Habit 3: Yes and..... (no video)

Action Steps

Get out your “Yes, And… Start Your Day Right” Worksheet. Circle the one you want to habit hack.
Once you’ve circled one, how does your mind object? Do you get any “Yes, buts” in your mind? Example, “Yes, I’d like to have time to poop in the morning, but… I never have to go then.”
Turn your “Yes, but” into a “Yes, and!”. Example: Yes, I’d like to have time to poop in the morning. I’ll start by drinking my hot water and sitting on the squatty potty for a few minutes to train my body to the habit. Even if nothing comes out, I’m building time to poop into my morning.
Lesson
“Yes, and” is a rule of improvisational comedy that requires members of a troop to say “yes” to whatever invitation they have been given, and to add to the building narrative. “Yes, and” is the opposite of “No, but.” The rule is similar to a yogic principle of seeing the Shri or recognizing the good, the true, or the beautiful in any given situation.

As you read through the habits, the voice in your head will naturally resist some of the habit changes. The voice may say, “No, but I can’t do that. I can’t go to bed any earlier, I have so much that needs to get done.” That is classic “No, but.”

See if you can turn your “No, buts” into “Yes, ands.” “Yes, getting more sleep sounds great. And I can probably go to bed 5 minutes earlier this week.” For those responsible for children, teach them about “No, buts” and “Yes, ands.” You can make it a game with yourself and those with whom your habits intertwine.

Yes.
Hydrate to flush your food channel.
Start the day with up to a quart of room temperature to hot water. This water should stimulate your bowels to empty completely. If it’s cold, drink the water as hot as tea. Add a fresh squeeze of lemon if desired. Starting the day deeply hydrated gives you a leg up on stress, fatigue, and the typical bug or virus circulating in town.

Plug into deep space, deep time right away.
Most of us have a lot going on these days. This is unlikely to change. If you’re always going to have a lot going on, or too much to do, it’s important to treat your early mornings as sacred time. Take care of your basic body needs: hydration, elimination, movement, and fuel before you tend to everything else that is on your plate.

Take time to poop.
Before your day gets ahead of you, take time to sit on the pot. Put a short stool or squatty potty under your feet to create the natural and optimal position for great elimination.

Move your body.
It’s crucial for your energy level for the whole day that you move prana, or breath through your body first thing. If you haven’t pooped yet — that is okay. Move for 20 minutes. Sun salutations, walking, cycling, rebounding… whatever it is… move for 20 minutes.

…and
Put your body before your mind.
Many people start the day with the radio, the news, or email. In this day and age we have enough access to cognitive information. Instead, start the day by informing your body with prana, or moving breath. You’ll have more energy all day and make better choices in diet and lifestyle.

Eat a lighter breakfast.
When our ancestors worked outside on a farm all day, eating a big, heavy breakfast was helpful for having enough stamina. If your day is more sedentary, make sure not to weigh yourself down with bread, meat or dairy. Instead, choose light cooked grains, like oatmeal, or a big green smoothie.

Eat Green.
When you get hungry, put a bunch of great plants, fruit, and water in a blender and press go. Start your day with raw, fresh nutrients like a celery grapefruit smoothie or an apple kale lemon smoothie. Starting your day with chlorophyll brings oxygen deeply into your blood and awakens your mind.
Yes... and... start your day right
M
Yes!
Hydrate to flush your
food channel.
Start the day with up to a quart of room
temperature to hot water. This water should
stimulate your bowels to empty completely. If it's
cold, drink the water as hot as tea. Add a fresh
squeeze of lemon if desired. Starting the day
deeply hydrated gives you a leg up on stress,
fatigue and the typical bug or virus circulating in
town,
...and
Put your body before
your mind.
Many people start the day with the radio, the news, or email. In
this day and age we have enough access to cognitive
information. Instead, start the day by informing your body with
prana, or moving breathe. You'll have more energy all day and
make better choices in diet and lifestyle.
Plug into deep space, deep time
right away.
Most of us have a lot going on these days. This is
unlikely to change. If you're always going to have
a lot going on, or too much to do, it's important to
treat your early mornings as sacred time. Take
care of your basic body needs: hydration,
elimination, movement, and fuel before you tend
to everything else that is on your plate.
Take time to poop.
Before your day gets ahead of you, take time to sit
on the pot. Put a short stool or squatty potty
under your feet to create the natural and optimal
position for great elimination.
Eat a lighter breakfast.
When our ancestors worked outside on a farm all
day, eating a big, heavy breakfast was helpful for
having enough stamina. If your day is more
sedentary, make sure not to weigh yourself down
with bread, meat or dairy. Instead, choose light
cooked grains, like oatmeal, or a big green
smoothie.
Eat Green.
When you get hungry, put a bunch of great plants,
fruit, and water in a blender and press go. Start
your day with raw, fresh nutrients like a celery
grapefruit smoothie or an apple kale lemon
smoothie. Starting your day with chlorophyll
brings oxygen deeply into your blood and
awakens your
Move your body.
It's crucial for your energy level for the whole day
that you move prana, or breath through your body
first thing. If you haven't pooped yet - that is
okay. Move for 20 minutes. Sun salutations,
walking, cycling, rebounding... whatever it is..
move for 20 minutes.