How I Deal With It

Goodmorning! Yesterday I checked out my stats after sending off the blog post. Between 5-6 a.m over 1,500 people viewed the post. We got a lot of early rises tuned in to the page and I think thats awesome. 100% of all my successful friends wake up early. Not saying that the only way to success is waking up early — I’m just sharing my observations. Beating the sun will forever be a top ‘personal development’ practice for me. Speaking on personal development… what is it? Well, I think it’s just that. The practices I use to develop me into a better version of myself. I wrote my practices down on paper the other day. All of them. I call em “tools in my tool belt” I do none of these things every single day. I do a few of them almost daily. I do some of them weekly. Others bi weekly. Others monthly. But as I’ve mentioned to you yesterday— theres no rigid routine to the practices. I would like to say waking up early is routine… but I don’t wake up at 4-5 Every. Single. Day. Most? Sure. But not every one.

Here’s The Tools That I Use To Work On Myself

-Early Morning Wake Ups

-Silence. (When driving, in nature and at home when I can find it there lol)

-Darkness Meditation (sleep mask on)

-Bible Reading

-Praying

-Praise/Worship

-Cold Exposure (cold shower but mostly cold plunges)

-Heat Exposure (sauna or epson salt bath)

-Stretching (the one I use least and the one I need most in this season of life)

-Fitness

-Nature (daily… and extended time in nature as often as possible — think multiple days)

-No Phone/ No Screens (for full days— and even week+)

-Reading (any good book… I love fiction too)

-Fasting! (This is a top one for me… one that I’ve been off of the past year as I was bulking up. A few 24 hours this year but nothing like years prior. Today is the restart of OMAD for me, again. I believe fasting is one of the best tools for my personal development. However, it’s not the best for my physical performance. But for how I feel physically? Very good when I’m fasting often/ daily!)

-Sobriety (not a purest… but feel my best when not drinking, obviously)

-Breath Work

-Buffer Zones (think of taking 5-10 mins between tasks to rest, recharge and reset)

-Quality time with good friends discussing life and growth

This might sound like a lot but like I mentioned— I don’t do any one of these things every single day. Or even weekly. I see all of these practices as tools in my tool belt. I have done each of them extensively and fully understand what I get from each practice. When I feel the need— or have a problem, I reach into the tool box and use a practice to help ‘fix’ (I use fix lightly) the problem. It’s more like ‘aid’ in fixing the problem. Or more like “helps get me back on track. Or stay on track”

Are you interested in diving into these practices extensively? I host and guide a +4 day all inclusive yearly retreat in Sedona AZ where we deep dive into these practices extensively. Not only will you leave the retreat feeling recharged — you’ll have a strong understanding of how to leverage each practice in your life as situations arise. I’ve filled 5 of the 8 spots for the trip with past attendees. You can inquire here: SEDONA RETREAT

There never seems to be the perfect time to start working on yourself. Life is always throwing different obstacles and challenges that steal time. This is why I believe in subtraction > addition. Meaning— a large part of my growth is taking things out of my diet. Not just food* but all daily consumption.

Drive in silence

Put the phone away at 5 and pick back up next day at work

No phone on weekend

Turn the TV off

Fast from food for the day (or till dinner!)

What I love about these practices in particular is that they require no extra time. You can start them today! This is a great way to start building momentum and confidence. You’ll be training your flesh to say “no” to what you have, at times, mindlessly said yes to. It’s a simple (not easy) way to start building discipline. That’s a challnege for you. If you feel you need it— try it. If you don’t feel you need it… ask yourself: “what’s the next challnege for me to level up?” DO THAT.

With Love

And in the fight with you

-Zach

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