warikoo Wanderings

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MY DAILY ROUTINE

I love the fact that I have a routine.
A lot of people find that boring, but it works for me.
And I share it with the hope that it might work for you too.

My day is split into 4 distinct sections
1. Morning (until 9.30am) - dedicated to me
2. First half (until 12.30pm) - dedicated to my work
3. Second half (until 5.30pm) - dedicated to external engagements
4. Evening (until 9.30pm) - dedicated to family

This has been so for 4+ yrs. What has changed is what goes inside these 4 sections.

Here is the current routine:

I wake up between 4.30am-5am (mostly 4.50am).
The first thing I do is to get a glass of water, sit on the floor cross legged, and sip it like wine.
No phone.
No person.
No book.
Just me and and my water.
This is my way of waking up slowly. I think about the day to come, maybe remember a dream.
No agenda!

5.00-5.30am: I meditate
I started 4 years back with Headspace's guided meditation. Today I use Calm's non-guided meditation.
My smart watch records it as light sleep (b/c of how low my heart rate goes while I meditate) while I know I am awake! Awesome!
​Here is a video I recorded on my meditation journey.

5.30-6am: I read
This is a ritual. While I have started reading at the end of the day as well, I find my most effective reading time in the morning. It gets me to think actively about what I read, as against fall asleep right after reading :)
​Here is a video I recorded on how I read my books.

6-6.10am: Do epic shit
Not the book haha :))

6.10-6.30am: Get the kids ready for school
My wife goes to play tennis at 5.30am and comes back by 6.30am. My job is to make sure the kids have gotten up by then and have showered (I shower my younger daughter - son is self sufficient now!) and worn their uniform.

6.30-7.30am: Tennis
This is a daily ritual. We have a tennis court in the complex where we stay, so it is super convenient. And we have built a nice happy group that loves to play everyday.

7.30-8.15am: Workout
This is when I workout. My daily routine is a body part a day and I only do weights. The cardio is taken care of by tennis.

8.15-8.30am: Newspaper
I come back and read the newspaper, which is a daily habit. I read Hindustan Times and The Economic Times everyday.

8.30-9am: Get ready
Shower, etc.

9-9.30am: Breakfast
This is when my wife and I would sit for our breakfast together

9.30-12.30pm: Work
I work from home now. This period largely comprises:
- checking emails
- writing/creating/researching content
- thinking time
- browsing
- responding to comments

12.30-1.30pm: Distraction time
This is when I check social media for fun (mostly IG reels and Twitter)

1.30-2.30pm: Lunch

2.30-3.30pm: Afternoon nap
This is a recent addition (last 1 year) and I absolutely love it. Such a privilege to be able to afford this.

3.30-6.30pm: External engagements
I try and schedule my external meetings (zoom calls, etc.) during this period.
If no meetings, then work again (I never get bored of my work).

6.30-7pm: Dinner
We all have an early dinner (we like it that way and we also sleep early, that's why).

7-8pm: Park time
We go downstairs with the kids to the park. My wife and I also catch up on our day.

8-8.30pm: Get ready for bed
Brush, school bag for tomorrow, night dress, etc. :)

8.30-9pm: Put kids to bed
Usually my wife does this. If she does, I use this as distraction time. Else I am doing it, or helping with this.

9-9.30pm: Read
This is a new addition and I like this change

9.30pm: Bed time

If you look closely at the routine, it is the morning routine that sets me up for the day.
I use that time to feed myself, hear myself, spend time with myself.
Once done, very little can perturb my day.
I denied myself this privilege for most of my life.

We are thankfully at a spot in life where we can afford a lot of help, that takes care of the cleaning, cooking, home managing. So my wife and I have a very similar schedule (she too works from home).

What all have I learnt from following this schedule

1. If we allow the phone to start our day, we have given the world permission to manipulate us.
2. Managing energy = managing time.
   Spend time on things that give you energy. Weed out things that drain you out of it.
3. Urgent things call for our attention. Attend to them, but do not become slaves to them.
4. Boredom can be a goal. If you genuinely do not know what to do with your time, consider that a privilege. Don’t be ashamed of it.
5. Figuring how to spend your day is a journey, not a destination. It changes, it goes up and down, it works and at times it doesn't. Enjoy the journey.

Life isn't about being busy. It is about living it!

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BOOK I AM READING THIS WEEK

Started reading First and Last Freedom by J Krishnamurti.
I have read Krishnamurti's work before and have watched a lot of his thought provoking videos. This one is resonating just as much as the others did. Wonderful read, if philosophy is your subject. Will be a tough read though. It requires a certain level of judgement to read the book.

My book DO EPIC SHIT is now available in Hindi, Marathi and Tamil.
Of course, also in English :)
2 more languages coming up!

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QUOTES TO SHARE

Creativity rarely emerges in the presence of authority.
​​(Share on Twitter)​​

Don't force a destination upon something that is a journey.
​​(Share on Twitter)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

You will discover your passion along the way. Not find it one fine day!
​​(Share on Twitter)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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RESPONSES TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION

Last week I asked you:

What is the best part about a vacation?

1. Sightseeing/Tourist spots
2. Chilling/Relaxing
3. Clicking/sharing pictures
4. Different from everyday life
5. Discovering a new place/culture

Here are the responses:

• At a young age, vacations mean chilling/relaxing and most importantly an escape from the normal routine.
• As we grow older, notice how "discovering a new place/culture" gains prominence.
• Sightseeing/touristy things remains a constant around 10%
• Clicking/sharing pictures maxes out in 20s and thankfully not beyond 2%

My response?
Exactly the same pattern. Early on, it was about "something different from everyday". Today it is, the same thing we do today, but in a different setup/culture/context.

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PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Posted this pic on LinkedIn this week. This is from 2016.
It was a punishment (to wear formal clothes). Because I had sent an email on what was a no-email day at work.
Fun times :))

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How do you listen to your music?

1. Do not listen to music
2. YouTube
3. Spotify/Gaana/Saavn, etc
4. Downloaded songs on mobile/computer
5. Radio
6. Still buy CDs

​​Click here to let me know your answer (anonymously)​​​​​

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CONTENT I SHARED THIS WEEK

Podcast:​
Title of episode: Why saying yes is a bad thing
​Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcast, Apple Podcast, JioSaavn, Gaana or YouTube.

YouTube:​
Why is money valuable?
​You can watch it here.​

Instagram:​
3 reasons to take a gap year
​You can watch it here.​

Twitter:​
Letters I would write to my younger self
​You can read it here.​

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You can, of course, always write to me by simply replying to this newsletter.

I love reading all your emails, even though I may not be able to reply to them all.
Yes! I READ ALL MY EMAILS. ALL OF THEM.
​​​(Baarish ki khushboo ki kasam)

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