29 Responses

1. Mycroft

   November 16th, 2006 at 12:36 am

   1

   Excellent article Travis. For whatever reason, perhaps 20 years of military life (although there were plenty of folks in the military who couldn’t easily get up early), I can pretty much get up when I want.

   What I like to do is put on a pot of water to boil for oatmeal, start the coffee pot, and scoop the litter boxes. By the time I’m finished the litter boxes, the oatmeal water is boiling and I can fix that. I buy oats in bulk at the local Cash & Carry. 5 minutes on low heat and it’s done. No fuss, no muss. It tastes great with brown sugar and if I’m feeling frisky, I’ll sprinkle on a little cinnamon.

   Then I have my Oatmeal, some OJ, coffee, and my morning paper.

2. Define Your Pefect Morning Ritual - Personal Development for Smart People Forums

   November 16th, 2006 at 12:46 am

   2

   [...] Define Your Pefect Morning Ritual Hey everyone… thought this might be an interesting topic for Personal Effectiveness… some might say health and wellness might be better, but wuh-eva, right? Anyway, What would be the most perfect way to start your day? I wrote a blog tonight, as I thought about the 5am barrier that mentally stands in my way. I look forward to reading your thoughts! » What is the Perfect Morning Ritual? Let’s Define Your Morning Ritual. I think if we all brainstorm, we might come up with and share some really exciting ways to start off our day. __________________ Travis Wright | CultivateGreatness.com [...]

3. Ann

   November 17th, 2006 at 3:39 pm

   3

   Always early wakenings make a better day!!
   First of all, lift the shades to watch the sea caress the shore (that’s a tip for energy fuel). Barefooted walk to the kitchen and grab a couple of fresh fruits while listening to almost any kind of music… no words, just sound in my patio, while trying to do some stretch exercises, slowly, smoothly.
   In about 15 min. I’m ready for a coffee and ready to face whatever kind of day there is ahead.

4. Windows Shopper

   November 17th, 2006 at 4:44 pm

   4

   Getting an early start to the day for me, means that I can putter around lazily, until my neurotransmitters start to fire at their peak! Each day is like a blank slate and hold so much promise. I like to rise slowly from my bed, get up, shower with something pleasing to the olfactories, get dressed. Once this is accomplished I sip some OJ, eat some fruit and yogurt and I’m ready to ease into productivity. Weather permitting, I take a stroll around the garden for a breath of air and just to process my surroundings.

5. MikaLa

   November 17th, 2006 at 4:58 pm

   5

   Bread and coffee for breakfast. After that: a 9 point match of backgammon on the internet.

   Never fails.

6. LeisureGuy

   November 17th, 2006 at 6:08 pm

   6

   This is an easy question for me, because I’ve actually thought about it and worked it out. It starts with a shower and then a leisurely morning shave, using a good razor, a badger brush, and an excellent shaving soap or cream. Then I make a fresh pot of coffee in my vacuum French press and sit down at the computer to find out what’s happened in the world—and what moves my Go opponents have made on DragonGoServer.net. Very satisfying.

7. Richard Blumberg

   November 17th, 2006 at 6:28 pm

   7

   I’m an old fart, closing in on 70, and my morning ritual has, indeed, become ritual.

   I wake up between 5:30 & 6:00; go to the computer, where I find the daily specials at the Brew House in an email from the proprietor, Jack Cameron; I use a couple of python routines to clean those up, convert them to html, and send them to the web; that takes just a couple of minutes.

   I then sit in meditation (cushion, zabuton, the works) for 15 minutes. I used Will Henderson’s neat little Meditation Timer program to put a pair of tibetan bell sounds on my iPod and use that to time the sitting.

   I then walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes; I put my laptop in the treadmill reading stand and watch a DVD; I’m currently about half way through the first season of M.A.S.H.

   Stretch for 15 minutes. Essential at my age.

   Go downstairs and ice my knees for about 20 minutes, while watching last night’s Tivo’d Daily Show.

   Then shower and off to Starbucks, for 20 minutes to an hour or more. An interesting group of people has coalesced: all liberal, all ages, several genders, mostly atheist tending to Buddhist in world view, each with a surprisingly deep knowledge of at least one field of learning. Any subject is up for grabs: politics, religion, education, movies, what I did on my summer vacation. And since the restaurant next door has free wifi and is closed in the morning, we have Wikipedia to settle disputes.

   By then it’s 9:30 or 10:00, and I’m up for whatever the day delivers or I take from it. Retirement is very good.

   Richard

8. D.Bourjade

   November 17th, 2006 at 8:58 pm

   8

   I wake up.
   I kiss the floor.
   I say “serviam” (I will serve).
   That’s enough to be sure the day will start in a nice manner.
   Then I rush to the church for the morning mass.

9. josh

   November 17th, 2006 at 10:17 pm

   9

   Richard you are awesome! I hope I’m able to do that when I’m your age.

10. stradivaribe

    November 17th, 2006 at 11:18 pm

    10

    Everyday when I wake up is a little different. I go to school and work, so my schedule is a little wacky. I know the first thing I do is go pee. Then I usually walk around my apartment, opening the blinds to let the light in. Then I usually put the coffee pot on, or my stomach is a little shaky, I’ll drink ome water. Then I get dressed and get on with it, whether it be going to class, work, or sitting down to study.
    I’d like to change it, though. Good post. Making me think about what I should do in the morning.

11. Doug

    November 18th, 2006 at 12:09 am

    11

    One would expect a blog called “Cultivate Greatness” to know the correct spelling of Benjamin Franklin’s name, as well as know how to use posessive nouns correctly.

12. Travis Wright

    November 18th, 2006 at 1:33 am

    12

    Hey Doug, Good point. Heh. I edited the doc… Late nights with no editor will do that to you occassionally.

    Benjimin, Benjamin, Benji… it’s all good.

13. Paul Courtney

    November 18th, 2006 at 6:19 am

    13

    My morning ritual:
    -4am Make coffee, go to the computer, and Journal for 30 minutes. You’d be surprised by what your mind is like when you first wake up.
    -5am Drive to the Y listening to Tibetan chanting. At the Y I go to the steam room for 10 min and stretch, take a cold shower, swim10 minutes, sit in the hot whirlpool for 3minutes, another cold shower, and I’m ready to be served.
    -6am Drive to a meditation hall and sit for 45 minutes. It clears my mind.
    -7am: Drive home, prepare a hearty breakfast for myself and daughter., take her to school and go for a 2mile walk with the dog at a local park. I’ll be thinking about what I’m going to be doing that day.
    -8am Back on the computer and GTD my day. I’ll have a next action list in my shirt pocket when I’m done. Make some phone calls and then I’m out the door.
    -9am At work. I’m a self employed carpenter.
    -I do a weekly review that includes ths morning ritual and a montly review where I ‘ll tweak the ritual by adding or subtracting something; this helps keep it from getting stale.

14. What price “leisurely”? Saturday shave « Later On

    November 18th, 2006 at 10:54 am

    14

    [...] Yesterday I happened across a blog that asked what one’s ideal morning ritual would be: the actions on awakening to start the day with a positive experience. My answer: This is an easy question for me, because I’ve actually thought about it and worked it out. It starts with a shower and then a leisurely morning shave, using a good razor, a badger brush, and an excellent shaving soap or cream. Then I make a fresh pot of coffee in my vacuum French press and sit down at the computer to find out what’s happened in the world—and what moves my Go opponents have made on DragonGoServer.net. Very satisfying. [...]

15. pbasra

    November 18th, 2006 at 11:58 am

    15

    My perfect morning ritual:
    Wake up and stretch
    brush the teeth etc.
    a set of push ups sit ups leg curls and squats
    shower
    make breakfast (eggs and fruit)
    check the compy for email and hit the blog circuit

16. vince

    November 18th, 2006 at 2:30 pm

    16

    Good post! I am definitely not a morning person but I’m willing to give it a try. I wish I could be more productive in the morning, maybe going to the gym or something so that I don’t have to spend my evenings working out. Live longer! Sleep less! Or something like that.

17. LeisureGuy

    November 18th, 2006 at 2:43 pm

    17

    Doing the 30 minutes of journaling reminded me of Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way, which has one write 3 pages non-stop the first thing each morning for 12 weeks—a kind of structured exploration. Quite good if you try it. Also important are the weekly exercises: the writing is a pouring out, and the exercises provide a taking in. And, while I’m mentioning books, let me also recommend Joanna Field’s remarkable A Life of One’s Own. Really worth reading.

18. Kolz Blog » Blog Archive » Ask the Readers: Your perfect morning ritual?

    November 18th, 2006 at 5:50 pm

    18

    [...] Ask the Readers: Your perfect morning ritual? November 17th, 2006 by Lifehacker The Cultivate Greatness weblog wants to perfect the morning ritual. The motivation: Perfecting your morning means an improved outlook and enhanced energy for the day (which, if my arithmetic is correct, equals increased productivity). So, since you’re all a bunch of productive Petes and Pamelas, why don’t you share your perfect morning ritual. Remember, it doesn’t have to be what you currently do; just let us know what kind of (realistic) morning would give you the best positive start to the day. Bounce some ideas around, and maybe you’ll get your perfect morning all sussed out. — Adam Pash What is the Perfect Morning Ritual? [Cultivate Greatness] [...]

19. gst

    November 19th, 2006 at 1:50 am

    19

    This is what I actually do, when not due in court:

    1. Rise, brush teeth, put on gym clothes, drive to club while listening to NPR lefties (8 minutes from home to club)
    2. 30 minutes on stationary bike or elliptical machine while listening to book on iPod
    3. Hot shower, wash hair
    4. 20 minutes in sauna reading paperback spy novel
    5. Shave twice, first with, then against the grain
    6. Cool shower
    7. Anoint and dress myself
    8. Drive to work, dictating letter (15 minutes from club to work)
    9. Arrive at work, eat kippered herring and OJ and read Wall Street Journal at my desk
    10. Start kicking ass

20. crackhammer

    November 19th, 2006 at 5:58 am

    20

    Good to read other comments apart from the article.
    I am close to 30, I go to bed at sharp 10.30 and get up between 5 and 5.30 (using biological alarm clock)
    Immediately answering nature’s call, I head on to brushing teeth and to my stereo. I put on Gayatri mantra CD (Times Music) I brush my teeth by sitting in Vajrasan pose of Yoga on the carpet (yes, even my wife thinks I am weird but it helps little bit of stretching) That takes about 5 mins.
    Drink 500 ml of water from copper container(kept overnight).
    Now little bit of stretching, mainly Yoga stretches, thats about 20 minutes total and then 10 minutes of deep breathing exercise. (If I miss these breathing exercise, I really feel lethargic) [Be warned about the Yoga DVDs you get in the market, its risky to learn Yoga from DVDs, you need to have a teacher there.]
    Shaving and grooming takes another 20 mins or so.
    Breakfast includes müsli and yoghurt or bread with chocolate spread and I am off to work at 6.50

21. ranger

    November 19th, 2006 at 9:26 pm

    21

    I go to bed at 10 pm and get up at 4 am.
    I then take a 30 minute walk; followed by 20 minute meditation.
    I then have an hour yoga routine.
    This is followed by a big breakfast and a shower.
    I am then ready to start my day

22. Fenglyph » Blog Archive » Morning Ritual

    November 20th, 2006 at 5:42 am

    22

    [...] I am a night owl, but staying up late usually means I wake up weary and unrefreshed. After reading What is the Perfect Morning Ritual? Let’s Define Your Morning Ritual at cultivategreatness.com, I’ve decided to try to become an early bird. [...]

23. satorimedia

    November 20th, 2006 at 10:09 am

    23

    Morning Ritual…

    Funny how easy it is to get OUT of rituals. Not just the religious kind. I grew up Mormon; rituals were a major part of my daily routine, including 1 hour of scripture study every day. I don’t do that…

24. Gray Miller

    November 20th, 2006 at 10:10 am

    24

    Interesting food for thought-made me write about rituals I’ve fallen out of in the past, as well as ones I have started. Here’s the shortlist (more about it on my blog)

    # Wake up to eye gaze with my wife.
    # Lift weights for 1/2 hour, or do yoga.
    # Sit zazen for 15 minutes.
    # Grab the cup of coffee that was brewing, notebook, pen, and write for 15 minutes.
    # Shower, dress.
    # Check emails, blogs, etc. for 1/2 hour.
    # Make breakfast for my daughters, eat with them, drive them to school.

    Note: I don’t/can’t do this yet. But this would seem ideal to me.

25. Heidi Miller

    November 20th, 2006 at 10:41 am

    25

    Fascinating stuff! My own ritual is not satisfying (it includes waking up to NPR, showering, coffe and either email or recording/editing a podcast before heading out), and these responses have given me all kinds of ideas on how to center myself before starting the day. So, my ideal morning would be:

    1. Wake up naturally feeling refreshed (I said “ideal,” right?)
    2. Take a shower, makeup and set hair
    3. Meditate for 5-10 minutes
    4. Sit outside on my gracious porch sipping coffee for 15 minutes and watching the world go by (I love to do this, but I only have a fire escape overlooking an alley and never 15 minutes to spare)
    5. Enjoy a fresh continental breakfast in a beautifully-appointed breakfast room

26. Angela Acosta

    November 20th, 2006 at 4:40 pm

    26

    My perfect morning:

    5.00 wake up and do yoga, or go for a leisurely run.
    6.00 shower and change
    6.30 breakfast with fruit and milk
    7.00 write out my GTD
    7:30 bike to work

27. David

    November 20th, 2006 at 11:18 pm

    27

    Ideal morning routine:

    Well lets start with the evening.
    Possibly bed by 9-9:30.

    Morning about 5.
    Up, bathroom, good splash of cold water on my face.
    Throw some loose clothes on, go for a 1/2hr walk, recording thoughts.
    Come in, meditate 15-20 mins.
    Yoga 1/2 hr routine, sauna 10-15 mins
    Draw, sketch, or write for another 1/2 hr.
    Eat some fresh fruit and plan out my day.

    There ya go!

28. Rasheed

    February 8th, 2008 at 2:42 am

    28

    Great post Travis!

    Richard you rock at 70! Ann, I look forward to owning property near the shore to have that energize me in the morning.

    Travis…I’m more like you though…I read that someone wakes up at 4am…that’d be tough for me considering I’m more of a night owl. I really need to change this habit though cause at 9:30am it does feel like I’ve missed out on something…

    So Travis…what’s the night time ritual for getting to bed early??

29. saymorre

    February 20th, 2008 at 1:37 am

    29

    This is a great post! I love everyone’s responses. For myself I intend on waking up earlier everyday; 6am sounds good. But for now my morning ritual is:

    7:00 am turn off alarm & think of at least 3-5 things I’m grateful for (and I continue to do this as I get ready for my day)
    7:05 am mirror work - positive affirmations and what not
    7:15 shower, eat breakfast, brush teeth
    8:30 pack my lunch, read something inpirational - a blog like cultivate greatness or one of my self-help/ personal or spiritual development books
    9:45 head to school while listening to “Golden” by Jill Scott on my iPod