Life-Hacking 101: Mornings

I've got to give credit to my good buddy John Kile on BP for mentioning this term "Life-Hacking" to me a couple of weeks back. He was referring to Timothy Ferris (4-Hour Work Week) in a conversation where we were discussing how to systemize our lives.

After listening to all of the BP Podcasts (2+ times) and educating myself in Real Estate Investing I've discovered that this is one of the most valuable skills you can have and improve upon, Life-Hacking.

The skill set you develop to systematize every aspect of your life to improve everything you do. This can range from getting ready for work in the morning to removing excess steps in manufacturing to increase efficiency in production (Toyota Model).

Here are some things I am currently involved with:

• Attaining my Realtor License (9 weeks, Tue & Thu 6-9pm)
• LifeGroup (Monday 7-9pm)
• VP of Public Relations @ Local Toastmasters (Thu 12-1pm)
• Code and Coffee (Thu 7:30-8:30)
• Tech Meetups (Twice a Month)
• Attending Real Estate Investing Meetups (Twice a Month)
• Organizing our BiggerPockets MeetUp (Once a Month)
• Church on Sundays
• www.JenningsHP.com (Wholesaling Business)
• www.REILdeals.com (REI Tech Startup)
• Work Full-Time (8am-5pm+)
• And I'm Married to a beautiful woman who actually wants spend time with me... (No Kids, yet)

"The affairs of life embrace a multitude of interests, and he who reasons in any one of them, without consulting the rest, is a visionary unsuited to control the business of the world." James Fenimore Cooper

I like to stay busy, but have intense ADD and SSS (Shiny Squirrel Syndrome, it's a hybrid between the shiny object and dog squirrel syndrome). It's a blessing and a curse...

Here are a few of things I have to be mindful of to "control" my life:

1. Spend time with God
2. Spend time with my Wife
3. Take care of Myself
4. Take care of *Business without upsetting either of the two listed above... or neglecting my health

*"Define your major definite purpose" Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill (I'll talk more about this in a later post)

There has to be a balance.

This is where Life-Hacking really comes into play.

To kick this series of blog posts off, here are a few things I'm currently doing each morning.

4:30-5:00am Wake Up > Drink a Protein Shake > Eat a packet of "Weight Control" Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal > Get ready to walk out the door or up and down the stairs for exercise

• I do my best to be in bed by 9pm
• Generally I will down a GungHo "Ninja-Like FOCUS", eat my Adderall, or drink down a premade pre-workout cocktail (non-alcoholic! ha) about 30m before I get out of bed to kick me into gear (consult your physician before doing so!)
• I immediately will turn my phone on and read a book (NOT FACEBOOK) for ~3-5m to engage my mind. It helps me wake up.

Work-Out: I will walk on the treadmill or up and down the stairs for ~15-20m while reading my YouVersion Bible App on the iPad/Phone

• At the Gym: hit it hard! I'm doing high reps, slower repetitions, and drop sets (each set drop the weight and max out)
• Make the most out of the time you have at the gym...
  • I may be listening to personal development audio or REI podcasts during this time (It's not as bad as you would think) and while driving to and from the gym
    • iPad/iPhone Audio USE THE 1.5x or 2.0x SPEED! It's wonderful =)

6:10am-7:00am Cook up some eggs and Smart Sausage + Salsa / Tomatoes / Put them on a sandwich with tomato lettuce and maybe a little light mayo

• I will make enough for my wife Jena
• I put coffee on for her as well
• Let out the dog
• Feed the cat and dog
• Empty the litter box
• Take out the trash
• And Clean the dishes
• (Each doesn't necessarily happen everyday)

Most of the list above is done while the food is cooking.

I pray and thank God for the day, my Life, and for the people I know could use a prayer. While I eat I DO NOT watch TV. I bought an OtterBox iPad stand which allows me to eat and read at the same time.

• Apple App Store: Download "Acceleread" I went from 239wpm to 450wpm in two weeks and I do my training usually when I am eating and/or as soon as I wake up

7:00-7:45am Get cleaned up and head to work!

7:45-8:05am I'm in the car

• Plug my headphones in and listen to Personal Development or REI Podcasts
• I sometimes plan my ToDo for the day during the car ride

REVIEW: Things to note

• Eliminated snoooooooozing and wasting time watching TV minutia
• I read ~30m (This translates into a book every two weeks when the average person reads less than one book a year)
  • Spent some time with the Big Guy upstairs and learning more about Him
• I listened to ~15-45m of Educational Audio (Avg 7hrs per Audio Book)
• I showed my wife I was thinking of Her
• I took care of myself
• And started my day off to a GREAT Start

Next post I talk a bit about what I'm doing currently to manage my business ventures, professional life, and the struggles I'm having with "defining my major definite purpose".

Feel free to list some of the things you do to get things going in the morning below!