It has been almost three years since I read “The 5 AM Club” by Robin Sharma. Yet, three years later I still use the basics of his 20/20/20 formula to start my day.
I’ve made tweaks to it.
I’ve made it mine.
Most successful leaders have some sort of morning ritual or routine. A routine that helps them start their day off right.
For me, this morning routine grounds me, provides time for me, and set’s my day up for success.
Robin Sharma broke it down into three practices that he called Move, Reflect and Grow. I changed these into Health, Mind, and Grow.
In Sharma’s book, he suggested you spend 20 minutes on each section. My advice, spend 1 minute to 20 minutes on each depending on what works for you and how much time you have.
If you only have 15 minutes in the morning, build a routine that fits 15 minutes.
I have two routines. One for when I have 30 minutes and one for when I have 60.
Let me break the three parts down for you.
Ideally, this is a 20-minute intense workout. However, because I do Taekwondo, I have changed this to a health practice. One that includes hydrating, stretching, sometimes deep breathing. Other ideas could be a walk, dancing or even yoga. Spend time doing something to improve your physical health.
The intent here is to reflect, create space and even relax. I do a couple of things for this section. I journal and meditate. If you don’t practice gratitude anywhere else in your day, this would be a great place to start this practice. Additional ideas are: affirmations, pray or create (play an instrument, paint, etc.).
Improve yourself or learn something new. I spend 10-20 minutes reading biographies, personal development, or industry-related books. You can also consider reviewing your goals, listing to audiobooks or podcasts, or even studying.
For, me the key is to create a routine that allows you to improve your health, your mind, and grow. How long you take and what you do for each category is totally up to you.
As for getting up at 5? Well again, that is up to you. I’ve experimented with different times. 5:30/6:00 AM seems to be the time that fits with my day the best.
I’d love to ask you to give yourself a full hour for this morning routine, but know you are busy. So carve out a time that will work. A time that you can commit to. Schedule it.
I’d love to know if you have a morning routine. If you do, let us know what you do. If you don’t have one, will you create one? What will it look like? Let me know!
Morning is an important time of day because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have. Lemony Snicket
Morning is an important time of day because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.
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