Your morning routine
I use an acronym to help me remember my morning routine J.E.T.S. Depending on the available time I’ll do this in levels. Level 1 being the minimum. And the other levels may be added on or may replace the preceding levels.
J: Journal
Level 1 - is a Five Minute Journal, which I’ll do in an app. You’ll be surprised that this takes me 5 minutes to complete.
Level 2 - I write morning pages It’s a practice I’ve gone to for half of my life, I don’t. do it daily. But it’s. a great tool to have at my disposal.
Level 3 - I may read something and journal my thoughts. This tends to be Non-fiction or Scripture.
The overall goal is to gain a perspective and operate for a perspective of purpose rather than urgencies of inboxes.
E: Eat
Level 1 - A protien shake or a bowl of nuts and A digestive cookie (or 3) with milk, Coffee
Level 2 - Eggs and beans
The goal here is to have enough fuel to keep going through a session of work.
T: Train
I’ll admit “train” is a stretch of a word, but I needed to make the acronym work. Exercise is probably a better word. Up till recently whenever I thought of exercise I always think of ‘The Rock’ and “Arnold Schwarzenegger”.
That’s where perspective needs to come in. I’m not a movie star or Mr Universe, I’m an illustrator. So my training is to help me get through long bouts of sitting at my desk drawing and to give me the energy to work through my drawing sessions with a sharp mind.
Level 1 - 2 mile walk with a 9 KG weight strapped to my chest (her name is Zelda)
Level 2 - Pilates
Level 3 - 4 Mile Run
S: Sketch
THIS is my gym. This is where I work out with the goal of being world-class. I started seriously using my sketchbook for workouts and as part of my process for about a year and it has really transformed my work and career. Just like the gym, it looks like nothing is happening, but the hours spent working out eventually show results.
Level 1: 30 minutes Sketchbook time
Level 2: Workout bits for jobs.
See you tomorrow!
Still got a few minutes, here are a couple of similar posts:
I love your illustrative style! Thank you for your newsletter.
Wow, impressive start to the day Adam!! I agree, mornings are the best and set the tone for the day! I'm usually up by 4:30 am and I love the quiet "think" time!