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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These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
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Research your topic at night.
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Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
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Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
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A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
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A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
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