you wish to do the same, overcome some fear, some addiction, start feeling more disciplined or just try it out, I prepared a few hacks for you to keep this challenge going.
My tips & tricks for this morning terror:
prepare a good reason for your morning (when the alarm is ringing your head will tell you 1000 opinions why you should not do this, so be prepared to fight back)
prepare self-talk immediately when you hear the alarm (mine was: “I want to wake up, I love it I love it I love it, I want to wake up,…”)
make a sheet paper where you can sign each day that you completed the challenge to see the results compiling (it will boost your confidence, believe me)
prepare at least three alarms (5-10 minutes from each)
put your exercise clothes right next to the bed, or sleep in it (e.g. if you want to run, put the shoes right on the place where you would step up from the bed)
prepare your reward or treat after you’re done beforehand (the night before the best) so that it will motivate you
listen to music that will make your body move
These are a few tips from me that helped me overcome many issues I had during this commitment. Now, after 2 years I can say I am still waking up in the morning between 5-6 AM and doing exercise and meditation. I am not doing a workout every single day, but I enjoy the piece, this challenge brought to me, and I feel that the day is fulfilled more than when I do not do it. You know, there is one important aspect and immediate result of doing this in the early morning (I am saying hi to those who want to do it afternoon). Probably you know that there are hormones released during exercise. Well, scientists find out, that the best time for releasing them while doing the exercise, is at 5 AM. So, now, you have it all summed up and it is just up to you if you want to do something to, change something.
Take care.
Love & hugs,
ZlatkaK
