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Key Takeaways
- In order to get the most out of your mornings:
- Track your time
- Picture/create the perfect morning
- Exercise, painting, good breakfast, meditation, prayer, sketching, practice a skill you want to acquire, work on a project that's always being pushed back, playing with kids, studying, etc.
- Think of things you will literally want to jump out of bed for
- Think through the logistics
- Where can you save time, outsource, partner up, etc.
- Pretend you had all the money and time in the world, how would it look
- Build the habit
- First steps require the most willpower, once you turn it into a habit though you won't even have to think about it
- Choose one habit at a time to incorporate
- Chart your progress
- Do things that put you in a good frame of mind - what you're grateful for, appreciation e-mail, etc.
- Tune up as necessary
What I got out of it
- A very quick and good read. Vanderkam details how and why to make mornings the most productive part of your day.
- Use the mornings for personal goals and reflection - exercise is an excellent way to start the day
- Reflect on the priorities you want to accomplish today
- You have the most control over your morning schedule - create your ideal rituals
- If it has to happen, it has to happen first
- Have 168 hours in a week - break this down hourly so you can determine what and how much time you want to dedicate to your work and different goals
- People serious about exercise do it in the mornings
- Will power is a limited resource and it is fresh in the morning - do the difficult things first. Even decisions sap our self-control
- Majority of lapses in judgment, breaking of diet, etc. occur after 11PM
- With self-discipline and habit building, can build up your willpower so that everyday tasks do not drain our reserves
- Habitualize good routines as much as possible!
- The best morning rituals are those things which don't have to happen and not at a certain time. Things that require internal motivation
- Nurturing their careers - strategizing and focused work
- Nurturing relationships - giving family and friends their best
- Nurturing themselves - exercise and spiritual and creative practices
- Doing a little bit of your habit will be more beneficial long-term than big bursts of work
- Networking breakfasts can be extremely productive
- Use mornings as positive family bonding time - huge breakfasts
- "A small daily task, if it be really daily, will beat the labors of a spasmodic Hercules"
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