Morning routine for a productive day

Every morning is a clean slate, and therefore it's an awesome idea to get as much out of your mornings, so that the rest of your day can be just as productive. Do you want to finally fulfill that dream of yours? Or just get your homework done in the morning so that you can do the fun stuff after school? These are my tips on how to wake up early and be productive as soon as your head leaves the pillow.


I've been testing different things out for some weeks now, since I've had my study break and stuff, so I think I know at least slightly what I'm talking about. The thing is, though, that everything doesn't work for everyone. But these are things that I've done that have worked for me. And I can guarantee that at least one of these will change your life.

(Of course, you have to change the times you wake up depending on when you have to leave for school or work, because all of our lives are so different)

07:00 wake up

When I wake up, I don't snooze. No matter how much I want to, I don't do it. I can lay in bed for a few minutes more just to write a dream I've had in my dream journal, or to add something to my TO-DO list (which I always write the night before. More about that here). Then I stretch or jump around to wake up completely, and head for the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face.

07:10 work on a project

This could be a drawing, my novel or this blog, but the important thing is to do one productive thing before breakfast. By accomplishing something already this early in the morning, you take a lot of pressure off yourself. I've found that I don't procrastinate half as much as I used to, because I've already been productive that day, and can still feel that dopamine in my body telling me that it feels AMAZING to do things, so I just want to keep doing.

Another reason to work on a project in the morning is that it's quieter, and therefore a lot easier to just focus on yourself and your art or school work. It's also extremely effective if you feel like you have too little time. A lot of people dream of writing a book, but use their busy lives as an excuse. But with a program called write or die, you can force yourself to write 500 words in 15 minutes, and that could be the only writing you did, but you'd still have a solid first draft in less than a year. So stop with the excuses and use your mornings effectively!

07:35 have breakfast

This is pretty self explanatory. But don't go for sugary things that will just give you cravings later on and disturb your productiveness in the day. Eating eggs in the morning keeps you full longer and gives you lots of protein. Eggs also help with brain development and memory, which is awesome if you're going to be at school all day learning things. With some practice, you may even become an omelet master like me, and learn to make a healthy breakfast in only five minutes. Leaves a lot of time for more fun things, yay!

After eating, I dress and attempt to something to my lion mane of hair, but then give up and just look like I belong in the jungle for the rest of the day. If you are good at make up and not a horrible mess like me, reserve some time for that. You might have to wake up earlier, but you've got to suffer a little to be beautiful, right?

At 08:00 I need to be ready to start my day by working out and then working on my business, learning new things and enjoying my life. I am just starting out my business right now while also writing on my fantasy novel every day, so my routines may differ from someone who is in school or has a day job. But whatever you do with your life, remember to use your time effectively and take small steps toward your dreams every day.

Have a wonderful day,
Em. 

How to face the fear of doing the things you want

"What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do."
~ Tim Ferriss

"He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
 

I've learned a lot about conquering fear these past few days. In preschool, I was a "tough" little girl, not afraid of spiders or bugs or even snakes, because I was just cool like that (or that's what I told myself). But the thing I've always been afraid of is speaking. When I was younger, all the way up to ninth grade I was selectively mute. I hated speaking to strangers, so I didn't. 

Shyness is a part of me, and I've accepted it in later years. I'm okay with who I am shyness now and have learned to talk when I need to. But I remember what a huge issue it used to be for both me and the people around me. There was so much pressure for me to be normal and get many friends, and I secretly dreamed of being the popular girl. Despite enjoying my own company, sometimes I wanted to talk to somebody, but was too afraid of what they might have thought of me. I missed out on many friendships and am still socially awkward and have never developed any small talk skills whatsoever.

Social situations are still incredibly scary. I fear performing, being in front of a camera and usually making posts to instagram makes me worry if I sound stupid or if my words even make any sense. Some days it gets so bad that I get paralyzed by it, letting my fear of putting myself out there overwhelm me and control my life.

I don't want that. Not for myself. Not for anyone.

A thing I've wanted to do for ages is starting a youtube channel. It's been on my mind even before I started instagram. But it all comes back to that one fear and insecurity I've had for my entire life: talking. Even if it's in my bedroom with a camera or microphone, I can't do it. I start shaking. Not as much as I would in front of a class or a big crowd, but still. And it makes me feel so ridiculous and dumb. This one fear creates a domino effect of self consciousness and doubt that seems to never end. 

I don't think I'm alone. We all have fears. Some have many. Some have few. But our fears always try to hold us back somehow. They hold us back from doing the things that'd bring us joy. And every time we give into it, we're sabotaging our own happiness.

I recently heard a story about a bee called Bertha. Here's an inspiring, thought-provoking video about self-discipline that will tell you that we as humans have so much power over our own fears: 


(Watch it! Seriously!)

We're programmed to be afraid of certain things. As humans, we fear change. I fear talking to people, and that means that social things are outside my comfort zone. Taking chances and overcoming challenges takes courage, work and forces us to step outside those comfort zones. We are by nature lazy creatures. If we never change, we'll stay alive, and that's what has kept humankind from extinction for millions of years. But we're not bees. We can change that programming and choose how to react to situations and how to live our life.

Just think about how much power you have.

Fear has helped us in the past, but in this day and age, fear keeps us from being happy. We all need to actively seek opportunities to be in control of our own lives. We are afraid of things so that we can know what we most need to do. Fear isn't something we have to run from or get rid of. It's completely natural and normal. Instead we can use it as a guide, or a compass, to help us find the things we need to do and where we should go. Listen to yourself and learn all of your fears. Make decisions that make you happy because you're challenging yourself, not because it makes things easier for you.
 
 
I'm comfortable where I am right now. My life's amazing, and pretty easy. I do the things I love and love the things I do. But there's one thing missing. Growth.

We can't grow or learn if we don't move and face obstacles. We can't allow fears to control us. But we shouldn't ignore those fears either, because we have them for a reason.

What we're afraid of is what we should do.

Let's face our fears today. What are you afraid of? How will you face that fear?

Yesterday I filmed my first ever youtube video. It was horrifying, but I felt so fulfilled and accomplished. You can do whatever you set your mind out to do. Let your fears inspire you, not control you.

Love,
Em.