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.
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