Optimizing Morning Routines for Enhanced Productivity and Discipline

Prioritizing important tasks in the morning boosts productivity and discipline for greater success.

### The Importance of Prioritizing Morning Routines for Productivity
* ⏰ Many individuals tend to follow advice from prominent figures without critically assessing its relevance to their lives, leading to **wasted time on less important activities**.
* 🧠 It's essential to prioritize effectively; for instance, focusing on **studies and health** can significantly enhance **productivity and efficiency**.
* 🚿 A personal morning routine, such as **waking up early and engaging in personal hygiene** followed by immediate work, can lead to **accomplishing important tasks quickly**.
* 📅 The concept of productivity is about **maximizing output within a specific timeframe**, and discipline plays a **crucial role in achieving this**.
* 💪 Saying no to distractions and unimportant tasks is vital; it allows you to **concentrate on your goals** without being sidetracked by others' expectations.
* 📖 Establishing a clear goal for your morning routine can help you **avoid unnecessary distractions** and focus on **what truly matters**.
* 🔥 Remember, discipline is key; **pushing through discomfort and sticking to your routine** will ultimately lead to a **more productive and fulfilling life**.
* 🌅 In conclusion, optimizing your morning habits by prioritizing **essential tasks** can help you achieve more and avoid the pitfalls of **procrastination and distraction**.

In this video, I will talk about my morning habits, which have helped me achieve some accomplishments and complete challenging tasks in my life. I hope that from this, you will be able to gather and adopt the positive aspects of my habits and apply them to your own life to increase your productivity and efficiency in the way you work. 

Okay, first, I want to discuss the definition. Actually, hearing the definition might seem a bit extreme, right? So, I want to explain what morning habits are. They refer to the routines you engage in right after you wake up. For example, brushing your teeth, washing your face, and personal hygiene—these activities constitute morning habits. In fact, I came across this concept and learned it from...

The foreign videos, in fact, the Vietnamese videos about these issues, I never watch. The first person who told me about this was Mr. Ham. Generally, including Mr. Ham, I see that people now tend to, especially foreigners in Vietnam, I don’t know, but such people often have very complex morning habits nowadays. There are many things, and Mr. Andrew Huberman has also suggested many things. Sometimes this becomes a basis for people to think, Oh, I need to do this or that. For example, you might have heard about waking up early, right? Then taking a cold shower or soaking yourself.

Going into cold water, then stepping outside to walk on the grass while looking at the sunlight for 20 to 30 minutes. Even when it rains, I still go out to admire the sun. After that, I write in my diary about important things, memorable experiences, or things I am grateful for. Then I stand in front of the mirror and say, Oh, I am like this, I am like that, while noticing the red light. Sometimes I even do some steam inhalation. Activities like these are part of a morning routine that many people have heard about, right? To be honest, I used to have a habit that took up a lot of my time. Let me explain more specifically: since the beginning of my journey of self-improvement, which in English is called self-improvement, it has been quite a journey.

Sáng hơn so với từ cải thiện phát triển bản thân, có lẽ là khoảng đầu năm ngoái và nó kéo dài cho đến khoảng đầu năm nay, tháng Hai, tháng Ba gì đấy. Từ đấy cho đến khoảng tháng Ba đầu năm nay, tôi đã làm rất nhiều thứ. Đặc biệt vào buổi sáng, tôi ngủ dậy. Đương nhiên, điều đó cũng có điều tốt, đó là nó giúp tôi dậy sớm. Tôi hiểu được tầm quan trọng của việc dậy sớm để có thêm thời gian làm những việc bổ sung, những việc tự dưng thêm vào cuộc sống của mình. Thế nên, tôi cố gắng dậy sớm. Cái đợt đấy, tôi nhớ là tôi dậy không phải lúc 5:00 như bây giờ, mà dậy khoảng 6 giờ, rồi dần dần là 5:30. Khi mà dậy 5:30 thì khá là tự hào về bản thân. Nhìn chung là vậy. Xong rồi đánh răng, rửa mặt, vệ sinh cá nhân.

Especially last winter, I discovered the cold shower routine. I would wake up at 5:30 AM during the winter, go into the bathroom, and turn on the cold water for about 10 seconds. I didn’t want to freeze; you know how winter in Hanoi is, especially in the early morning. Fortunately, I’m still alive to tell the tale. That was one of the first habits I developed: after taking a cold shower, I would get dressed, brush my teeth, wash my face, and take care of my personal hygiene. Then I would meditate; I managed to meditate for about 20 minutes during that time, and I was quite good at it. After that...

When I meditate, I start by taking out my notebook to write down three things I am grateful for. Typically, it’s about three to five things, but usually, I stick to three. At first, I wrote in English, and gradually I switched to French as I became more accustomed to using it. During that time, I often suffered from injuries, particularly in my wrist, which was quite painful, as well as my ankle and the top of my foot. I had been playing football incorrectly, which led to these injuries. My mother often advised me to really feel and rub my hands together to generate energy and then transfer that energy to the painful areas. Honestly, it didn’t really heal, but I did this for about five minutes every day. Those injuries healed after I took a break from training, as I mentioned in the video to prevent further issues.

To prevent injuries or to treat them, the most effective method, in my opinion, is to take a break from training. You should rest and consider massage therapy. There was a time when my brother introduced me to the Adonis workout, which he insisted had to be done in the morning. He had specific exercises that I had to follow. I tried to keep up with it, but during that time, my arms were still in pain, so I could only manage a couple of sessions. I remember I could only train about two or three times because it hurt so much. Those mornings were quite challenging. If I think about it now, it was somewhat optimal, but for me, it took a lot of time. After those days, I felt like I couldn't accomplish anything important.

There will often be excuses from ordinary people out there. Oh, I don't have time. Oh, I'm so tired right now. Clearly, in the morning, doing too many things, completing one task, and suddenly jumping to another can be very exhausting, especially mentally; physically, it can be very tiring as well. I think that in the current situation, people are gradually packing too many activities into their mornings, developing too many habits in the morning. Everyone keeps telling each other, You need to do this, You need to do that, to optimize as much as possible. Then, they drink coffee and energy drinks in the morning without eating anything, which can lead to stomach pain. Fasting can be beneficial, but it should be done reasonably, as it is a stimulant and has acidity.

I haven't eaten anything yet, and after drinking, I think, Oh, to be healthy and alert. What the hell is that? This is my thought process. I feel that this is my personal logic; these are the morning habits that I used to have, and I believe that many people are still doing this in their lives. So, what are my current habits? I will share my current routine: I wake up at 5:00, do my personal hygiene, brush my teeth, wash my face, and after using the bathroom, I put everything away. Then I go to my computer desk, stand up, turn on the computer, and get to work. I don't engage in those other activities anymore; I don't spend 20 minutes meditating. I just dive right into my tasks. It can be quite intense, right? Especially for those who have never tried this method, they might think, Wow, this guy is doing something worthwhile.

Alright, this person swears that his mental health is very stable. Let me explain it to you right now. First of all, I want to talk about the term productivity and what it means in terms of effectiveness. The word productivity in English is derived from product, which partially helps us think about our output, the things we achieve in a certain amount of time. For example, in one hour, you might typically complete three tasks. This is just a hypothetical scenario. Try to focus on one or two tasks and complete them. Suppose in one hour you finish three tasks, but after a while of training and practicing, suddenly all the inner strength within you increases, and your level of concentration...

Your productivity increases as your work methods become more effective. You have a better way of organizing tasks, and when your health is good, it naturally leads to completing five tasks in just one hour. That is what productivity is about; it's the amount of work you accomplish within a certain time frame. The more you strive for it, the more productive you become. This term is also somewhat related to optimization and efficiency. 

Now, let’s analyze my morning routine and its effectiveness. Firstly, regarding priorities, to have an effective morning routine for yourself or for me, we must prioritize. Prioritization can vary from person to person, but...

In my opinion, especially for you, if you are currently at my level, we should prioritize certain things together. The first priority should be to complete our studies. I think that should be the most important thing. Next, we need to focus on our health, particularly our physical health and fitness. After that, we should consider family; it's important to spend some time doing various things and talking with them. Of course, each person will have different priorities because it depends on their individual goals. For example, some people out there focus on mental health, which is why they do all those things to improve their mental well-being. That's perfectly fine if that is their real goal.

They listen to what others say, but they don't think deeply about whether they really need it. They hear prominent figures like Andrew Huberman talk, and they think, Well, if they say it, it must be true. Of course, it might be true, but they are doing things that are not good for themselves. They are wasting their time on things that are less important. In fact, they have already wasted time, and I can relate to them in feeling that way. There were many occasions when I was following morning habits that I felt disappointed in myself because I didn't have time to do more important things. You have to...

I understand that during that time, I even refused to call it a group meeting. Of course, they held the meetings too late, usually at 10 PM or even 11 PM. But now, I still have to attend those meetings because that's the only time they set. I have to accept it, and I'm also the leader, so I don't know what to do. My goal is to complete my studies, so I have to do everything that is required of me. And that includes attending these late group meetings. If you have the goal of completing your studies like I mentioned, or if your goal is to finish work as quickly as possible like mine, then that should be your top priority. Since it is the top priority, as soon as you wake up, you need to act on it immediately because it is the most important thing. Give it a try.

Think about it, it’s because it’s the most important. Suppose you finish it and you no longer have any time left. Suddenly, you have to go to a funeral, or you need to help someone who is in urgent need, for example, and suddenly your day is gone. At least you will feel, “Ah, today I still deserve my quality sleep because I have completed the most important task.” That relates to the idea of prioritization. For instance, I finish all my studies; that’s why when I wake up, I take care of my personal hygiene, and I study right away to complete my tasks related to it, except for the group work that requires meetings and so on. Those can be done later when the time comes, right? But even after all those issues, suddenly I have to go to sleep, but I...

I no longer have the ability or opportunity to accomplish it that day, but I still feel that I have completed the most important task, so there's no need to overthink it. Of course, there are other things that cannot be disregarded. For example, I can't say, Oh, I've studied too much, so I'll skip training today. That can't happen. I can't say I don't have time to go to the gym; I can still work out at home. For instance, if I suddenly decide to do push-ups while waiting, that's not an excuse or a complaint. I take full responsibility for myself, and everything related to me is my responsibility. So if you don't work out today, that's your responsibility; it's your fault, so don't blame others. Therefore, it’s important to have clear priorities.

You must have a clear goal; from that goal, you can deduce what actions need to be taken to achieve it. That is the important part, and it must be clearly defined. In my opinion, you should set the goal of completing the most important task, which specifically refers to your studies and work, rather than your mental health—unless your mental state is so deteriorated that you feel suicidal or constantly negative. However, I believe that in cases of negativity, you should just do what is necessary, and you will naturally pull yourself out of it. Why? Because you will achieve what you need, and at that point, no matter how negative you feel, you will still feel somewhat happy, thinking, I have completed the hardest task of the day; can I really be negative now?

I think that's how it is. Firstly, in terms of priorities, that's the case. Secondly, when you have your priorities set and you complete them as soon as possible right after you wake up, do you know what? You will accomplish many important things. That's productivity, isn't it? Clearly, you have many important tasks completed, not just done, but completed more than on normal days within the same timeframe. That's productivity. When I wake up, except for the days I have to go to school early, I usually wake up around 5:00 AM. I feel a bit sluggish, so I sit for about 5 to 10 minutes to regain my energy before getting up to make my bed, wash my face, and go to the bathroom. After that, I start studying around 5:20 or 5:25.

What is it? I will study from now until 7:30, and then at 7:30, I will have breakfast. After that, I will do laundry, hang up the clothes, soak the rice, and then I will study again. That's all I have to do. If you look at it, these are the things I must do; I don't have time to study from 5:20 to 6:30, then go for coffee, and then have breakfast. What should I do? Go out for beer, for example? Those activities, like going for coffee and drinking beer, have nothing to do with my goals. My goal is not to maintain relationships or to be good at drinking beer. I don't need those things right now. I just need to complete my studies. My priority is like that, so I will do whatever it takes to accomplish it today, at least.

Today, I need to complete tasks related to my studies that have not been clearly defined. Once you understand that, the next thing I need to do is to wake up, take care of my personal hygiene, and handle those important matters. This way, you will definitely accomplish more significant tasks throughout your day compared to just randomly spending time thinking about the things I just mentioned, which were part of my old morning routine or that of others. For instance, meditation alone takes 20 minutes, and if I add up all these activities, it can easily amount to an hour and a half or two hours. For example, if you wake up at 6 AM and spend two hours on these activities, then by 8 AM, what else can you achieve? You have already lost two hours of your day, so at that point, you deserve to be recognized for your efforts.

That's right. I don't have time because I have been busy. It's true. Yes, we shouldn't let it be that way, right? So, we should focus on the important things. The third point, which is similar to the first priority, is that you must know how to say no. I have learned how to say no. That's why my mornings are not related to unimportant things, like I mentioned earlier, such as going for coffee or going out. You need to know how to say no to things that are not important. Not everything can be a yes; you must say yes to your own goals, not to the dreams that others have for you. It's not important if they dream that you will hang out with them or that you will do something for them. You must absolutely say no to that, and after some time, they will keep asking.

This person, you say no. They keep asking you to say no. Gradually, they will form a habit of guessing your answer. This guy will likely stop asking you anymore. So you should feel lucky in that moment because you won't have to spend more time and energy answering things you know will definitely be no again. You need to know how to distinguish what will help increase your chances of achieving what you need most, and what won’t help you achieve your goals. Some things can even diminish your chances. For example, sometimes I look at this person or that person and think, Wow, they're so charming, but I also understand that I can't have a relationship right now like that.

It's complicated, and it takes a lot of time. Waking up and suddenly feeling the need to message someone is just overwhelming. So even though I might naturally have feelings for someone of the opposite sex, I often have to make an effort to actively avoid places or individuals like that in order to minimize the risk of falling into some kind of relationship. This also relates to the ability to say no. It's about stopping yourself from adding more things into your habits or even into your life. Don't add more unnecessary stuff into your pile; those things aren't important. Why would you include them? I think the biggest reason, as I mentioned at the beginning, is that you...

Just listen to what is said every day. It’s optimized to the point that it throws you into the idea that successful people often seem to lack something, while in reality, it’s the opposite. Successful people may lack something that ordinary people have. Do you know what that is? It's distraction. These are tasks that have nothing to do with their goals. This is the only difference: they focus solely on their objectives. They have only three to five goals they concentrate on, grinding away, working hard on those tasks. That’s why they succeed. Basketball players, for instance, only focus on training; they don’t have other jobs. They might go to clubs and hang out, but not excessively. Just listen to Kobe Bryant’s stories; he trained all day long. Where would he find the time to do unrelated tasks?

When it comes to others, it was my uncle who became one of the NBA players that I think is quite great, and we can also call him a legend, right? So, you should learn to say no and yes to yourself. Next, the fourth point is about discipline, which is somewhat similar to saying no. For example, I might say, No, I will go to Italy, and that is the mindset. Okay, maybe some of you who have never tried this will feel like, Oh, how can I get into the mood to work now? or How can I get into the mood to study? That's why I want to add a bunch of things to create a mood for myself so that I can be motivated to work. If you say that, you are really weak, especially mentally. If others can do it, you can do it too. Why do you need all these extra things to get into the right mindset?

Do you know what the perfect moment is? As I often say, it is right now. It is at the very moment when you think about whether you should do something or not; that is the moment. The work you need to do is the very work you are avoiding. It is the task you are procrastinating on, pushing it further behind while replacing it with a pile of distractions in front of it. Do you understand? So instead of wasting a lot of time and energy on these distractions, why not just get to the task that needs to be done? And I’m serious; after you start, okay, if you don’t want to do it, but you still have to, gradually you will begin to do it. I’m telling you, after you’ve started for a short period, at some point, you will naturally feel like you’re gaining momentum.

Inertia is something that can be managed. It will push you to accomplish more things, just like when I started filming this video. Initially, I thought, Oh, I don't know what to say, even though I had a script. The script isn't very detailed; it just outlines the main points. I thought I didn't know what to say, but I figured it was better to start now than to waste 5, 10, or 15 minutes sitting and thinking. I needed to begin right away. Now, it's been 2 or 3 minutes, and it will go on even longer because I still have a few more ideas to share. It's similar to when you go to the gym. You might not want to go, but once you start and warm up, you find yourself in a mindset where you think, I might as well finish this workout since I'm already here.

Finally, you completed it before I really hated running. I was very scared of the running session, but after I told myself to just put on my shoes, I warmed up by walking for 4 minutes, then started running. In the end, it was done, but the most important thing at that moment was that you started. If you keep procrastinating, that task will keep getting postponed and will become bigger and more daunting. The more you push it away, the worse it gets, because it’s something you need to complete. So, why not do it right now? Once you do it now, you will gradually get into a state where you enjoy working. That's how you enter a productive state; that's the way to do it.

To boost my motivation, it's not about drinking coffee and then doing this and that, or meditating to calm my mind before I can work. You don't need those things. I have tried them; I used to be that way. Now, at this moment, I truly wish that the past version of myself had done the things I'm doing now. I don't want to waste time. You don't have time to waste. Spending hours on those unimportant activities is not worth it. Think about what you can achieve. You can accomplish much more important tasks in those hours. Many people are weak like that; they can't focus on what truly matters. They only concentrate on trivial things.

These things are everywhere, and that's why people don't achieve what they want. I just want to say simply that they cannot complete what they need to do. Then they say, Oh, I have little time; I can't do it because of you. That is a lack of awareness. You should tell those who lack awareness not to be like them. Listen to me; you need to work in order to get into a state where you can work, okay? Next, let's talk about discipline. It's simple; the morning routine will help you. When you wake up, take care of your personal hygiene, and start working. Usually, you might say, Oh, I don't want to do that, just like I mentioned earlier. But at that moment, when you still make an effort to work, it will help you develop a stronger sense of discipline.

Becoming tougher and more resilient is important, and discipline is crucial, especially for us men. We need to do the things we have to do, even when we don’t feel like it. In fact, those are the times we need to push ourselves even more to prove to others, as well as to ourselves, that we are disciplined. And that is true; I have shown it through my actions. I don’t want to work out, but I still go to the gym every day. I don’t want to film videos, yet I still create content daily. This is discipline. I’m proving to you what I’m saying: you need to be disciplined. I have been disciplined. Okay, this is the evidence. I don’t want to do this, but I still have a lot to accomplish.

We have to meet again. The meeting is at 10:30 PM, so remember that the morning habits I have been practicing will truly help both you and me. If you apply them, they will improve your discipline, which is very important. Without discipline, do you think you deserve success? Success comes from persistently doing things even when you don’t like them. Remember that everything goes through a phase; initially, you might really enjoy something, but gradually you realize it’s not as good as you thought and there are many issues with it. Eventually, it becomes overwhelming, and people tend to give up. That’s when many people fail; they move on to something else and then repeat the cycle, thinking they like it.

It's not as easy as I thought. I keep sinking back down, but you should be different. When you sink down, just say, I don't like this, but I still have to do it. I still have to do it. I have to be persistent and disciplined. Gradually, you will move towards a step up. It becomes easier because you get used to it; you understand it better, and it feels easier. Over time, you find it easier, and you start to like it more. When you start to like it, it becomes easy for you. Guess what? You achieve what you want. Discipline will help you do that; it is the key. You hear people say that discipline is the key, and that's what it is. Morning habits are the same; they help you with discipline. The final point is that you cannot become...

Being like everyone else, you might expect some positive change, something that sets you apart. However, you cannot adopt the same unimportant morning habits as they do. You hope to be more optimized and productive than they are, and you wish to achieve your goals faster than they do. But that’s not how it works; you will only end up being like them, just an ordinary and weak person. Is that what you want? I’m sure it’s not. So, don’t be like them. Don’t add more unimportant tasks to your morning routine. In conclusion, the best, most optimized, and effective morning habit is to wake up, take care of your personal hygiene, and focus on the work or studies you need to accomplish. Your optimization lies in doing what matters most, not in tackling easier tasks to avoid the harder ones.

It's harder to do because at that moment, you are full of energy. Don't wait until you've completed all the easy tasks and then find yourself weaker and out of time, only to say, Oh, I can't do it. I'm too tired. Don't be like that. Okay? It sounds difficult, right? Yes, it's hard, which is why not many people do it. Not many dare to do it; only you and I dare to do it. So, what do you think? It really is difficult. Welcome to life; that's how it is. Keep trying, okay? I know it's hard. I'm also in a situation that isn't easy, but I'm trying to remind myself through these videos, as well as help you escape the terrible wastefulness of everything.

Thói quen buổi sáng năng suất của sinh viên năm 4

Bach Hoang Do

Morning habits are the routines you engage in right after waking up, such as personal hygiene.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on important tasks rather than trivial activities to increase productivity.

They share their own struggles with complex morning routines and the challenge of maintaining consistency, ultimately encouraging others to keep trying and not waste time.

The author starts their meditation by writing down three things they are grateful for, transitioning from English to French.

They experienced painful injuries from playing football incorrectly, but using their mother's energy transfer technique and taking a break from training ultimately led to healing.

The author emphasizes the importance of prioritizing goals, developing discipline through a morning routine, and being persistent to achieve what one wants.

The Importance of Prioritization and Effective Habits

Many people follow advice from prominent figures without questioning its relevance to their own lives, leading to wasted time on less important tasks.

The key to productivity lies in effective work methods, prioritization, and maintaining good health.

An effective morning routine should focus on completing studies, prioritizing physical health, spending time with family, and developing personal habits like cold showers and meditation.

The Importance of Prioritization and Taking Action

Completing the most important tasks first can provide a sense of accomplishment and justify quality sleep, even when unexpected events arise.

Prioritizing activities that align with personal goals, such as studying, can help eliminate distractions and unnecessary commitments.

Managing inertia by taking immediate action, whether it's starting a task or going to the gym, can lead to greater productivity and a sense of fulfillment.

The Importance of Morning Habits and Discipline

Setting priorities and completing important tasks in the morning can significantly boost productivity.

Waking up early and establishing a consistent routine helps in developing discipline, which is crucial for success.

Taking responsibility for one's actions and not making excuses is essential in achieving goals and maintaining a productive state.

The Importance of Saying No and Staying Focused

Knowing how to say no is crucial for prioritizing personal goals and avoiding unimportant distractions.

A structured morning routine and discipline are key to achieving significant tasks throughout the day.

Productivity is about focusing on one or two tasks and pushing through challenges to build resilience and discipline.

The perfect moment to take action is right now, especially when you're procrastinating.

Instead of getting distracted, focus on the task at hand, and you'll gradually gain momentum.

Establishing a morning routine and practicing discipline can help you make the most of your time and improve yourself.

The Importance of an Effective Morning Routine

Having a unique morning routine is crucial for achieving personal goals and avoiding mediocrity.

The most effective habit is to wake up, take care of personal hygiene, and focus on important work or studies.

Successful people differentiate themselves by eliminating distractions and concentrating on a few key goals, ultimately leading to their success.