Arianna Cerrito

Wellness Tip:
 

Spring Clean Your Routine

Spring has officially arrived. 🌸 It’s easy to keep running on winter autopilot without realizing it, but our routines should shift along with the seasons.

Take a few minutes this week to spring-clean your daily routines and ask:

  • What still feels good and worth keeping?
  • What feels heavy, slow, or out of sync right now?
  • What could feel lighter, simpler, or more energizing?


Look for small, practical swaps, like a lighter, fresher breakfast, moving your workout earlier (or outdoors), or shifting from cosy evening habits to something more uplifting. 

The environment around us is changing, with more light and warmth, so our routines are easier to shape. Try using this change in season as a reset point for your behavior, and let us know how you go!

Routine Breakdown
 

Arianna Cerrito, Senior Business Leader and Board Advisor & Founder of StartUpAndRise

The Routine of a Senior Leader Who Works With Her Energy

Arianna Cerrito

Arianna Cerrito says her routine has evolved with age, responsibility, and self-awareness. “It’s consistent in intention, but it adapts with daylight, seasons and workload.”

The Routine:

  • Awake early, but slowly (first 30–45 minutes). “I wake up early, but I don’t rush myself into action. I hydrate, move gently around the house, sometimes sit with my thoughts, sometimes read a few pages.”
  • Respecting light and seasonality. “I deliberately don’t exercise in the dark. Even though I generally prefer to work out in the morning, I wait until natural light is up. In winter, that means movement comes later. In summer, my body naturally asks for earlier exercise and adapts quickly.”
  • Writing everything down, then distilling. “Once my mind feels properly switched on, I write lists. Very long ones. Everything that’s on my mind goes down on paper. Only after that do I highlight what actually matters for the day.”
  • Unstructured strategic thinking, by design. “I don’t block a rigid ‘strategy hour’. I have enough discipline to trust that if I create space in my week, my mind will naturally return to the questions that matter.” 
  • Deep work when focus feels settled. “Once those elements are in place, I move into deep work: strategy, writing, mentoring preparation. It’s not clock-driven. It happens when focus feels stable rather than forced.”
  • Closing the working day. “At the end of my working day, I briefly review my list and amend what truly matters for the following day. Once that’s done, I mentally close the workday.”

 

Why it works:

  • Whether you wake slowly or jump straight into action depends on what works best for you. Arianna says her body wakes up before her mind does. “Giving myself permission to arrive slowly means I don’t drag mental fog into the rest of the day.”
  • Arianna says aligning movement with daylight gives her steadier energy and longer focus. This may be because exposure to morning light suppresses melatonin, making us more alert. 
  • As Arianna explains, “I use lists to empty my head. Highlighting what matters comes after, once the noise is out.” There’s science behind this. Getting everything down on paper reduces mental load and helps “close the loop” on unfinished tasks (aka, the Zeigarnik effect), so your brain isn’t constantly trying to hold onto everything at once.
  • Focus comes in waves. Tuning into your natural focus peaks makes deep work feel easier and more effective, helping you tap into flow instead of forcing concentration when it’s not there.
  • Says Arianna of closing her workday: “Clarifying tomorrow allows me to stop thinking about today. It’s the line that lets me rest without loose ends.”


Arianna adds that this routine is definitely NOT about perfection. “It’s about knowing myself well enough to stop fighting my own rhythm. Earlier in my career, I pushed through that instinctively. Now, with more responsibility and longer horizons, I’ve learned that the quality of my thinking matters far more than the volume of my output.”

Working this way means some days look quieter than others, and that’s intentional. When I respect my energy and close the day properly, I show up the next morning clearer, calmer, and more capable of making the kinds of decisions my work actually requires. Over time, that has proved far more sustainable than any rigid routine I’ve ever tried.

Hannah Charlotte

Wellness Tip:
 

Use Nervous System Grounding

Have you heard of nervous system grounding? It’s a set of techniques designed to shift the body from a stressed “fight-or-flight” state (sympathetic) to a calm, safe state (parasympathetic). 

Having a few of these techniques up your sleeve can be handy for when you feel anxious or overwhelmed. They can also be used proactively as part of your daily routine to keep your nervous system more balanced—like in Hannah Charlotte’s routine below.

Grounding techniques often involve reconnecting with the present moment through the body and senses. Examples include slow breathing, gentle stretching, or deliberately tuning into what you can see, hear, or feel around you.

Here’s a list you can check out for more ideas to try.

Routine Breakdown
 

Hannah Charlotte, Founder & CEO of Globe Fit, Podcast Host & Mother of Three

An Entrepreneur’s Routine for Nervous System Balance

Hannah Charlotte

“My routine has evolved over years of building multiple businesses alongside motherhood, navigating periods of burnout, and learning the importance of nervous-system regulation for sustainable success,” says Hannah Charlotte. “It’s consistent but flexible, and always responsive to real life.”

The Routine:

  • Early wake-up + nervous system grounding (5:30–6:00am). “I start my day before the world needs anything from me. This quiet window allows my nervous system to settle, which directly impacts how I lead, parent, and make decisions for the rest of the day,” says Hannah. She avoids her phone during this “magic hour,” opting instead for slow breathing, stretching, and a few minutes of stillness.
  • Embodied movement (Pilates, yoga, or strength training). “As a movement-based business owner, physical practice isn’t optional for me, it’s how I regulate stress, maintain energy, and stay creatively connected.”
  • Intentional nourishment + supplements. “I eat to support my energy and hormones, not to restrict or optimise metrics. A high-protein breakfast, hydration, and supplements like magnesium support steady focus and prevent the energy crashes that used to define my workdays.”
  • Focused work blocks (2–3 hours max). “My routine is designed so I can work deeply, then step away. I work in short, focused windows.”
  • Evening wind-down + reflection. “Evenings include walking, journaling, or time in the sauna. This helps my body fully come out of ‘doing mode’ and supports better sleep and emotional regulation.”


Why it works:

  • Nervous system grounding helps calm anxiety and stress by getting your body out of fight-or-flight mode. See above!
  • Some research suggests working out in the morning offers extra benefits—though movement is definitely good at any time of day!
  • Hydration and protein are morning essentials for a healthy body.
  • Work blocks are a good idea. Research shows that taking regular breaks improves productivity, reduces stress levels, and enhances creativity.
  • Calming evening rituals can help you sleep better.


Hannah says that how she closes the day is just as important as how she starts it. Do you have a favorite evening wind-down activity that primes you for better rest?

Chris Sorrell

Productivity Tip:
 

Try Time-Boxing Your Tasks

If your to-do list keeps growing but your day keeps disappearing, time-boxing might help.

Instead of leaving tasks on an open-ended list, assign each one a specific block of time in your schedule. For example: 9:00–9:45 write proposal, 10:00–10:30 answer emails, 11:00–12:00 deep work.

Why it works: It forces you to prioritize, reduces multitasking, and creates small deadlines that keep work moving forward!

How to try it: At the start of the day, pick your top tasks and block time for them in your calendar. Using Panda Planner’s daily schedule makes this easy: you can visually “box” your tasks into the day before distractions take over.

The goal isn’t to fill every minute. It’s to give your most important work a clear place in your day. Give it a try and let us know how you go!

Routine Breakdown
 

Chris Sorrell, Founder of Sydney Kayaking Tours 

The Unusual Morning Routine of a Kayaking Founder

Chris Sorrell

“Running a sunrise kayaking business means my routine naturally starts before most people are awake,” says Australian Chris Sorrell, who has the good fortune of spending his days on the beautiful Sydney Harbour. “Being on the water early has become the anchor for the rest of my day. It clears my head, gives me energy and sets a calm tone before the pace of running a tourism business kicks in.”

The Routine:

  • Wakes before sunrise. “I try to wake before the sun comes up. Starting the day before most people are awake gives me a sense of quiet and focus before emails and the normal noise of the day begin.”
  • Gets out on the harbour in the dark. “A lot of my mornings start paddling out onto Sydney Harbour while it’s still dark. The water is usually completely calm and the city is quiet in a way most people never see.”
  • Watches the sunrise from the water. “Watching the sun rise over the harbour never really gets old. It is a simple moment but it resets your perspective and puts you in a good frame of mind for the rest of the day.”
  • Gym session around midday. “After the morning tours and admin, I try to get a gym session in around midday. It helps balance the early start and keeps my energy levels up through the afternoon.”


Why it works:

  • Chris’ routine is the kind that jumps straight in – literally. He kicks off his mornings doing what he loves, and that’s enough to get his day off to the best possible start. Midday is when a gym session works best for him, so sticking to this schedule means it actually gets done while keeping his energy up through the afternoon.


It’s a reminder that there’s no single “perfect” routine—just the one that fits your life and schedule best.

Sarah Gallucci

Productivity Tip:
 

Create Small Frictions

You’ve heard about removing those tiny frictions that stop you from getting things done. Think creating shortcuts, removing clutter, or minimizing decisions. But what about introducing tiny frictions as a path to productivity? 

Sounds contradictory, but here’s how it works: use friction to your advantage by making distractions harder to indulge in. Some examples:

  • Log out of social media so you have to sign back in to use it.
  • Move distraction apps off your home screen or bury them in folders.
  • Put the TV remote in a drawer instead of on the coffee table.
  • Remove saved passwords for distracting sites so logging in takes effort.
  • Keep snacks out of sight or in harder-to-reach places so you don’t mindlessly grab them while working.


Even tiny barriers can interrupt automatic habits and give you a moment to decide whether the distraction is worth it. What small friction could you introduce today to protect your focus?

Routine Breakdown
 

Sarah Gallucci, Author, Speaker, Professor & Single Mother

How an Author and Single Mom Starts Her Day Right

Sarah Gallucci

With just four simple steps, Sarah Gallucci’s morning routine doesn’t take hours – but it does set her for a positive day. Here’s how she rolls after jumping out of bed each morning.

The Routine:

  • Drinks warm lemon water before anything else. “My mother has instilled this habit in me from when I was a young girl. It ensures hydration before coffee or tea, and it’s comforting physically and emotionally.”
  • Journals for at least 5 minutes. “I have kept a diary since I was a young girl. Journaling first thing in the morning helps with deciphering dreams, dumps anything urgent on the mind so you can get it out of yourself before the day ahead, and helps you plan your priorities for the day.”
  • Does at least 30 mins of stretching and strengthening exercises. “I suffered a back injury a few months ago, and am working with a trainer through the app Trainerize, so I don’t have to go to a clinical physical therapy facility. It’s done from the comfort of my home and on my schedule.”
  • Walks outside (no matter the weather!). “Every day I try to walk at least once for 30 minutes. Often I meditate using the To Be Magnetic app, sometimes I simply notice nature and be bored so ideas come to me for writing. Or I’m voicenoting my girlfriends to catch up!”


Why it works:

  • Sarah’s mom has a point: lemon water aids digestion, helps keep you hydrated, and gives you a vitamin C boost. 
  • Journaling really is incredible for mental health. 
  • Stretching keeps muscles strong, flexible, and healthy. Using an app for training is a smart way to get professional support without having to leave home. 
  • Walking alone is great for health, but layering in some meditation or mind-wandering is genius. Meditation lowers stress, enhances self-awareness, and more, while mind-wandering boosts creativity. 


Pop quiz: What are three activities you can add to your routine that give you big benefits in 5 minutes or less? 🤔

Some answers: meditation, journaling, walking, deep breathing, stretching, sunlight exposure, chatting with your bestie… If you said any of the above, you were right! The list is long: think about one quick activity that could benefit you, and give it a try tomorrow!

Lenka Lutonska

Wellness Tip:
 

Start With Identity

Most of us try to change our lives by changing our behaviour. We add habits, download yet another new app, write longer to-do lists. But research suggests change sticks better when it’s tied to our identity. 

When you anchor into who you are becoming, your brain starts looking for evidence to support that identity. Your decisions shift, your confidence increases, and you gain a greater sense of direction. 

So, instead of asking, “What should I do today?”

Try asking, “Who am I choosing to be today?”

That subtle shift builds self-awareness and guides your behaviors, so you stay on the path to becoming who you want to be. 

Thanks to this week’s guest, Lenka Lutonska, for inspiring this idea. Read on for her full routine below!

Routine Breakdown
 

By Lenka Lutonska, Founder & CEO, Business Energetics®

A 7-Figure Founder’s 20-Minute Routine for Clarity

Lenka Lutonska

“My morning routine is designed to do one thing above all else: ensure I lead the day rather than react to it,” says Lenka Lutonska, mindset and business coach, author, and founder of Business Energetics®, a multiple 7-figure business. Her routine sets her up for clarity and momentum and only takes 10-20 minutes.


The Routine:

  • Clears her mental and emotional state. “Before checking my phone or emails, I take a few minutes to notice and release any tension, mental noise, or emotional residue.
  • Anchors into who she is today. “I consciously connect with the version of myself who is already grounded, decisive, and leading at the level I’m building toward.”
  • Asks one orienting question: “How does the next-level leader in me want to lead today?” This cuts through prioritisation noise. “It shifts me from task management into true leadership and direction.”
  • Listens before she acts. “I create a short pause to listen inwardly – not overthinking, just allowing clarity to surface. The most effective actions are often obvious once you stop forcing answers.”
  • Commits to one clear, aligned action. “I identify one action or decision that will move the business forward meaningfully – especially if it feels slightly uncomfortable. Progress doesn’t come from doing everything. It comes from doing the right thing, from clarity rather than pressure.”

 

Why it works:

  • As Lenka says, unprocessed stress can quietly drive our decisions and how we communicate. “Clearing it first creates calm focus and prevents reactive leadership,” she says.
  • Our sense of identity creates self-awareness, provides direction, and improves decision-making. In Lenka’s words, “Anchoring into identity stabilises confidence and sharpens decision-making throughout the day.”
  • A quick pause and one orienting question can shift us out of reactive, stress-driven mode and back into deliberate thinking. Even brief moments of mindful reflection have been shown to enhance attention and emotion regulation, leading to better decision quality.
  • Committing to one clear, meaningful action reduces cognitive overload and increases follow-through.


“Only after this process do I open email or messages and begin the day,” says Lenka. “This prevents external demands from hijacking focus and ensures I stay in a creative state rather than a reactive one.”

Dudley Tal Stokes

Productivity Tip:
 

Beat Bedtime Procrastination

There’s a neat little term psychologists use for something a lot of us do without thinking: bedtime procrastination. You go to bed later than you intended, not because of anything urgent, but because you’re scrolling, watching “one more” episode, or pottering around even though you’re tired. 🫩

Maybe it’s the only time that feels like it’s actually yours. Staying up becomes a quiet protest, even though tomorrow‑you is going to pay for it.

A few things to try:

  • Pick a rough “start winding down” time and treat it as a cue, not a rule.
  • Swap late‑night scrolling for one low‑effort calming habit (cup of tea, book, light stretching). 
  • Make distractions slightly less convenient, like charging your phone across the room. 
  • Use a “to‑bed” alarm to help you stay on track without turning your evenings into yet another thing to optimize.


Make it a tiny experiment: see how you feel after a week of getting to bed just a little earlier. Future-you might be pleasantly surprised. 😌

Routine Breakdown
 

Dudley Tal Stokes, Former Four-Time Olympian, Olympic Coach & Entrepreneur

How an Olympic Coach Trains His Mind Before His Body

Dudley Tal Stokes

For Dudley Tal Stokes, former Olympic bobsledder and inspiration for the movie Cool Runnings, a successful day begins with meditation and movement. 

The Routine:

  • Meditates. “I begin each day with a meditation routine I call Mental Relaxation and Rehearsal. I aim for a minimum of 15 minutes and an ideal of 1 hour. From a state of deep relaxation, I do a series of visualizations designed to help me reach my peak performance state and model potential situations ahead. Once my mental state is set, I find it easier throughout the day to maintain the correct tension required for the particular situation I encounter.”
  • Works out. “I focus on mobility and control of the body, followed by 15-20 minutes of high-intensity exercise, using body weight and kettlebells. I may do a walk, with or without weights, for 30 minutes. After a cold shower, I’m ready for the day.”
  • Starts his day the night before by getting enough sleep. “I have an alarm for bed at 21:45; I usually get ready by 22:00 and am asleep by 23:00. Before the alarm, I make sure the environment is low-light and add some Green Tea.”


Why it works:

  • Research supports visualization as a performance-enhancing tool! Mental rehearsal lowers anxiety, helps you prepare for situations, and builds confidence and focus. 
  • Mobility work improves joint control and reduces stiffness, while a short burst of high-intensity exercise flips the “on” switch in your brain, boosting focus and mood. 
  • Adding a cold shower boosts alertness even more, thanks to a quick surge of energising hormones.


Notice how Dudley uses a “to-bed” alarm to start intentionally winding down? As we said above, it’s a neat trick for keeping your evenings on track!

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