Daily Rituals for a Strong May

 Genius is less about genetics and more about the quality of your daily habits.

And may I suggest that if you’re not deepening world-class habits you’re getting brilliant at practicing bad ones.

And they are easy.

1. A daily nap (how easy is this one!). It’s been my secret weapon against late-afternoon energy lapses for my adult life. Actually, I had naps when I was a kid too, now that I think of it.

2.  A daily nature walk. This form of “active recovery” allows your brain to create connections and solve big problems, without you even knowing it. Long restorative walking is an activity used by many of the world’s most heroic humans including Churchill, Charles Dickens, Steve Jobs and Madame Curie.

3. Rising at dawn. This regime will multiply your productivity massively yet—ironically—also give you more time later in the day for rest. Read The 5AM Club (currently one of the bestselling books on the planet) to learn how the pros do it.

4. Working less yet far more intensely. This habit is so very powerful. The best of the best—especially in the creative and athletic fields—generally only work 5 hours a day. Yet, the hours they are working are filled with peak work versus distracted toil. I’ve explained “The 5 Great Hours Rule” in  latest book The Everyday Hero Manifesto along with the 9 other practices iconic performers run daily.

5. Elite sleep. Sleep and top performance are partners, not enemies. Superproducers generally “outsleep” their competition by an hour every day. Full and deep nighttime renewal isn’t a luxury but an absolute necessity to bring your fire to your craft. And extend your impact for a longer lifetime.