DISCLAIMER: DO NOT READ ANYTHING IN BRACKETS OR IN RED TEXT, THAT'S A BIT OUT OF CONTEXT USUALLY MY MIND OFF RAMPING. (SOMETIMES IT'S GENUINE LINKS TO ARTICLES WITH MORE INFO SO READ AND CLICK IT).
Thomas Edison's story has always been very inspiring for me. When working on the light bulb, Edison and his team conducted over 1,000 experiments before they found the right design. People asked him how he stayed motivated through so many failures, and his response was quite profound. He said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work” (Mhmm...okay). His relentless consistency paid off, and he revolutionised the world.
Edison’s approach resonates very well with the Early Morning Protocol (EMP), or rather in my case Exercise, Meditation and Prayer. Like his experiments, the EMP is a daily commitment to balance and progress. Small, intentional actions that might seem mundane and redundant but over time yield extraordinary results. For me, my EMP framework is a set of activities that aligns body, mind, and soul, transforming potential into purpose every single morning.
First Light: Anchoring the Soul with Prayer
“Be still, and know that I am God,” Psalm 46:10. That’s how my day begins not with the blaring demands of a to-do list or the endless aimless scrolling of my phone but with stillness. Before my fingers touch the keyboard or my mind races ahead to the day’s goals, I pray. It’s a quiet conversation, a grounding moment where gratitude flows and intentions align.
In the midst of all the speed and chaos, prayer reminds me that stillness has power. It’s the calm before the storm, the quiet before the world wakes up. The irony? In this stillness, I find my greatest momentum. Prayer allows me to attack the day not with my own power or capabilities because those are limited and filled with a lot of doubts and the 'Imposter Syndrome', hence I yield power to the most powerful, an omnipotent and omniscient being that his power and abilities may be the guiding force throughout my day.
The Warrior’s Call: Exercise for the Body
Once the soul is anchored, the body demands its turn. Cause we just woke up remember and very early. We are right next to the bed even. Together with the mind the two are in complete consensus "Let's go back to sleep bro just 10 more mins." Exercise is my way of answering that call, though not always with enthusiasm. I mean barely with any ounce of motivation. “Do I really need to do this today?” But then I remind myself even warriors like Hua Mulan trained before stepping onto the battlefield.
Physical movement awakens something primal. Blood pumps, endorphins flow, and suddenly, the fog lifts. There’s a quote attributed to Socrates: “No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” WOW! powerful words, and on some level, they resonate. Even if my workout is brief and not perfect, it’s a victory over inertia, and that’s enough.
The Mind’s Reset: Meditation
Now we have won the battle of the body, it’s time to reset the mind. You know those wandering aimless thoughts, "I hear voices in my head they talk to me can't understand they talk to me I hear voices in my head They council me, they understand They talk to me, they talk to me" ( I honestly wasn't quite fond of the guy, especially his rivalry with John Cena. But he was right we all hear those voices). Meditation is the final piece of the EMP, the quiet cooldown that bridges effort and reflection. If prayer is about seeking guidance and exercise about harnessing energy, meditation is the act of clearing the slate. Well not if.
Some days, my thoughts are like toddlers in a candy store running wild, impossible to contain. Other days, there’s a rare clarity, a silence so profound it feels like I’ve tapped into some ancient well of wisdom. Either way, it’s about showing up, acknowledging the noise, and finding peace within it.
Here’s where the magic happens. Meditation not only relaxes me but sharpens my focus. By the time I’m in front of my screen, ready to write, inspiration flows like a river. I can connect ideas, draw insights, and create with clarity. It’s as if my mind whispers, “You’re ready. Let’s do this.”
The Momentum of Small Wins
What I’ve learned through the EMP is this: small, deliberate actions compound into something transformative. Each part of the protocol prayer, exercise, meditation builds on the last, creating a momentum that carries me through the day. It’s not about perfection but presence. Even on days when my push-ups resemble a collapsing bridge or my mind wanders during meditation, the act of showing up is its own victory. It's just so impeccable. I even find myself writing words like 'impeccable' even though I don't know what they mean but somehow I know it's the right word for this.
The bamboo tree spends years growing its roots before it shoots skyward. The EMP is my daily watering routine a way to stay rooted and prepared for the inevitable burst of growth.
So here’s my challenge for you today, tomorrow next year or whenever you decide to conquer 'procrastination' (pure evil that one): find your balance, your version of the EMP. Whether it’s a morning run, journaling, or simply sitting in silence, discover what grounds you. So that when the day calls, you show up ready, anchored, and steady.
Because this is what we do now. Small wins, big momentum. Today's was a bit of a long one took me close to two hours to write, if you got this far congra! Let’s go.🚀
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org
https://www.webmd.com
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