Paul Jarvis
Paul Jarvis is a freelance web designer of fifteen years from Victoria, BC, who has worked with everyone from Fortune 500 companies to best-selling authors and entrepreneurs.
What is your morning routine?
I’ve not used or had an alarm clock for fifteen years (with the exception of days when I need to catch a flight). I wake up when my body wakes up.
First thing is brushing my teeth, followed promptly by coffee. I vary my bean usage between three local roasters in Victoria, BC and brew them through a stainless steel Bialetti. I then add a dash of homemade almond milk and get to drinking.
From there I cuddle with my pet rats, Ohna’ and Awe:ri, while I check my email and twitter, replying to anything that needs immediate attention. Past that, I have no further routine. If it’s nice out, I may go for a walk or do some yoga. If I’m busy, I’ll get down to work. If the mood strikes, I’ll write for a few hours. Or start food prep for the day. I never really know what my day will entail until it’s happening.
How long have you stuck with this routine so far?
Fifteen years or so, give or take times when I’m travelling or not at home for extended periods.
How has your morning routine changed over recent years?
I only got my pet rats seven months ago, so prior to those little ladies I woke, brushed my teeth, made coffee, and checked email and twitter.
What time do you go to sleep?
Whenever I’m tired :) usually between 10:00pm and 12:00am.
How soon after waking up do you have breakfast, and what do you typically have?
I don’t eat breakfast for 1-3 hours after I wake up. It depends when I get hungry. And when I do, I have either a kale, banana, almond milk smoothie or homemade, raw and sprouted granola with almond milk (I really like my nut milk, eh).
Do you have a morning workout routine?
No, but if the mood strikes, I’ll do 5 sun salutations to get limbered up (to sit at my computer) or go for a light walk.
I don’t like working out first thing, I usually get more active later in the morning or just before dinner.
How about morning meditation?
I’ve tried. But I can’t find my meditation by sitting. I need physical activity to meditate, like surfing or yoga.
Do you see to email first thing in the morning or leave it until later in the day?
I’d love to be one of those people that checks twice or day, or writes for 3 hours then checks email for the first time, but I’m not that guy. I go through spurts of attempting it, but I fail at it.
Since I work for myself, there are sometimes things that needed doing hours earlier (for clients not in my time-zone), so I usually need to get to a task or three right away.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning, either for calls/messages or social media and news?
I check twitter right after email, but no one calls me (ever) and I don’t use other social media too often. News, if it’s pressing, I’ll read about on twitter.
What are your most important tasks in the morning?
I never know until I begin my day.
What and when is your first drink in the morning?
Coffee, as soon as I’ve brushed my teeth. Followed by water, and possible a smoothie.
On days you’re not settled in your home, are you able to adapt your routine to fit in with a different environment?
As long as I get a coffee within the first hour, everything else for my morning routine is entirely flexible.
What do you do if you fail to follow your routine, and how does this influence the rest of your day?
You don’t want to know me if I haven’t had a coffee. This might read as funny or a joke, but my wife will assure you that it’s not…
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