Nathan’s Daily Practices

Here’s what I strive to do every day – these are the practices that support me on all levels (mentally, physically, and spiritually). They allow me to live my most awesome days, and are not tied to external results or circumstances.

I did not start all of these at the same time; some practices have been going for years, others are new. It’s taken quite a while to get to this point, and the process is still evolving.

Whatever the stage, there’s always something to work on and discover.

 

AM Routine

Typically takes about 2.5-3 hours.

Tongue Scraper: first shown to me by my buddy Zander on Kauai, this is absolutely the first thing I do when waking up. I wonder how I ever lived without it!

Morning Creativity Practice: I picked this up from Dr. Eric Maisel’s course “Your Best Life in the Arts” with the en*theos Academy. Essentially, you get up an hour early before you do ANYTHING else + spend an hour working on creative projects. No emails, no marketing, no surfing. This has been a very cool time!

1 glass of water: usually during my creativity hour

Exercise to promote and sustain mobility, flexibility and overall vitality – 20-30 minutes of:

  • Yoga
  • Tai Chi
  • Balance poses
  • Energization exercises
  • Hip exercises
  • or Pull-ups

1 glass of water

Meditation – 30 minutes (ideal): using my Blissitations tracks (which are 15 or 30 min. in length), and also silent meditation on occasion. 

Truths: my list of affirmations/declarations – spoken aloud as many times as I feel I need until I actually hear each one. :-)

Journal:

  • My Highest Goal for the day
  • The 4 parts of my Path
  • My Ideal Qualities in a Partner (and thus, what I need to cultivate in myself)
  • My top 5 Signature Strengths (as indicated by the VIA Survey of Character Strengths – take it for free)
  • My top 5 Zones of Genius (as brainstormed by me)
  • My top 5 Gratitudes for the day
  • My Fundy’s (what I’m committed to doing each day)

Nutrition: very often, my first meal is a green/fruit smoothie! Ingredients can include…

  • Banana
  • Spinach
  • Berries (Straw, Blue, Black, Rasp)
  • Broccoli
  • Apple
  • Pear
  • Pineapple
  • Carrot
  • Nuts (Almond, Brazil)
  • Cinnamon
  • Protein Powder

 

PM Routine

Typically takes about 15 minutes.

Brush teeth: I spend 2-3 minutes, using an all-natural toothpaste, usually plant-based

Floss: it took me almost 25 years to develop this daily habit, and I have the theatre to thank: during my 9-week gig in Seattle, I got into the habit of flossing before every show (40!), so it was pretty ingrained after that. :-)

Clean Contacts: ideal is to wear my contacts for 8 hours or less each day. I use a muli-purpose solution and replace the plastic carrying case every 3 months (ideal).

Drink of water: I heard that people who can’t hear alarms drink water before going to bed to ensure they wake up in the morning. Not sure where I picked this one up, but I do feel a little thirsty right before bed, so figured I’d honor that!

 

Curious how I’m doing?

Check out my Monthly Practice Reports for all the details + more!