Success Advice
No Coffee Required: 5 Morning Routines That Can Help You Maintain Long Work Days
I have been asked that question many times over; How can you maintain such a source of inexhaustible energy? I bet you drink two cups of coffee per day. The answer is actually no! I see coffee as being addictive, so I don’t get myself into the habit of drinking coffee and not being able to get out of it. Well, how do I do it then? The steps that follow will help you maintain a reasonable level of energy throughout the day.
Here are my 5 morning routines to help me maintain my 15 hour work day:
1. Morning reading for 20 minutes
The first thing I do when I wake up is pick up a good book and read for 20 minutes. I don’t check my messages or emails. Don’t get tempted into going to your computer first thing in the morning. Reading something positive first thing in the morning will set the tone for the rest of the day. Don’t use your smartphone, or anything that will distract you.
The reason you do this is because you will have a sense of control as you are doing something that you deliberately choose to do. If the first thing you do when you wake up is to start worrying about the demands of life, you are setting yourself up for failure. You will be depleted and won’t be able to do anything productive during the day. Start your day with a sense of control and maintain that attitude throughout the day and maintain that virtuous cycle. Those first 20 minutes are sacred, use them wisely!
“When you are at home, even if the chicken is a little burnt, what’s the big deal? Relax.” – Jacques Pepin
2. Morning exercise for 10 minutes
Your 20-minute reading will be followed by 10 minutes of physical exercises. Push-ups, sit-ups, leg raises or jogging. Whatever you can do to get you physically pumped up. Some good music will be a plus. Exercising first thing in the morning helps boost your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories throughout the day through a process called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, or EPOC.
Exercising increases your productivity and gets your endorphins going. You will be more awake and ready to tackle your day by giving yourself that extra energy boost. In addition to the productivity boost, research also shows that working out can increase your mental clarity for four to 10 hours post-exercise. This ten-minute workout gets you ready for the next step that you are about to learn shortly.
3. Morning shower for 15 minutes
If I were to choose between morning and night showers, I would definitely choose morning showers. This may different for most people but showering early morning is yet another amazing energy booster to get you ready for the long day ahead. Research shows that a morning shower can energize the body and help stimulate the lymphatic system.
In addition, a morning shower can wake you up and even boost creativity according to research. Dr. Janet K. Kennedy a clinical expert and sleep expert in New York, recommends a morning shower for those who have a hard time getting out of bed. You got to wash that sleep off!
“Everyone who has taken a shower has had an idea. It’s the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it that makes a difference.” – Nolan Bushnell
4. Morning writing for 5 minutes
Spending five minutes every morning writing will be of great value as well. I usually spend five minutes each morning writing about what I am grateful for, my parents, my health, my work, etc. I would then write about what the one task is that I would need to get done above all during the day today. Lastly, I write my LTG (long-term Goal) down. I remind myself that everything I do today will be another step to take me closer to that goal.
5. Power breakfast for 10 minutes
Yes, you see right. I call this the power breakfast. I take time to have an abundant breakfast. It varies between fruits, cereals, breads, hot chocolate, milk, chow mein and so on. After that breakfast I am ready to face the day. Sometimes, I will eat breakfast at my office or in class, but I will always make sure I have the power breakfast. While I usually go through the first four steps without speaking a word to anyone, the breakfast is usually different. You are free to have breakfast your way, but always make sure you get your “power breakfast.”
These rules may seem too simplistic as indeed they are, but they are effective. In 2016 I got bad reviews simply because I was sleeping too much in my cubicle and I couldn’t focus. When they would not renew my contract for sleeping too much in my office I knew I needed to find a lasting solution if things were to be different. It had to be a healthy and lasting solution.
From December 2016, I have decided to use these five steps and they have worked wonders. As a matter of fact, I sleep for 5.5 hours down from eight hours previously. That may sound counterintuitive but I have more energy to go through the day right now than I did when I was sleeping eight hours. I know it is effective because I literally work around 15 hours a day. The ultimate success of my writing depends on whether you decide to take these principles and apply them in your own life.
One simple question; Why wouldn’t you give it try?
Image courtesy of Twenty20.com
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9 Harsh Truths Every Young Man Must Face to Succeed in the Modern World
Before chasing success, every young man needs to face these 9 brutal realities shaping masculinity in the modern world.
Many young men today quietly battle depression, loneliness, and a sense of confusion about who they’re meant to be.
Some blame the lack of deep friendships or romantic relationships. Others feel lost in a digital world that often labels traditional masculinity as “toxic.”
But the truth is this: becoming a man in the modern age takes more than just surviving. It takes resilience, direction, and a willingness to grow even when no one’s watching.
Success doesn’t arrive by accident or luck. It’s built on discipline, sacrifice, and consistency.
Here are 9 harsh truths every young man should know if he wants to thrive, not just survive, in the digital age.
1. Never Use Your Illness as an Excuse
As Dr. Jordan B. Peterson often says, successful people don’t complain; they act.
Your illness, hardship, or struggle shouldn’t define your limits; it should define your motivation. Rest when you must, but always get back up and keep building your dreams. Motivation doesn’t appear magically. It comes after you take action.
Here are five key lessons I’ve learned from Dr. Peterson:
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Learn to write clearly; clarity of thought makes you dangerous.
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Read quality literature in your free time.
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Nurture a strong relationship with your family.
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Share your ideas publicly; your voice matters.
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Become a “monster”, powerful, but disciplined enough to control it.
The best leaders and thinkers are grounded. They welcome criticism, adapt quickly, and keep moving forward no matter what.
2. You Can’t Please Everyone And That’s Okay
You don’t need a crowd of people to feel fulfilled. You need a few friends who genuinely accept you for who you are.
If your circle doesn’t bring out your best, it’s okay to walk away. Solitude can be a powerful teacher. It gives you space to understand what you truly want from life. Remember, successful men aren’t people-pleasers; they’re purpose-driven.
3. You Can Control the Process, Not the Outcome
Especially in creative work, writing, business, or content creation, you control effort, not results.
You might publish two articles a day, but you can’t dictate which one will go viral. Focus on mastery, not metrics. Many great writers toiled for years in obscurity before anyone noticed them. Rejection, criticism, and indifference are all part of the path.
The best creators focus on storytelling, not applause.
4. Rejection Is Never Personal
Rejection doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It simply means your offer, idea, or timing didn’t align.
Every successful person has faced rejection repeatedly. What separates them is persistence and perspective. They see rejection as feedback, not failure. The faster you learn that truth, the faster you’ll grow.
5. Women Value Comfort and Security
Understanding women requires maturity and empathy.
Through books, lectures, and personal growth, I’ve learned that most women desire a man who is grounded, intelligent, confident, emotionally stable, and consistent. Some want humor, others intellect, but nearly all want to feel safe and supported.
Instead of chasing attention, work on self-improvement. Build competence and confidence, and the rest will follow naturally.
6. There’s No Such Thing as Failure, Only Lessons
A powerful lesson from Neuro-Linguistic Programming: failure only exists when you stop trying.
Every mistake brings data. Every setback builds wisdom. The most successful men aren’t fearless. They’ve simply learned to act despite fear.
Be proud of your scars. They’re proof you were brave enough to try.
7. Public Speaking Is an Art Form
Public speaking is one of the most valuable and underrated skills a man can master.
It’s not about perfection; it’s about connection. The best speakers tell stories, inspire confidence, and make people feel seen. They research deeply, speak honestly, and practice relentlessly.
If you can speak well, you can lead, sell, teach, and inspire. Start small, practice at work, in class, or even in front of a mirror, and watch your confidence skyrocket.
8. Teaching Is Leadership in Disguise
Great teachers are not just knowledgeable. They’re brave, compassionate, and disciplined.
Teaching forces you to articulate what you know, and in doing so, you master it at a deeper level. Whether you’re mentoring a peer, leading a team, or sharing insights online, teaching refines your purpose.
Lifelong learners become lifelong leaders.
9. Study Human Nature to Achieve Your Dreams
One of the toughest lessons to accept: most people are self-interested.
That’s not cynicism, it’s human nature. Understanding this helps you navigate relationships, business, and communication more effectively.
Everyone has a darker side, but successful people learn to channel theirs productively into discipline, creativity, and drive.
Psychology isn’t just theory; it’s a toolkit. Learn how people think, act, and decide, and you’ll know how to lead them, influence them, and even understand yourself better.
Final Thoughts
The digital age offers endless opportunities, but only to those who are willing to take responsibility, confront discomfort, and keep improving.
Becoming a man today means embracing the hard truths most avoid.
Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about luck. It’s about who you become when life tests you the most.
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