There are many statements that one might hear during the week. Here is what I mean:
Students before assembly on a Monday morning:
“Monday again! Why has the weekend gone so soon?”
A sixteen-year-old student:
“Why are they making us run in the morning? Damn it, it’s so tiring. Why the hell don’t we get a break?”
Thursday morning – an individual before leaving for work:
“I am honestly waiting for Sunday. This damn week has been so stressful. Today is just another day filled with loads of crap to deal with.”
Do note that all that I have mentioned so far has to do with mornings. Personally, these statements should be prohibited. They should be at level with if not worse than unethical acts such as discrimination. Now the question may be why?
Understand this, once and for all: THESE STATEMENTS ARE DEMORALIZING. THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU SHOULD HEAR ON THE MORNING OF ANY DAY.
Criticising the first statement:
Monday morning should be a motivation instead of a nuisance. It is the first day of the week. It makes way for individuals to determine their weekly objective and put in place a plan of action to work towards it. In my opinion, thinking of Monday as a nuisance can indeed make your whole week a nuisance.
Criticising the second statement:
Starting your day off with some physical activity gives you an initial boost to get cracking. Remember, once you are on with your tasks, you keeping on accomplishing one task after another. You work to put in quality. And you are satisfied with the outcome.
Criticising the third statement:
This individual has clearly decided that this particular Thursday will be a stressful day. Psychologically, this statement has been programmed into his brain, indeed making that day an unproductive day. Secondly, the statement “I am honestly waiting for Sunday” would make the brain interpret that Friday and Saturday are also scheduled to be stressful, hence unproductive days.
Why on earth do I think this is important?
As all of you might know by now (or at least I expect you to know by now), the International Baccalaureate is a demanding system of education. It sure does expand your brain but tests your decision-making and time management skills to the limit. I wish I knew these things in MYP. In DP, it is still difficult for me at times to implement an organized schedule. Over the years, I realized that the morning defines your day. A productive morning will have you end up with a productive day. Here is how I would advise you to make your morning productive:
“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.” ~ Admiral William H. McRaven, USN (retired)
This retired four-star admiral of the United States Navy has really inspired me. Especially the words, “If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right.” This is very true. I make my bed every morning. Not because I want to emulate a soldier. This is because of the motivation I receive after completing the task. It is indeed a proud moment to have accomplished the first task of the day, no matter how small it maybe.
And on a lighter note, the admiral also stated, “And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made – that you made – and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.”
Now, this does not end with having made your bed. You have a long day ahead. A lot of stuff to do.
After this, you want to go on to do another task.
Our very own founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah stated, “With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.”
After making your bed, change into a track suit and go for a run. You may choose to walk, run, do different warm-up exercises (such as jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, squats; etc.). Just make sure that you put in at least half an hour for a good workout. It will honestly give you a boost to jumpstart your day (it is a replacement for caffeine).
Next comes breakfast. Do not take more than ten minutes to consume the first meal of the day. That is just not the way it is done. Early in the morning, you need to have the motivation and the urge to get cracking on your tasks and responsibilities for the day. Your ultimate worldly goal at that time is to have a productive day. Eat an energizing meal, don’t take more than ten minutes, and get on with your work.
TIP: I am a big fan of Sudoku. It is often considered to be a game reserved for retired individuals. However, I have realized that it not only develops your logical thinking skills but jumpstarts your brain, just like exercise jumpstarts your body.
In my opinion, following this routine will not only motivate you to have a productive day but will also put in place, a sense of structure in the morning, the time when a person has just woken up.
Good luck!
Mir Sulaiman Khan is a guest writer for Onymous. If you want your articles to be featured on Onymous, send them to onymousib@gmail.com. Your article could be about anything and everything - Onymous is a place to express all your thoughts and emotions - free of filters!