I’m big into rituals. I like to learn the rituals of the mentors in my life. To see what they are doing on a daily basis to improve their lives.
So I thought I’d share my rituals living in New York. Maybe one thing will help you. They’ve helped me.
The time I wake up varies depending on the time I go to bed. I try to get 7-8 hours of sleep and get up between 7-8am.
First, I walk 10 minutes to Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. I’ll usually listen to a podcast. My 3 podcasts are:
All these podcasts are empowering, insightful, and entertaining.
After my walk, I find a bench and I meditate for 15-20 minutes. Here are a couple tools that help me meditate:
-Calm Meditation station on Pandora
-The ambience of the New York City Park – The birds, the trees, the car horns in the distance.
Next, I walk to a juice bar for a green juice on Avenue A. My juice is usually kale, spinach, celery, cucumber, lemon, apple, and ginger.
Then breakfast, and journaling.
My journal routine is simple and consistent. I never miss a day.
Journal routine part 1: The Gratitude Exercise. I write down 5 things I’m grateful for everyday. I keep it simple. Small things. People in my life. Books I’m reading. Health. Things in the moment or the day before.
Journal ritual part 2: Ideas Exercise. This is something I learned from James Altucher through reading his work. Create a category, and write down 10 ideas. Examples – blog ideas, surprise gift for a friend, 10 ways to network better. The point is not so much in each idea. The point is to build your idea muscle. Writing down 10 bad ideas per day, you become as James calls, an “idea machine.” Through all of those bad ideas, you will eventually create good ideas quickly. This exercise gets my mind going in the morning.
Writing – Work time. I try to spend 2-3 hours per day writing. This is a challenge at times. I’ll openly admit I procrastinate. I don’t finish writing projects in one sitting. It’s something I’m working on.
After writing, or (fake writing) it’s afternoon, and I find a place to read. I try to read for at least 1 hour each day minimum. I rotate multiple books during a time period. Usually 1 fiction book, one spiritual book, and another personal development book, or biography that will inspire me.
Later in the day, after 5 or 6 pm, I exercise. I’ll go for a run, and/or go to the gym and lift weights.
There it is, the simple rituals and habits of a backpacker in New York City.
P.S. – Ritual goals: Something I need to get better at daily, is relationship building and nurturing. I’m going to start working on this. Nurturing the relationships I have, and attempt to build new ones.