I WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME how to win the morning

“I wish someone had told me” is a series of posts that feed into our inquisitive nature at CN&CO. Each week we hear from someone in our network about something interesting or surprising that’s recently happened or occurred to them. These blogs are a way to pay it forward and form part of CN&CO’s belief that the world can be a better place – and we all have a responsibility to make it so. This week’s post is by Gianluca Tucci.

The first moments in one’s day can turn out to be the most important actions to what follows. I’ve learnt that they set the foundation of the day to come. If you are not a morning person, like me, then developing a morning routine is a must. As Tim Ferriss puts it in his book ‘Tools of Titans’ (a must-read by the way), “if you win the morning, you win the day!”.

Those who know me, know that I run on an energy-overload. For me, the morning is then an important way to embrace the calm before the (energy) storm. For the past five months I have developed a morning routine and actions. These have influenced my morning mood and kickstart my day into gear.

My morning routine…

Once up, first step is to make our bed (no joke this is the most underrated habit and it’s a rewarding one). I then make my way to the kitchen to drink a glass of water. I find this wakes me up and gets the body into motion.

The next 30 mins are where the magic happens…

Make a smoothie. Ingredients: 2x scoops of NCN Whey Protein (best value and results) / Packet of ProperSnacks mixed nuts (an awesome South African monthly subscription service with a variety of nut packs containing all the right stuff; macadamia oil; water; shot of Nespresso (Arpeggio), all scrambled in a Nutri Bullet – I find this method of breakfast the most efficient as its easy to make and an all-in-one. Backup plan: A cappucino and a croissant.

Scan the Web and Twittersphere for the latest news or article(s). Sport, tech and our cnandco.com blog are favorites – this gets the mind ready, it also helps with cross-linking ideas and opportunities that may come up in the day. One of my go to humor is Omar Momani’s weekly cartoon’s on GOAL.com portraying the latest hit news in the football word (like this one here on the right). 

I follow this up with 10 minutes of scanning my emails and setting goals for the day.

Before getting dressed I try to squeeze 30 push and sit ups in – not always consistent with this one.

That’s my morning and how I like to win it. Do you have any special morning routines? Or are you the kind of get up and go in 10 mins person? Either way, buon giorno (have a great day in Italian).

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Here are some of my CN&CO team’s morning routines/habits (incase you were wondering)

Neo. Wake up, say a prayer, check my WhatsApp to see who misses me and then enjoy a bowl of Special K.

Carel. Wakes up, goes to the bathroom, drinks water, gets changed into his gym clothes and is off to the gym by no later than 5.30AM. He must know what his schedule is for the day to come.

Rob. Doesn’t have one… He is either out the door in ten minutes or uses the confines of his home to get to the day’s work for a few hours before venturing out. A glass of water first thing is a go-to and breakfast usually comprises of bacon and eggs (if it is available) or a banana, peanut butter and oats smoothie.

Kurt. First thing he does is check his phone to see if there no missed calls or emergencies. He follows this up by browsing the business day news and social media (keeping up-to-date with the world). Coffee or a baby spinach, banana and almond smoothie is his go-to for morning fuel.