Transform Your Life with the Power of a Simple Morning Ritual
I’ve always struggled to follow a well-disciplined morning ritual for myself. But I realize now that I set the bar impossibly high, leading to inevitable disappointment and failure. I would hear stories of successful men who would wake up at the crack of dawn, go for a run, indulge in a healthy breakfast, and kick-start their day with unwavering determination. Inspired, I attempted to emulate their routines, but after a mere few days of intense effort, I would lose my motivation and give up. It became a repetitive cycle of short-lived dedication followed by subsequent abandonment.
What was I missing? Why couldn’t I stick to a set of activities and develop lasting habits like others seemed to effortlessly do? I understood the significance of a transformative morning ritual, firmly believing in its power to shape my life. Yet, while others thrived, I faltered. What was lacking within me? Would I ever be capable of change?
It is no doubt that many great men followed productive morning rituals. One such example is Rabindranath Tagore, a celebrated Indian poet and Nobel Prize laureate, who had a well-structured morning routine filled with various activities. His day would commence with private lessons encompassing drawing, reading, science, mathematics, exercises, and schoolwork. Maharishi, his mentor, would awaken Rabi before sunrise for Sanskrit practice. As the sun rose, they would embark on a refreshing morning walk, followed by a revitalizing bath in icy-cold water. Additionally, Maharshi would enrich Tagore’s mind by reading selected pieces from both Bengali and English literature.
Another noteworthy figure is Elon Musk, who embraces an early start, typically waking up around 7 am. He kickstarts his day with an invigorating shower. While he often opts to skip breakfast, when he does partake, he leans towards enjoying an omelet. Musk dedicates his workweek to managing his diverse array of businesses, with a strong emphasis on design and engineering endeavors that occupy most of his time.
Deep within me, I believed there was a hidden magic behind morning rituals that few spoke of openly. Then, one day, everything changed. I watched the movie “American Psycho,” where the lead character portrayed by Patrick Bateman had an unusual ritual that set him apart from his rivals. It became the source of his physical fitness— he took his morning ritual very seriously; it was like a meditation that allowed him to transform into another person. His words resonated deeply within me as he described his morning routine, saying, “In the morning, if my face is a little puffy, I’ll put on an ice pack while doing stomach crunches. I tie a plastic ice pack around my face and commence the morning’s stretching exercises. Afterward, I stand in front of a chrome and acrylic Wash mobile bathroom sink—with soap dish, cup holder, and railings that serve as towel bars, which I bought at Hastings Tile to use while the marble sinks I ordered from Finland are being sanded—and stare at my reflection with the ice pack still on.”
Those lines held profound meaning for me. That very day, I created a list of things I wanted to incorporate into my morning ritual. It wasn’t as intricate as Patrick Bateman’s, but it was simple and realistic enough to serve my purpose. Most importantly, it motivated me. Now, I am here to share my personal experience and secret tips with you, so that you too can design your own personalized and enduring morning ritual.
Discover the Magic of Small, Enjoyable Habits and Rituals for Lasting Change
I began by waking up early every single day. Initially, I started with just five push-ups. Yes, merely five push-ups each morning. I made it a non-negotiable commitment, regardless of how seemingly insignificant it was. Instead of venturing outside for a walk or a jog, which I discovered wasn’t my preference, I opted to hit the shower. Personally, I found solace in hot showers, so I indulged in that luxury. I applied my favorite face wash, followed by a nourishing shampoo for my hair. I even kept a shower gel to make the experience more enjoyable. Every time I stepped into the shower, I played my beloved Bob Marley music, adding an extra layer of delight. Ah, and then there’s coffee—an elixir that ignites my very being. Its aroma dances through the air, captivating my senses with a tantalizing promise of revitalization. I savored every single moment of this routine.
As I continued, within a couple of days, these small habits became an integral part of my mornings, just like brushing my teeth. I felt no pressure, requiring no additional motivation. I did it simply because I enjoyed it. After thirty days, I decided to add five more push-ups and ten ab crunches to my morning ritual. Each month, I gradually increased the number of exercises by ten or five, until one day, I found myself effortlessly completing fifty push-ups and a hundred ab crunches every morning. I introduced more rituals, such as reading two pages of a book and writing one page per day. I ensured that the activities were attainable, enjoyable, and stimulating.
As you read my story, remember that you already possess some aspects of a morning ritual. You visit the bathroom; you brush your teeth—small actions like these already form a part of your morning routine. The concept is simply to incorporate additional rituals that are productive and add value to your life. So, grab a pen and paper, and jot down what you envision for yourself, your goals, and who you aspire to become. Do you desire to mimic the success of a billionaire like Elon Musk, or perhaps desire a strong and athletic physique? The choice is yours; just uncover the daily small activities that can propel you toward your ultimate destination. Remember to craft realistic, simple, and enjoyable goals that you can begin tomorrow morning and sustain for the rest of your life.
