As a regular “life explorer,” I find myself experimenting with interesting and different things. I love to “buck the norm.” I also love change — but change for a reason. Whether it’s letting go of a long-standing belief; figuring out the most efficient, economical, or healthy way to do something; or determining the best make, model, or version of a gadget, product, app. You could say I’m addicted to experimentation.
In AP’s Adventure-casts, you’ll learn about my process. I’ll share with you my thoughts, trials and errors and learnings. They’ll be short (less than fifteen minutes), applicable, fun, and informative.
Giving Myself a Wake-Up Call About Sleeping In
I’ve long believed there was something off about my morning routine. Over the years, I’ve played with many different variations in the things I do when I wake up and the sequence I do them in. I’ve listened and read about the morning routines of many very successful people, and have tried adopting many of the things they do.
Here are some of the things I’ve done:
- Let myself wake up naturally without an alarm
- Not checked my email until 8:00am
- Checked email while still in bed before my feet hit the ground
- Organized my day by making a prioritized to do list before doing anything else
- Meditated before doing anything else
- Journaled in many different formats (I currently use a modified version of the Five Minute Journal — to hear more specific details about my practice, click here)
- Started the day with a hot/cold shower, or just a pure cold shower.
But there is one thing about my morning routine that I haven’t ever addressed. It has been a thorn in my side for over 25 years. In fact, it had such a grip over me while I was a Marine, it occasionally affected my integrity around leading by example. And while it never resulted in anything seriously going wrong, it’s something that has bothered me since.
What am I talking about?
I can get out of bed early for just about anything, but only when it’s handed down by someone else that I have to, or I have people to meet, a plane to catch, or a road trip to leave for. When left to my own devices — when no one is looking, there is no one to meet, no one will know, and the impact of “sleeping in” won’t be felt by anyone but myself — I’m totally powerless.
The comfort, warmth and security of my bed (or sleeping bag) holds me in like the tractor beam of the Death Star from Star Wars. I feel powerless in it’s grip. Even with strong intentions to get up, when that alarm goes off, I convince myself I really need the additional rest, roll over, and go back to sleep.
For the next 21 days I am giving myself the opportunity to do something about this. Listen to the podcast for details, and join me in the experiment if you’d like. Suffice it to say, it’s going to be a challenging (and early) three weeks.
P.S. Here are some of the things I’m planning on doing in the wee hours of the morning:
- Meditate – I like the apps Buddhify, Omvana, and Enso
- Journal
- Plan the day
- Identify my MIT (most important task)
- Read
- Walk the dogs
- Go for a run (possibly)
Andy is a certified CHEK Practitioner and holistic lifestyle coach. He holds a spectrum of certifications from CrossFit and is also a Vivobarefoot certified running coach. He has trained as a Zen buddhist and graduated with a Master’s degree in spiritual psychology from the University of Santa Monica.
Andy founded CrossFit LA one of the first and most successful CrossFit training centers in the world and the first to be featured in national media. He is the co-founder of the Whole Life Challenge, Inc, currently its president, and is also a consultant and life/business coach. Andy lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Julia, and son, Dashel.
