Early rising and self improvement journal

I just turned to 30 a few months ago, in grad school pressuring a PhD program here in the US. I started out my life in a third world country in the mountains. It used to be a very inspiring story as kinda like a prodigy but to me not any more. Many of my old classmates are married and has built their successful, may be not that successful but comfortable, life. I know I am in a totally different track, not in competition with them. But the same time, I know I there are things holding me back so I haven't realized my potential yet. I could be better, I have far more potential. I could be great like I used to be.

Addiction to porn and devices has killed my potential. That would be my next thing to tackle. For the purpose of this journal, my current focus is just rise early and start my morning strong. Win the morning, you win the day.

Except for that, I am trying to build a good daily routine. Eventually, I want a happy and meaningful life, which means self-actualization.

I am following Robin Sharma's book: the 5 am club. I strongly recommend this book to you guys if you want to make a change of your life. I could write a review of the book in another place.

I will here log my progress in early rising challenge, building a strong daily routine and the journey of self-healing.

Day 5:

I finished Robin Sharma's book 5am Club days ago and started to build my early rising habit. So it's my day 5 today.

I got up at 6, as I planned to do. Still not very sure about my daily routine. I feel I wasted a lot of time because I am not sure what I should do with this much time.

Anyway, I will add more details about all these. But I felt good I am doing quite well on this.

 

Definitely a great idea I will include in my routine from today. Where do you write down your tasks? Just paper and pencil or some software or app?

 

Cool, I used to use Microsoft Sticky Note in my work. In case any one else interested, Mac Stickies app work well on Mac. I'll use that on my own laptop.

 

Day 6:

Got up at 6. Learned Rachel's English.

 

Day 7:

Rise like about 6:10. Still feel a little bit drowsy even though I went to bed at 10. It was full of activities yesterday on Saturday. Everything happens on Saturday.

Now, I feel I have too much socializing. I don't have enough alone time. The first I think I can cut is badminton or pickleball. They don't bring me too much joy and physical strength.

Work hard hard and smart today, and you can go to bed early.

 

Day 8:

Get up at 6. It's a Monday. I feel full of energy. Ready for a great week.

Also, trying to figure out how to quote...

 

Day 9:

I am awake at 6:09. It was a very productive Monday yesterday. Ready for another productive day.

Meanwhile, I need clarity on my 20/20/20 formula (from the book 5am club). Usually I need 15 mins rise time, rolling out my bed, restroom, drinking a glass of water and so on. To start my 20/20/20 formula, I need to get up before 6, ideally 5:45. And from 6, I can completely focus on my 20/20/20 formula and finish everything before 7.

 

Day 10:

Work up at 5:48. I changed my alarm to 5:48, from yesterday. A great start. Consistency is the key. Keep up the good work, man.

I went to school like 7am in the morning. I didn't plan well this morning so didn't really follow the daily routine so well. Unfortunately, PMO 1/1/1. But take it easy. Take myself accountable but don't have beat yourself up. Plan your morning is definitely crucial.

Lesson from relapse today: go for a walk and work out in gym when I feel drossy, tired or the strong desire.

 

Day 11:

I rolled out of my bed at 5:48 right after my alarm went off. Feeling energized. Now with my better morning routine, I did the perfect 20/20/20 formula, i.e., intense workout / learning English / planning my day.

The workout is important that it sweeps away my drowsiness, increases my metabolism and clear my mind. Otherwise, I won't have a clear mind to study English. After the workout, the surroundings is still very quiet and I was ready to learn something new.

I am working on my English, like from a intermediate level to advanced level. I want to understand with little difficulty native speakers and talk like a native. Is there test so I can know how good / bad my speaking English is? Learning something in the morning is good also in that I feel good I am growing I am thriving I am making progress realizing myself. With better English, I will feel easy and calm, less self-conscious when I talk to other people. I will have more confidence.

Writing down my goals and planning of the day in the morning will plant a seed in my mind about what to do. I will have a map about where to go in the day. I will be less distracted, and my productivity will increase. And that leads a happier life.

Win your morning, you win your day. That’s not 100 percent correct but there’s truth in that proverb for sure.

 

From May 27 - Jun 2, I will be traveling the country. Therefore, I will take a break in this forum. I will go see my girlfriend's parents and other family? Have never done this before. Anyone has any suggestions?

 

Thanks, brother

 

Hello, brothers,

Since I'm now back from the visit to the east coast, I will go back to my daily routine: rising early in the morning, reading books and learning languages. Early rising from tomorrow but reading starts from today.

 

Day 12, Jun 4:

Woke up at 5:48 after my alarm went off. Feeling very energized after an 8h sleep. My day will be mostly focused on reading the book: Profit and Punishment by Tony Messenger. Also, it's my no device Saturday, so no social media. Use the time for studying and reflecting.

 

Day 13, Jun 5, Sun:

Today, I woke up at 5:20 and rolled out of bed at 6 and went back to sleep in till 7:30. Holding my phone playing trivia till 11. Basically wasted a lot of time on my devices and porn.

Later the afternoon, I started to read the book: Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville.

The trivia questions are very helpful for me so I learned a lot of American culture, songs and movies.

Overall, this is not the way I would hope to spend my day. I would hope to get up early in the morning, follow my workout routine (clearly I don't have one yet). And then start to practice English in Rachel's English. And then write down the 5 goals I wanna accomplish in the day.

Now, today, I can build up morning workup routine.

 

Thank you, man. I am working on myself. Support from people like you gave me a lot of motivations. Thanks. I wish you the same.

 

Day 14, Jun 6, Mon:

Get out of bed at 6:45. Because I went to bed too late at 12? or I lost steam? I lost some motivation? Consistency is the key? But what makes the consistency? I need to go back to the books -- maybe the 5 am club, mindset for winning by Mark Minervini or think and grow rich?

Wasted 4 hours in the morning in my own house and just went to work after lunch. Keep reading the book -- Democracy in American by Alexis de Tocqueville. Very insightful.

I wasted time on my device -- news and porn because I picked up my phone after breakfast. What do you guys do when you eat alone? Electronics drains me so much energy and will keep me distracted even after I finished the eating if I use them in eating. Or how can I put it down?