A few weeks ago I mentioned that I’ve been trying to change up my morning routine a bit. My goal is to push back e-mail and other time-wasting online activities, to start my day in my own hula hoop.
With the chaotic stream of chatter out there, the possibilities for getting distracted are endless. And changing this habit is about combining the right external information, advice and such, with the clues I pick up about what works (and also important: has no shot at working) for me.
My sweet friend Elizabeth, the fairy godmother of my Monday mornings, sent me a note about the Golden Hour, that fertile hour or so after you wake up. Brain research shows that we are most receptive at that time of day, meaning the impact of seed-planting and intention is amplified.
Which makes it pretty clear why my old habit of opening my eyes and immediately peering into my blackberry to check for grenades was such a bad idea.
Bonjour anxiety! Wanna hang out with me today?
Maybe this information isn’t new, but receiving it through the right filter made a huge difference. Even though I knew it didn’t work for me to dive into the internet first thing, there was still too much check-check-checking. And then things would get all fuzzy and squonchy. Yes, squonchy.
Now that I have this science and research (nerd alert), my intention to connect with myself first feels more substantial and worthwhile. Having that piece of external information helped me get super clear on my own reasons for wanting to change up this habit in the first place.
And my desire to set the right tone for my day is so much greater than my impulse to see what’s going on out there. Which means I’m not having to squash the impulse to hop into the world’s hula hoop. Good thing, because impulse squashing sucks. And hurts. Ow!
And, now it’s also less common for me to get hooked later in the day. Oh, that must be a benefit of the seed-planting! And, the other helpful thing? The partial decaffeination project. Nothing fuels the check-y-loos like three shots of espresso.
Any thoughts about this habit or your ideal morning routine? Or do you notice that sometimes it takes hearing some external information from just the right angle to make a difference?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I think we’re living in parallel universes. Over the weekend I developed the perfect way to manage my time. I’m calling it Fruit Loops. It’s hard to explain. I might write a post about it so I can upload screenshots (colored pencils and gigantic pieces of paper are involved). Let’s just say I made it through a Monday on the Fruit Loops system and it is 2pm and I am not loopy yet. The first 2 hours of my day were this: Workout –> Coffee (”never gonna give you up!”) –> Write in Journal –> Shower –> Dance of Shiva –> Write in Journal. So before 9:30 I’ve written for an hour about whatever I want. And basically my whole day is a series of loops composed of actions that just go well together. It’s great!
Oh my gosh, Kelly – I have to hear about fruit loops! Details, please. And ahoy parallel universe: my morning: shower -> journal with coffee -> Dance of Shiva & meditation -> delicious smoothie -> hike -> blog post, and all by 10:30. We are onto something. And I still want to hear all about this series of fruit loops!
Ok, I have to hear about the Fruit Loop system too!
I am so glad that article helped! I do mean to write myself a new post-it note for my computer inspired by something in it .. but haven’t yet. Clearly it is needed, since I continue to pop online instantly.
My ideal morning would be a walk or trail run, breakfast, shower, Dance of Shiva/meditation, journal, yoga. Not exactly in that order. Ah, someday ..