Chances are, there are certain things you do every morning when you get up. Whether it’s drinking a cup of coffee, feeding the cat, or hitting the gym, these little rituals are what jumpstart you. To get your creative juices flowing and ready for the workday whether you’re looking for a new way to spice up the steps in the piece you’re rehearsing or a new way to approach a solution with a client, it can be wonderfully grounding to apply some structure in your life.
This structure can take many forms, and one of them is that of the daily routine, or daily ritual (the credit for this inspiration goes to Twyla Tharp, again!). For example, a colleague of mine gets up at 5:30 every morning and swims for 45 minutes, after which he sits down and writes in his online journal. It’s his way of getting in his exercise and clearing his mind, all before he gets to the office.
Establishing a daily ritual can be especially important when traveling. We work in increasingly global organizations, and sometimes we’re asked to travel to collaborate directly with our colleagues and partners in other parts of the world. Perhaps you’re lucky enough to be touring with your performing arts organization or as a solo artist. Being away from home can be stressful enough as it is, much less having to shoulder the responsibilities of preparing presentations for a meeting, getting bloated limbs to cooperate in rehearsal, and being your most productive when you’re fatigued and jet-lagged.
Figuring out your daily routine and sticking to it can give you the right rhythm to your days on the road. When the environment is different and life presents greater uncertainties, your daily routine, if adhered to, can give you the psychological comfort of having at least one thing you have control over.
During the past year I traveled to Beijing very frequently for my office job and spent several weeks at a time there. Even though I became familiar with the area, being away from family and the familiar comforts of home (read: dance class, my piano) inevitably took a toll. After a bit of experimentation, I figured out what I needed to do. I got up every morning at 6:00 to do a full ballet barre and some center work, then headed to the office. After work, no matter how tired I was, I exercised for at least another 30 minutes to sweat and engage my body after mostly sitting all day. Then came my favorite part: the hot shower, then sitting in bed with my journal listening to music. Sleep.
After I established this daily ritual, my energy levels improved and I felt that I’d finally added my own personal stamp to my life abroad.
Of course, this can apply equally well to life without travel. Life throws us surprises of all kinds, and it can be overwhelming to deal with them - work, family, friends, health. But, if you have your tried and true daily ritual to return to, it can help remind you that you do have control over your life.
Even if you wake up and wonder how you’re going to drag yourself out of bed and face your inbox at the office or engage your aching muscles at the dance studio, you know you’ll feel better after you’ve gone through your daily ritual. You’ll be that much more ready to face your day and do what you need to do. Who knows, maybe you’ll even exceed your own expectations!
Do you have a daily ritual that works for you? Share a Comment; I’d love to hear from you!
This structure can take many forms, and one of them is that of the daily routine, or daily ritual (the credit for this inspiration goes to Twyla Tharp, again!). For example, a colleague of mine gets up at 5:30 every morning and swims for 45 minutes, after which he sits down and writes in his online journal. It’s his way of getting in his exercise and clearing his mind, all before he gets to the office.
Establishing a daily ritual can be especially important when traveling. We work in increasingly global organizations, and sometimes we’re asked to travel to collaborate directly with our colleagues and partners in other parts of the world. Perhaps you’re lucky enough to be touring with your performing arts organization or as a solo artist. Being away from home can be stressful enough as it is, much less having to shoulder the responsibilities of preparing presentations for a meeting, getting bloated limbs to cooperate in rehearsal, and being your most productive when you’re fatigued and jet-lagged.
Figuring out your daily routine and sticking to it can give you the right rhythm to your days on the road. When the environment is different and life presents greater uncertainties, your daily routine, if adhered to, can give you the psychological comfort of having at least one thing you have control over.
During the past year I traveled to Beijing very frequently for my office job and spent several weeks at a time there. Even though I became familiar with the area, being away from family and the familiar comforts of home (read: dance class, my piano) inevitably took a toll. After a bit of experimentation, I figured out what I needed to do. I got up every morning at 6:00 to do a full ballet barre and some center work, then headed to the office. After work, no matter how tired I was, I exercised for at least another 30 minutes to sweat and engage my body after mostly sitting all day. Then came my favorite part: the hot shower, then sitting in bed with my journal listening to music. Sleep.
After I established this daily ritual, my energy levels improved and I felt that I’d finally added my own personal stamp to my life abroad.
Of course, this can apply equally well to life without travel. Life throws us surprises of all kinds, and it can be overwhelming to deal with them - work, family, friends, health. But, if you have your tried and true daily ritual to return to, it can help remind you that you do have control over your life.
Even if you wake up and wonder how you’re going to drag yourself out of bed and face your inbox at the office or engage your aching muscles at the dance studio, you know you’ll feel better after you’ve gone through your daily ritual. You’ll be that much more ready to face your day and do what you need to do. Who knows, maybe you’ll even exceed your own expectations!
Do you have a daily ritual that works for you? Share a Comment; I’d love to hear from you!
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