Scrap The “Morning Routine” Fantasy
Learn How To Use Applied Time Instead
Wake up at 4am.
Do not look at my phone until 6am.
Cold Shower.
Meditate.
Light Sage or Incense.
Say my affirmations.
Write the 5 things I have gratitude for.
Journal.
Read my 10 pages of a book.
Think positive thoughts.
Success here I come!
It’s a lie.
Thanks to social media we’ve been deceived about what it takes to be successful. I am not naïve, gullible or easily manipulated so I know if this art of deception captured me, it has captured millions around the world as well. But what is the truth in all of this?
The Truth
None of the steps listed from the “morning routine” above leads to success. I’ve never heard any successful person say, “my journaling made me a success” or, “ I became a millionaire because I meditated.” However, when I listen to podcasts, watch interviews, or read books by these successful individuals, they credit their success to a morning routine.
It is disappointing when I plan and schedule to listen to a podcast and the interview does not provide value. They may mention journaling and meditation as their key to success. What they do not mention however, is how they leveraged contacts and connections, or that they failed 17 times before success. Or maybe even some miracle of funding that kept their dream alive for another 6 months. As fans, viewers and listeners this often misguides us as to the truth behind their path to success.
When people say, “ I wish I could wake up at 4am.” I ask “why?” I’ve literally heard them say “I don’t know” in response. Some how we are conditioned that waking up early equals success. I do not wake up at 4am because that is the definition of success. I wake up at that time because that is the only alone time I have and I want to use it for what I want when I want. Before 7am are my power hours. I am more creative and clear minded.
The Tools
Personally, success for me did not follow after the morning routine listed above for 2 years. The routine we create for ourselves is supposed to take time and work. The purpose behind that is to establish things in our day that are important to us so that we can check in with ourselves. Meditating for me over time lead to me being more aware of myself, my thoughts and feelings, and why I had them. I was more present in the rooms I entered and honestly, since I have started meditating I am happier and less frustrated.
Journaling has allowed me to put all my wild thoughts on paper and expand on them. Writing and reading my words has allowed me to understand my fears, insecurities and has helped me solve things within my self. Moreover, what is working in my life so I can double down on the good. What we do not understand about that “morning routine” is that it alone does not make us successful. It’s the applied time that leads to the use of other tools that are God given.
Without applied and intentional time in the morning you will likely get up as late as possible, skip breakfast, rush to work, and then feel like all you’re doing is trying to catch up the rest of the day. Imagine days like this piling on top of each other!?
The Harvest
My routine today is much simpler than that what is described above. The purpose of having a “morning routine” is so that you structure your day with what’s important to you before the world throws crap at you. Before you boss annoys you and certainly before your co-worker talks your ear off about their personal issues. The point of the morning routine, I discovered is to minimize the amount of energy you spend in the morning thinking and acting. This way your best energy is saved for what matters. This can be landing that job you want, signing another client or being so focused at work that you land that promotion you have wanted for 5 years.
What grows from your morning routine is the discipline you create. Think about our military officers and their training. They spend a lot of time making their beds to perfection, having a perfect uniform and cleaning their weapons repeatedly. The point is the discipline. Do the small things with greatness and greatness will follow with the big things. Your morning routine should really be called something else. But, look at it this way, it’s time alone with, and for you. Before the email, before the text or IG messages, and before your best friend drowns you in their sorrow.
The beauty is you get to set the mood or “tone” for the day. You can decide to be frantic about the day from the moment you wake up or establish your morning to Carpe diem, “seize the day.” A garden needs to start the right way for it to grow. A home needs the right foundation so it doesn’t fall over. You need the right start to your day so you too can grow and stand strong.
My Success
You may be surprised to learn that my success came from the actual work I put in during my “me time”. Crazy right!? I have benefited from my morning routine only because of the way I’ve leveraged and applied that time. The things I have learned about myself through meditation and journaling have made my mind stronger. Whatever you consider a success in your life, field of work, or your interests come down to what you do for it. For me, success was reached by applying myself to a set of goals and continuously pursuing more. It came from my work ethic that I inherited from my mother. In addition, it came from using my brother as my role model and using his success to map out my own.
With that I became a successful accountant and this led to my success as a Financial Coach. My meditation , journaling and more importantly discipline helped me uncover a deep rooted love for personal finance and helping others in this area. I’ll be honest, I do not think I would have landed here if I didn’t divorce the idea that the “morning routine” alone was the key to realizing that success and not the work I actually had to do to get there.
Dan Roman is a Husband, Father and Founder/Creator of Roman Solutions, a Personal Finance Firm that currently provides coaching and education.
Connect with Dan at: https://linktr.ee/bydanroman
Or my email : financialdifference@danromansolutions.com
Dan spent a few years as a professional accountant and since 2020 as a Financial Coach. His own experience with money has called him to contribute in this money space and the experience of his clients being coached by him. Visit https://danromansolutions.com/ for more!
