Spring Renewal: Harnessing Ancient Wisdom for Modern Success
TLDR:
Spring is the time for Renewal & Growth
Starting your day with Mindfulness and presence is proven to enhance productivity
Sleep is more important than you know and having an evening ritual is necessary for high-achieving men
Move it! Motion creates E-motion
Boundaries are necessary and need to be established
Reflection = Learning = Results
IT STARTS WITH A DESIRE
In December 2023, I embarked on a journey from the United States to Peru with one simple yet profound goal - to immerse myself in a culture steeped in wisdom and mystery that had captivated my childhood imagination after seeing Macchu Picchu in a National Geographic magazine.
Having spent the last three months living in Peru, surrounded by its rich cultural tapestry and ancient traditions, I have gained a deep appreciation for the timeless wisdom woven into the fabric of its history. Reflecting on these experiences, high in the Andes Mountains, I have discovered invaluable insights that resonate with me that I believe hold the potential to enrich our lives and businesses as high-achieving men.
As we transition into the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere this March — a time symbolizing renewal and growth—I am inspired to share the profound teachings of the Pre-Incan civilizations that have been passed down for hundreds of years and how these concepts can apply to all of us today.
By embracing these ancient concepts, we can prepare ourselves for a season of transformation, rejuvenation, and growth. Just as nature sheds its winter cloak and blooms afresh, we too can seize this opportunity to shed our past mistakes, recalibrate our habits, nurture our well-being, and optimize our routines for enhanced productivity and fulfillment.
Here are 5 Ideas from the Incans that can empower you to navigate this Spring with purpose and intention.
Ancient Wisdom for Modern Success: 5 Productivity Hacks from the Incans
1. Start with Mindful Mornings:
The Incas, known for their deep spiritual connection to nature, would often begin their days with rituals that honored the earth or “Pachamama” to set a harmonious tone for the day ahead. By greeting the sunrise with silence, reflection, and gratitude, they sought to align themselves with the natural rhythms of the world.
As high-performing individuals today, many men wake up straight to looking at their phone in the morning - immediately launching us into “problem-solving mode.” Instead try adopting a new practice by dedicating as little as 5-10 minutes each morning to center ourselves, focus on our breath, thank existence for another day, and set positive intentions before venturing out into the world. This little trick creates a mindful start and can help us approach our work with clarity and purpose, fostering a sense of calm amidst the demands of modern life.
The Proof:
According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, researchers found that individuals who engaged in mindfulness practices at the start of their day experienced a significant improvement in cognitive performance, reduced stress levels, and enhanced overall well-being compared to those who did not practice mindfulness. This study provides evidence that mindfully starting your day can indeed have measurable results in performance, mental state, and well-being.
If you’re having trouble finding time and space to do this you may want to focus on step 2.
2. Prioritize Sleep Hygiene:
The Incas understood the importance of rest and rejuvenation for overall well-being. In their society, sleep was considered sacred, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule was a key aspect of their daily routines. They would wind down each evening with calming rituals, such as storytelling or quiet reflection under the starlit sky.
To emulate this wisdom, we can prioritize our sleep hygiene by creating a bedtime ritual that signals to our bodies it's time to unwind. By disconnecting from screens, dimming lights, reducing or turning off electromagnetic frequency-based devices in our homes, and engaging in relaxing activities like reading or gentle stretching before bed, we can ensure quality rest and support cognitive function for optimal performance in our businesses.
The Proof::
A study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that individuals who engaged in a consistent sleep ritual before bedtime, such as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques, experienced improved sleep quality and duration. Additionally, research published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests that reducing exposure to technology before bedtime, particularly screens emitting blue light like smartphones and laptops can enhance sleep quality by promoting the natural production of melatonin, a hormone essential for regulating the sleep-wake cycle. These findings support the notion that having a sleep ritual and minimizing technology usage before sleep can lead to higher-quality sleep, ultimately boosting productivity and overall well-being.
3. Incorporate Movement Breaks:
The Incas were known for their physical prowess and connection to the land. Peru holds some of the world’s most mind-blowing megalithic architecture. Historians say Incas would intersperse their daily activities with short breaks for movement or stretching to invigorate their bodies and minds. By incorporating these movement breaks, they maintained high energy levels and sharp focus throughout the day even at nose-bleed altitudes.
As high-performing individuals, we can follow their example by setting a timer to remind ourselves to stand up, stretch, or take a short walk every hour during our workday. Instead of obsessing over a problem or project, taking brief pauses and “moving the blood” can re-energize us and enhance our concentration, leading to increased productivity and well-being.
The Proof:
One study that supports the benefits of incorporating regular movement breaks into the workday for high-performing individuals is research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The study found that taking brief movement breaks, such as standing up, stretching, or walking for a few minutes every hour, can help re-energize individuals, improve concentration, and enhance productivity. This practice was shown to have a positive impact on both well-being and performance, highlighting the importance of incorporating physical activity into the work routine for optimal results.
4. Establish Boundaries:
In Incan society, boundaries were essential for maintaining harmony and balance. They understood the importance of setting clear distinctions between work and personal time to protect their well-being and nurture relationships.
As modern entrepreneurial men, we can learn greatly from this principle by establishing boundaries around our work hours and personal time. By designating specific times for work-related tasks and non-work activities, we can maintain a healthy work-life balance and prioritize self-care. This practice allows us to recharge and avoid burnout, ensuring not only sustainable success in our businesses but also honoring our relationships and commitments in our personal environment.
The Proof:
A study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology investigated the impact of work-life balance on well-being and job performance among entrepreneurs. The findings revealed that entrepreneurs who established clear boundaries between work and personal life reported higher levels of job satisfaction, reduced stress, and increased productivity compared to those who blurred the lines between work and personal time.
Bonus Action Item: To implement this principle effectively, modern entrepreneurial men can set specific work hours and non-work hours. An actionable step is to create a daily schedule that includes designated blocks of time for work-related tasks and personal activities. By adhering to this schedule and respecting the boundaries set, entrepreneurs can prioritize self-care, recharge effectively, and maintain a healthy work-life balance to sustain success in their businesses while nurturing relationships and commitments in their environment.
5. Reflect and Adjust:
The Incas believed in the power of introspection and adaptation as pathways to growth and prosperity. From daily regard to nature to the ancient Ayahuasca ritual, the indigenous people of Peru would regularly reflect on their actions, learn from past experiences, and make adjustments to optimize their strategies for success.
Similarly, as high-performing individuals in the modern world, we can benefit from this practice of Reflection by keeping a daily journal to track our habits, productivity levels, and well-being. By reviewing our entries weekly, we can identify patterns, celebrate successes, and pinpoint areas for improvement. Making small adjustments based on these reflections allows us to optimize our routines for growth, productivity, and overall well-being.
The Proof:
According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, researchers found that individuals who engaged in regular reflection as part of their learning process showed a 23% improvement in learning outcomes compared to those who did not reflect. This statistic highlights the importance of reflection in learning and its significant impact on enhancing learning outcomes and overall performance.
WRAP UP
If there’s one thing that I found interesting visiting ancient sights in the desert, mountains, and lakes of Peru is that we humans today are not necessarily “smarter” or more “advanced” than these ancient peoples. And that some practices are timeless regardless of where or when in the world. We should not be so quick to judge and realize that there is a line between being modern and being wise. That some things have stood the test of time because they work. And there’s much we can learn from our past.
By integrating these ancient Incan principles into our daily lives and businesses, we can cultivate balance, avoid burnout, and enhance our overall well-being as high-performing individuals. Embracing these actionable strategies rooted in timeless wisdom can empower us to achieve peak performance and success in all aspects of our lives this spring in March 2024.
