Hey
there today, we're diving deep into a topic that is crucial for
personal growth: Discipline. For
many of us, starting our mornings on the right foot can be a
challenge. It's easy to hit snooze, scroll through social media, and
let our mornings slip away from us. But what if we could transform
our mornings into a time of discipline and productivity that will
serve us maximum benefits all day long? In this article, I'll share
how I revamped my morning routine to regain discipline and build
momentum in my life. It starts with setting the
foundation. You see, just like a house needs a strong foundation to
stand tall, our personal journeys also require a solid base to build
upon. So, let's jump right in and explore the key aspects that
contribute to a strong foundation.
Having
a strong foundation is essential for personal growth and development.
This foundation involves doing internal work in areas such as
self-love,
spiritual connection and time management.
Self-love involves developing a positive relationship with oneself,
accepting one's flaws and strengths, and practicing self-care.
Spiritual connection involves finding a sense of purpose and meaning
in life and developing a connection to something greater than
oneself. Time management involves prioritizing and managing one's
time effectively to achieve goals and reduce stress. Setting
boundaries involves knowing one's limits and communicating them to
others to create healthy relationships. By working on these areas,
individuals can build a strong foundation that supports personal
growth and development. Developing a strong foundation not only helps
individuals achieve their goals but also enhances their overall
well-being and quality of life.
self-love
I
learned from Mel Robins that counting backwards 5,4,3,2,1 and then
getting up helped me tremendously. Counting
backwards from 5-1 is a technique used by Mel Robbins in her 5 Second
Rule to help people take action and overcome feelings of fear or
anxiety. When you count backwards, you activate the prefrontal
cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and
impulse control. This helps to interrupt the neural pathways
associated with anxiety and fear, allowing you to take action without
hesitation. By counting backwards and then taking action, you're
creating a new neural pathway that reinforces the idea that you can
take action even when you feel afraid or uncertain. This can help to
build confidence and resilience over time, making it easier to take
action in the future. Additionally, the physical act of getting up
and taking action can activate the dopamine reward system in the
brain, providing a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that can
further reinforce the behavior.
It's
the discipline in the task that provides the level of self love that
is needed to propel us to the next level. Discipline
is often associated with strict rules and punishment, but in reality,
it's an act of self-love. When we are disciplined, we are showing
ourselves that we care enough to prioritize our goals and well-being.
By setting boundaries and sticking to them, we are creating a sense
of stability and control in our lives. By starting our days with
purpose and intention, we are sending a message to ourselves that we
value our time and our goals. This can lead to a positive ripple
effect throughout the rest of our day and ultimately, our lives.
spiritual
connection
Whether
you find solace in nature, meditation, or any other spiritual
practice, investing time in fostering that connection can bring
immense clarity and peace to our lives. I had to explore different
approaches and techniques to help me find my spiritual path. The
practices I found that helped me the most were meditation,
stretching, breath work, a short but powerful workout and a cold
shower.
Meditation:
I found this app by Deepak Chopra called Chopra meditation and well
being. I was unsure exactly how to meditate so I tried first with a
guided meditation. Guided
meditation can be incredibly beneficial for beginners due to its
structure and guidance. Unlike traditional meditation, guided
meditation is led by a teacher or an audio recording, which can help
to keep the mind focused and reduce distractions. This makes it
easier for beginners to learn how to meditate and develop a regular
practice. Guided meditation can help beginners develop mindfulness
skills, increase self-awareness, and learn how to observe their
thoughts and emotions without judgment. Overall, guided meditation
can be an excellent tool for beginners who want to learn how to
meditate and reap the benefits of a regular meditation practice.
I
also incorporated meditation music once I got the hang of being in a
still state of mind. Music has a unique ability to shift our mood and
energy, making it a valuable tool for creating a peaceful and focused
environment. By listening to calming music during meditation, I was
able to deepen my relaxation and concentration. The benefits of
meditation are numerous. Research has shown that regular meditation
can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while improving focus,
creativity, and overall mood. It can also lower blood pressure,
improve sleep quality, and boost the immune system. By taking a few
minutes each day to quiet our minds and focus on the present moment,
we can experience these benefits and cultivate a greater sense of
inner peace and well-being. You might want to look up the benefits of
different hertz music that can also provide healing during your
meditation sessions.
Stretching:
We don't always have time for a gym nor do we always know what
workouts to do but we do have time for a 5-10 minute stretch. Deep
stretching, also known as static stretching, is a practice that
involves holding a stretch for an extended period of time. This type
of stretching has been shown to have numerous benefits for both
physical and mental health. Deep stretching can help to improve
flexibility and range of motion, reducing the risk of injury during
physical activity. It can also help to relieve muscle tension and
soreness, promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Additionally,
deep stretching can help to improve posture, balance, and
coordination, leading to greater overall physical function. Many
people also find that deep stretching can be a meditative practice,
helping them to connect more deeply with their body and mind.
Breath
work: I do my breath work with a youtuber name sandy that I
follow. He does many different kinds of breath work with tutorials on
how to move the air in and out. When I started doing breath work it
energized me for hours and I was stunned over how I was feeling. Once
I began to consistently do breath work I began to understand how much
it was really working for me. Life changing to say the least and you
can do it any time of the day for an extra energy boost.
Breathwork has been shown to have numerous benefits for both physical and
mental health. Deep, intentional breathing can help reduce stress
and anxiety, improve focus and concentration, increase energy levels,
and improve overall well-being. Breath work can also help to regulate
the nervous system, lower blood pressure, and improve lung function.
Additionally, many people find that breathwork can help them connect more deeply with themselves and others, leading to greater
self-awareness and more meaningful relationships. Breathwork can be
a powerful tool for improving overall health and well-being, so give
it a try one day and see how it works in your life.
Simple
workout: First I asked myself what I wanted to accomplish and my
answer was simple.....just to carry all the groceries in one trip and
just to be overall healthy. I wanted to target the best all-around exercises for the needs of my whole body. I needed exercises that
targeted my arms, back, legs, butt and abs. I needed all of those
areas worked on so I researched the best exercises for toning my whole
body. I have included a few for you:
Lunges
Burpees
Leg
Lifts
Planks
Squats
Bear
Crawls
Cold
shower: This is not for everyone but if you are brave and want
change in your life then blast yourself with cold water before you
start your day. I take my normal shower and then the last minute I
turn the water all the way to cold. I started out by making the water
colder little by little until I could stand the cold to the max for
15 seconds. Then I bumped it to 30 seconds. Then a minute until I got all
the way to 4 minutes.
Gradually
adjusting the water temperature in the shower is a helpful technique
to get accustomed to cold showers. To start, it's important to begin
with a warm shower as usual, and then gradually turn down the
temperature for a short time. This can be done for just a
few seconds at first, and then gradually increase over time. With
consistent practice, the body can become accustomed to the cold
water, making it easier to take a full cold shower.
In
addition to gradually adjusting the water temperature, a breathing
technique taught by Wim Hof can also be helpful when taking cold
showers. The technique involves taking deep breaths, holding them for
a few seconds, and then exhaling fully. This helps to increase oxygen
levels in the body, which can help to reduce the shock of the cold
water and make it easier to tolerate. It's important to note that
cold water immersion should be approached with caution, especially
for those with underlying health conditions. It's always a good idea
to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new
practices. However, with consistent practice and the right
techniques, cold water immersion can have numerous health benefits,
including improved circulation, reduced inflammation, and increased
energy levels. Might I add that your skin will
be glowing!
Time
management
Time
management is another fundamental pillar of personal growth for me.
Setting goals, prioritizing tasks, and managing our time effectively
can make a world of difference. Everything I wanted to accomplish I
knew I had to write it down first and then come up with a plan. I
understand everyone will have a different routine depending on your
lifestyle, when you work, when you can make the time, if you have
children, etc so find what works for your life. Committing and being
consistent is the key but really it begins with a mindset shift. A
shift in your mind that turns on your beast mode has to happen first.
You MUST want it! It has to be the thought in your mind that this
MUST get done at all costs as if your life depends on it. In reality, our life really does depend on taking care of ourselves and that
means doing hard things to get us to the place of our deepest desire.
Picking your hard is simple if you understand that it's hard to stay
stagnant just as much as it is to blast yourself with cold water.
Either way, you will have to choose your HARD.
Activating
one's "beast mode" requires a deep commitment to the goal,
a consistent effort towards the plan, and a mindset shift towards
discipline and perseverance. Additionally, the concept of choosing
one's "hard" is a powerful tool in achieving success.
Often, the path to success is filled with challenges and obstacles
that can be discouraging. However, choosing to push through the
challenges and obstacles, instead of giving up, can lead to growth
and achievement beyond what was initially thought possible.
Writing
down goals, and creating a plan and schedule is crucial for achieving
success in the time management area of life. Without a clear vision,
plan, and schedule it's easy to lose focus and direction. Writing down
goals and creating a plan and schedule helps to clarify priorities,
set achievable benchmarks, and track progress. It also helps to break
down larger goals into smaller, more manageable steps. However,
simply writing down goals is not enough. The key to achieving success
in your time management lies in the commitment, consistency, and your
willingness to make a mindset shift.
In
conclusion, incorporating a morning routine into your daily schedule
can be a game-changer for regaining discipline and building momentum.
As I've personally experienced, the benefits of a consistent morning
routine will take you far beyond your wildest dreams. Remember,
creating a morning routine that works for you may take some trial and
error, but the key is to stay committed and be flexible when
necessary because growth demands change. Remember,
this is just the beginning. By prioritizing self-love, nurturing our
spiritual connection, and mastering time management, we lay the
groundwork for an incredible journey of personal growth. So, go out
there and invest in yourself, because the stronger the foundation,
the higher you can soar.
