Zen Training
A One Hour Morning Routine to Jumpstart Your Growth
Since becoming a coach I’ve become fascinated with learning as much as I can about success, how successful people remain successful and how to live a life full of joy and purpose. I’ve also learned that some teachings critical for success and fulfillment remain constant. Therefore, I’ve put together this Zen Training to help my clients jumpstart their growth and prime their mindset. The training consists of implementing a one-hour morning routine over the course of 10 days compiled of techniques used by practically every person who has achieved success while maintaining a life full of purpose. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “I barely have time to read THIS! I don’t have an extra hour to squeeze into my day!” Yes, you do. That’s exactly what this training is for...to give you more T.I.M.E. (Acronym adopted from Jay Shetty's "Think Like A Monk")
Are you INTERESTED in changing your life or are you COMMITED?
Thankfulness
5 to 10 minutes
Start each day with gratitude by writing down 5 things you are grateful for. Why? It forces you to focus on what you have (abundance) and away from what you lack (scarcity). Where focus goes, energy flows. With an abundance mindset, you attract more abundance. With a scarcity mindset, no matter what you gain it will eventually leave you. It’s not enough to just say you’ll “change your thinking,” you have 70,000 thoughts a day...do you really have time to change them all? More gratitude leads to more happiness, but it takes conscious effort to start feeling the benefits.
LEARN to use the resources you already possess to bring success to you.
HEAL your pain by focusing on your pleasure.
Insight
15 to 20 minutes
LEARN something new...about yourself. Read about, or listen to, something you want to become more knowledgeable about. Maybe start with an area of life where you feel lack (money, success, relationships, health) or something your passionate about (fishing, photography, dog training, stock trading). Then take what you've learned and relate it to your life. This one is super fun and can carry you away, so set a timer for 15 minutes and discipline yourself to stop.
This can also take the form of journaling (which I highly recommend to all of my clients). Was there something in your day that caused a strong reaction? Good or bad? What did you learn about yourself? BE CURIOUS, not critical. Why is this important? Because the key to your happiness lies in YOU. What can you LEARN from your experiences?
LEARN more about yourself through different resources.
GROW by expanding your mindset and understanding.
Meditation
10 to 15 minutes
There are so many different ways to do this, you just have to find one that works for you. If you're new to the practice, I recommend setting a timer on your phone for five to ten minutes so you know when to stop. Then close your eyes, focus on breathing deep into your belly, and start to visualize the future you WANT to see.
Where do you live? Who are you with? What sounds do you hear? What does it feel like? Every physical object you encounter throughout your day first started as a thought (think about that). In order to manifest a new life, you first must visualize it.
Negative thoughts may come up. In fact, you should EXPECT them to because this awareness is their kryptonite! The goal is to be KIND to yourself for having them, recognizing they're there and consciously CHOOSING to see a better reality. Over time those negative thoughts will loose their power because you'll start recognizing them for what they are...just thoughts.
HEAL by allowing your senses the joy of experiencing a brighter reality.
CREATE a new reality by visualizing what you want to manifest.
Exercise
15 to 20 minutes
I learned a while back that exercise is NOT about losing weight or toning up, that's merely a byproduct. It’s about maintaining your mental and physical health to receive the wisdom directing you and to jump the hurdles you will inevitable come to on your growth journey.
Don't focus on the struggle, focus on the benefits.
Take a walk around the block, try yoga, chair yoga (it’s a thing), go for a run, do a HIIT workout, ride a bike, rollerblade (people are doing that again), lift weights and the list goes on and on. Look at the list, there’s something for everyone at every level. Don't make excuses, make it fun!
LEARN that you body is more capable than you think.
GROW in your practice to take on harder challenges.
HEAL your body by giving it the oxygen it needs.
CREATE a body that supports you.
How is this giving me MORE time?
At first glance it may be hard to see how adding MORE onto your plate is giving you MORE time; it seems counter-intuitive, but let me ask you this.. How are you sleeping at night? How long does it take you to make a decision during the day? Do you ever regret those decisions? How long does it take you complete tasks? Do you make mistakes? If so, how dong does it take to correct them?
My point is this. You have to put your mask on first. You have to make taking care of yourself a priority before you have the capability of taking care of others (or their businesses). Research has proven that EVERY practice mentioned above dramatically increases one's ability to sleep more sound, make less mistakes, make better decisions and even make you better at sex. Yes, that's right. I said it. Great SEX!
I know it's hard. It takes 60 days to form a new habit, but after that, that's all it becomes...just part of your daily routine. The catch is that the only way to see the benefits is to take ACTION! So, let me ask you again..
Are you INTERESTED in changing your life or are you COMMITTED?
