How you live your day is how you live life

I was listening to a Ben Greenfield podcast all about his daily routine and at the start of the podcast he said, “How you live your day is how you live your life.”

I thought it was a powerful statement and something we could all live by. You can take this into every aspect of your life. Work, health, relationships and your daily habits that make up your day. Are you an earlier morning riser or do you struggle to get out of bed? Do you have your meals planned or eat when you are hungry?

When we look at our lives just as a single day, it’s easy to spot traits and habits that maybe don’t serve us. By saying ‘I’ll get up earlier tomorrow’ or ‘I’ll do that gym session another day’, is a reflection of how you live your life.

This isn’t about what’s right and wrong. It’s about noticing and evaluating how your daily habits reflect your life. To start this process, I would look at your results in all aspects of your life. Are you hitting your health and fitness, career and relationship goals? If you aren’t then start noticing how your daily habits are affecting these areas and start to make changes to help you live the life you want.

To help you do this I would get a pad and pen, writing down the answers to these questions and reflect on these actions. Do they serve you; do they reflect the way you want to live your life?

What time do I rise? How long before I wake do I get out of bed?

This is one thing I focus on a lot with my own daily routine and I don’t always get it right. I can find myself rising easily at 5.30am most mornings but as soon as I break the habit for a day or two then it’s hard to get it back. I would wake up, turn off the alarm and get back to bed. It’s not the way I want to live my life.

The reason I get up early is to focus on me. I journal, stretch, exercise and meditate. This time is for me and helps set my day up the right way.

What are you viewing or listening to first thing in the morning? When you wake up, do you scroll social media, listen to the news or do you read a book or listen to a podcast/recording that provides useful information? I know for a fact it’s easier to lift the phone and hit the Facebook and Instagram app, but is that the way you want to live your life? Could you change this habit by reading or listening to something that is positive and helps you grow?

Are you moving? Are you active first thing in the morning? Do you go for a morning walk before work? Being active especially outside first thing in the morning is a brilliant way to live your life. You are kick-starting your circadian rhythm which helps regulate your body.

What are you eating and drinking?

Do you reach for coffee or water first thing in the morning? My advice would be to go for the water. The body is dehydrated from the night before and needs replenished. You may want that caffeine hit (you shouldn’t if you are on top of your sleeping pattern) but make a smarter choice with a glass of water first. Focus on what you are eating first thing in the morning. Is it full of sugar or high in protein?

How are you greeting others? Family, friends, clients or work colleagues may be the first people you see in the morning. How are you greeting them. The energy you give to them is exactly what you will receive back. That works both positively and negatively.

Have you planned your day? One habit that has helped me massively is planning my day the night before I go to bed.

I will write out the time on one side of a page and then the tasks I will complete during this time. When I don’t do this sometimes, I feel like my day can just pass me by.

Do you move throughout the day? If you wear a tracking device that tells you to get up and move then please do so. You should schedule in some movement breaks throughout day, especially if your job is very stationary.

Other questions to ask yourself. Have you your meals planned? Is there time in your day to be spontaneous? Have you planned time with loved ones? Does your evening involve watching TV and looking at social media? Are you giving time to improve you in the evenings? Reading, exercising, learning? What is your night-time routine like? Are you going to bed at the same time every night? Are you reflecting on your day each night? Are you planning your next day? Are you getting your seven to eight hours of sleep?

It may take you a bit of time to truly answer these questions and to figure out what is best for you. It’s an ongoing process and something I visit quite regularly. Don’t be afraid to get it wrong, that will just help you find the right path.

By Gary Wallace