Chapter 1: The Essence of Morning Routines

Many methodologies and practices have aided countless individuals by offering structured guidance on how to kick-start their day, boost productivity, regain control over their time, progress toward their objectives, and lead a fulfilling life.

These techniques often encompass physical, mental, and spiritual components, presenting clear frameworks that users are expected to adhere to strictly. They typically prescribe when to rise, what to consume, which workouts to perform, and the types of meditation to engage in. Some even delve deeply into an analysis of personal motivations, purpose, and "why." While these approaches can be beneficial, their effectiveness hinges on how well they resonate with individual needs.

Navigating My Resistance

I’ve always felt ambivalent about morning routine frameworks. Although I might subconsciously appreciate their advertised benefits, I often resist the notion that a single method can be universally effective at all times. After all, we are not robots. We evolve, mature, and come from diverse backgrounds, each with unique destinations. As dynamic beings, how can we apply a static system to something that continuously changes?

You might choose to conform to a rigid morning schedule, but it doesn’t seem to align with our design as humans. If you are inclined to follow this route, I wish you the best! However, for those who seek adaptability, consider how to modify these methods to suit your current circumstances and specific goals (emphasis on "specific").

Recognizing Our Shortcomings

I’m not asserting that these guidelines are flawed. Most successful strategies contain a universal truth applicable to everyone. However, these principles were often crafted by one or a few individuals based on their unique circumstances. Consciously or unconsciously, they designed these systems around their own environments, habits, skills, values, and life purposes.

When these creators sought to broaden their frameworks to encompass more users, they unintentionally planted the seeds of failure through our approach to these systems. We hastily diagnose ourselves against the anticipated outcomes laid out by these methods. If achieving the promised results requires us to mirror the author's journey, we may justify our shortcomings based on that comparison.

We often overlook the fact that we come from different paths, starting at varied points, and moving toward distinct goals:

• We operate in diverse environments.
• Our habits, whether healthy or not, differ greatly.
• Our strengths and skills vary.
• We have been shaped by different values and beliefs.
• Our sense of self diverges from that of the author and others.
• Our life purposes are often unique.

So, how can we make these methods work for us? Furthermore, how have they succeeded for others?

The Value of an Observer

Consider enlisting an "Observer"—someone who can provide honest, non-judgmental feedback and support. Imagine yourself living inside a vast green bottle, so expansive that you fail to recognize its limits. Your life unfolds within this personal space. An Observer can highlight that you inhabit a bottle while others occupy theirs; moreover, the universe offers countless other bottles to choose from.

This Observer can help you identify that while your current bottle is green, you have the option to select from an infinite array of colors. They can also assist you in understanding your identity from an external perspective, encouraging you to explore it further.

If this metaphor seems overly abstract, let’s return to practical elements of a morning routine.

Journaling and Meditation

An Observer may notice that, like me, you operate at a slower pace in the mornings. They might suggest reducing morning chatter, both mental and vocal, and shifting your journaling or strategizing sessions to the evening for better results. Personally, I’ve found evening routines to be a wonderful time for reflection and planning.

Additionally, your Observer could recognize that an hour-long morning meditation might lead you to doze off. They might recommend breaking your meditation into shorter sessions throughout the day—perhaps six 10-minute intervals where you can pause, breathe deeply, and visualize your goals. This way, you can connect with a higher consciousness without the risk of being late for your commitments.

Challenging Perceptions of Routine

An Observer will likely help you articulate that you may not see yourself as someone who thrives on routine. You might resent them, which could explain past failures. A skilled Observer can uncover the beliefs behind your resistance to external routines. If you’re open to examining these beliefs, you can brainstorm what is true and what might be merely an excuse for your behavior.

Through these sessions with your Observer, you may discover that you do, in fact, adhere to certain routines—though you may not label them as such. They are simply your habits, reflective of who you are.

Reframing the Concept of Routine

As I learned, routines often relate less to discipline and more to our inherent physical and mental cycles. "Be grateful for your highs, and graceful with your lows," as Richard Carlson wisely put it. Adapt your routines to accommodate your evolving self, recognizing that your growth is personal and your mornings are yours.

I encourage you not to impose rigid cycles if they don’t fit your natural rhythms. This isn’t about avoiding responsibilities; it’s about acknowledging your unique cycles. Forcing yourself into a routine that doesn’t suit you may hinder your well-being and overall effectiveness.

Instead, structure your routines in a way that feels organic. With time and careful observation, you will naturally adapt and evolve. One routine can foster order in your life, allowing others to fall into place seamlessly.

Finding Your Observer

While my profession might lead me to suggest hiring a coach, I recommend starting with an internal observer. You possess an internal voice that can serve as your Observer. Recognize this voice and adjust it to support you rather than criticize you. You’ve spent a lifetime with yourself, making you uniquely qualified to understand your motivations, excuses, and history.

Embrace the Process

To truly engage with any new discipline, you must be willing to begin with failure. As beginners, we all stumble initially. Embrace failure as a fundamental part of growth, and plan for it. Expect setbacks, but also devise a strategy to move forward. Celebrate your failures, learn from them, and keep trying.

With each attempt, you’ll gain feedback, self-awareness, and confidence, ultimately becoming stronger. When you feel you’ve exhausted your resources, challenge yourself to persist for another 30 days. We often allow ourselves too much leniency. Observe your progress, and you may surprise yourself with the improvements you achieve.

If you find satisfactory results, take a moment to appreciate your growth. It has required significant effort and time.

Considering Professional Coaching

If you feel a strong inclination to improve further despite your efforts, it might be time to seek a professional Observer—a life coach. A mentor once explained that any effective life coach should possess two essential tools: a mirror to reflect how others perceive you and a flashlight to illuminate blind spots, hidden strengths, and limiting beliefs.

Be prepared to hear what a coach may reveal and be open to experimenting with new ideas that arise during your sessions. If you’ve tried independently and experienced setbacks with a positive mindset, and if you’ve walked your path to improvement, seeking a coach is not an admission of failure. Instead, it signifies your desire to become your best self, which the world truly needs.