Dynamic Life Systems

Over a year ago, I listened to a mindset podcast that offered eight tips on what not to do when you wake up. So I implemented them, and a year later, I am sharing them with you as I found them highly effective.

First: Stop waking up at different times; one thing your body wants to do is have a routine; it is best to be in line with circadian rhythms; this includes the weekends.

Second: Stop hitting the snooze; if you hit the snooze, you are automatically starting your day off with a loss; you were fully conscious before bed; you told yourself you were going to wake up at that time, and then you heard that alarm go off, and you sell yourself all the excuses why you need to sleep in don't set multiple alarms wake up with your first alarm otherwise it sets you off on the wrong foot.

Three: Stop looking at your phone immediately; getting an alarm that isn't your phone would be beneficial, making it a lot easier not to check your phone first thing when you wake. Another handy tip is to put that alarm clock on the other side of the room so you must get up and turn it off. The benefit of this is you aren't negating with yourself; you decided when you went to bed last night to wake at the time sent when you self and start your day with a loss. Also, it helps avoid checking social media and taking in all that negativity, allowing the mind to up clear. Checking texts, emails etc. means your brain has to start putting out the daily fires first thing take the morning for you.

Four: Make your bed. I must confess this one is for me often neglected as when I wake, I leave my partner asleep in the bed, so I can't make it, and on the days I wake alone. I need to remember to implement it. But I have had some days when I d remember to do this, and the feeling I get is a winning one; it takes thirty seconds; it may not seem like a big deal. I only sleep in my room, so it feels like a useless task by if you wake up and are successful in not hitting snooze and not checking your phone. You make the bed; that is three wins right there, all at your day's start, and you know how much better you feel? Try it and see if you are one hundred per cent better for it because your brain releases dopamine with each win and motivates you to go and get the successes through the day.

Five: Stop taking warm showers. I know this one for me. It was not easy to implement this one since I like to shower before bed, but I did it and felt better about it. There is so much information online on the benefits of a cold shower, but it first wakes me up better than caffeine and helps build a mental fortitude in overcoming the things I don't want to do. Tip have a warm shower before bed and wake and hit yourself with a quick cold blast.

Six: Do not wake up and do anything that isn't for you; your morning routine should be primarily about you and getting your best start to your day so you can keep going thru it and improving upon it; if you have responsibilities, that's fine, but what about waking up before you have to do these things.

Seven: Stop drinking coffee right away. Studies have found that your cortisol levels which are your stress hormones, are at their absolute highest when you wake up; think bout this and how often, as the alarm goes off, stress you feel about going off to work. I know I get it. I don't get it on the days off, so the worst thing you can do when feeling this way is to add coffee, which will increase the levels. It is recommended you wait an hour before your first cup to allow your stress levels to go down.

Eight: Stop eating. It's called breakfast; we break the fast; I don't believe in intermittent fasting; I don't believe In skipping breakfast, But I have now become accustomed to waiting about two hours. I have a large cup of water for three dates, which keeps me going until I can have a proper breakfast.

Mind your f**king manners C**T!

Far too often, I catch myself in a s**t mood, and my attitude quickly reflects my spirit; this becomes evident when I interact with others, especially those testing my patience. But why should others have to be mindful of my bad mood or accept my s**t attitude?

No matter your philosophy or path, you shouldn't have your mood and emotions dictate your manners. I get that we are not emotionless, that we all feel things, but that is also why when we feel pi**ed off, we should still be using good manners, being kind and courteous, and being reasonable, as our s**t attitude can ruin someone else day, which may very well be undeserving of it.

No matter how you feel, others are not required to walk on glass around you. They are not responsible for treating you with kid's gloves simply because you are in a bad mood. Your responsibility is to conduct yourself as a person of good character, acting with honour and integrity, no matter how you feel daily.

It is never wise to allow emotions to dictate your words or actions. Be you a student of Stoicism or not, one must learn to control their feelings, conduct themselves with virtue, and try to do the highest good despite their emotions or mood.

Master your emotions before they master you and dictate your actions.

Dynamic Chad

Something to think about while training:

"Deliberate practice refers to a special type of practice that is purposeful and systematic. While regular practice might include mindless repetitions, deliberate practice requires focused attention and is conducted with the specific goal of improving performance" - James Clear (Atomic Habits)

Last Monday, the above quote appeared in the Kali Arnis group chat from our instructor Blake Keselar at MARA (Martial Arts Research Academy); it is taken from Atomic Habits by James Clear (if you have not had any contact with this book, I recommend you do so immediately)

Later that night, once training was completed, our instructor followed up on the quote by asking how many of us had understood it and applied it in class for ownership. Unfortunately, most of us had failed, and our instructor gave the class feedback, sighting that we all just went through the motions (mindless practice) without real thought or intention for what we were doing. As a result, lazy footwork, bad targeting and unrealistic blocks became the norm and required more focused attention.

It got me thinking about how often do commit acts of mindless practice. And not just in Kali but in all aspects of my self-defence and self-development. How often do I listen to mindset/Stoic podcasts or read material without absorbing it? Atomic Habits is a book I have read and immediately began adopting information to be better.

I train self-defence for a specific purpose and live and work in an environment where I have been called upon to use my skill sets, so when I train in any art or even lift weights, I know I want to make these training session count as repetition is the key to success. Still, repetition of bad habits can lead to disaster, not just in a confrontation but in resistance training also can have adverse effects on your body if you lift the wrong way over and over; along with your diet, the mindless overconsumption of the wrong thing over and over. In addition, it will affect your physical and mental health regarding what you read, watch, and listen to.

Make sure all you do and practice is purposeful and systematic.

Dynamic Chad