“The Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod describes a system he uses to “jump start” the day. The basic premise is to begin every morning with a specific routine. The activities will set the tone for your morning, which sets you up for a successful day, and if repeated with consistency, a great life.
I do my own version of the Miracle Morning. I’ve modified it to fit my needs, but I still follow the basics of the protocol. Hal calls them the S.A.V.E.R.S. (silence, affirmations, visualizations, exercise, reading, scribing/writing).
The tasks are done to form the foundation of your day. The goal is to do the SAVERS first thing after getting out of bed, and within an hour. The tasks will tend the gardens of your mind, body, and soul so that you have the energy and clarity to maximize your day. Even if the workday goes off the rails, my morning routine gives me a sense of accomplishment. For me, it’s like “making the bed” of my mind.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all dealing with an alternate version of daily life. Some call it “the new norm.” The morning routine has helped to keep me grounded in these uncertain times. Having a set rituals could be helpful for you, especially if you feel doubt and uncertainty in your life.
If I don’t do my routine, I have an uneasy feeling during the day. This reinforces the importance of making sure it gets done. I haven’t missed a daily SAVERS in some shape or form in years.
The mental benefit of having a set of sequential actions each morning is freeing. The first dozen decisions of the day are already made for you. The routine connects your brain to comfort and ease. Starting the day with less stress is good!
My personal routine
My morning routine has evolved over time. Currently it is the SAVERS plus some additional activities I added.
I drink 3 cups of ice water first thing. I also enjoy my coffee during the SAVERS.
For me, “Silence” is vipassna meditation for 10 to 20 minutes.
The Affirmations are a list of phrases I borrowed from Hal’s recommendations. I recite them aloud.
Visualizations happen right after meditation. I picture what my perfect day is like in 7 years, from the moment of waking to going to bed, in as much detail as possible.
Exercise is currently a scheduled workout on my bike. I don’t do a shorter workout as indicated in the book, and I consider my session separate from the SAVERS, but I do a workout everyday. It can be as simple as push-ups and squats if I’m not able to ride my bike.
Reading is for 5 to 10 minutes on the Kindle app, usually a book about self-improvement.
Scribing/Writing is done through The Daily Stoic Journal, as well as through a manifestation journal.
I usually get through the SAVERS within an hour, excluding my bike workout. The training program that I’m currently doing is too long to fit into the SAVERS’ hour.
If I happen to be time strapped or travelling, I’ll condense the routine to fit it in to the time I have. It’s not ideal but it still gives me a sense of certainty.
This is the sequence that kicks off my day, every day. It makes for certainty and comfort. I encourage you to develop your own routine to fit your needs. It can be simpler or more complex. But do it every single day and you’ll feel the difference.
The Mindful Vet 