All of my life, I have been go-go-go on a mission. As a child, it was customary for my mom to shake me awake at 10:00am, snarf down a breakfast burrito on the way to basketball training, jet off (still sweaty) to a birthday party, then to a soccer match, to family dinner, to my desk and up until midnight to complete my science project due the next morning… it was nonstop. And I loved it.

As I have gotten older, my gung-ho mindset is more planned out. I am aware that 99% of “overnight successes” are not necessarily illusions, but instead a result of small, daily habits accumulated over time.

Three years ago I ramped up this attitude full throttle, when I met former NFL player, and mental conditioning coach Niyi Sobomehin. He gave me a system to implement that ensures every single action I take is intentional and in alignment with my dreams. It’s an approach, that has changed my life far beyond the soccer field. It inspired me to launch my blog, to volunteer more, to play in Australia- to place my future entirely in my own hands (Check out Niyi’s website:imnotyou.com. He also has a killer podcast, he interviewed Michelle Beto’s awhile back : Niyi’s podcast w/ Michelle ).

The system allows me to dominate every single day.

And it starts the moment my alarm buzzes at 6:30am. I wake up, pop out of bed, grab my phone, and turn on my customized affirmation track, a recording, with beats in the background, of my voice telling me how beautiful and unstoppable I am and how today is about to be the best day of my life. Not in a cocky way, but in a self-love, no one else is going to hear this track but me (until now) kind of way.

As this is playing, I pound out 20 push-ups, and 1 minute of planks each way (face down, and both sides). Once finished, I stretch and foam roll as I listen to my health affirmation track reaffirming my abundant energy and vitality.

Next, I fill out my “blueprint” journal. I answer a series of questions such as:

What are you incredibly grateful for?

Who’s life can you positively impact today and how?

Why is today going to be the best day of your life?

What one action can you take that will make today a success?

I follow this reflection by standing in front of the mirror, staring into my eyes, and again telling myself how unstoppable I am.

I give my body an “inner bath”-down a glass of water-, and lastly, I meditate for at least 10 minutes.

Before 7:15, I’ve completed my morning routine. Any ounce of fatigue is long gone and I am Lebron James-Game-7-NBA-Final ready to beast the day.

I channel this energized and invincible feeling throughout the rest of my day’s schedule- which I devised the night before, and ensure I incorporate my “Daily Disciplines”, 8 actions that I must complete every day:

At least 10 minutes of:

Watching film

Ball work

Stretching/foam rolling

Writing

Reading

Meditating

Brain HQ (an online mental training program)

Flossing my teeth (this does not require ten minutes, unless I ate a kale salad garnished with quinoa and poppyseed and chia seeds that day)

I chart my progress.

I have followed this system religiously for two and half years. If I fail to complete a habit-which happens-I feel guilty, and often make up for it the next day.

It’s a against my nature to rest.

Yet here I was, a few days after my concussion, and just getting out of bed shot milky way stars across my field of vision. A walk to the fridge mimicked playing in the last minutes of double overtime.

By process of elimination, the only suitable response was to remain still. I wasn’t tired, but lying horizontal was the one posture that relieved my symptoms. So I rested. And I thought. I thought a lot. Sometimes my thoughts hurt. Like one time I fantasized about a thai curry dish I recently cooked, and could not, for the life of me, think of that Asian vegetable I added for extra crunch. That night, it came to me. Bok choy. That dirty devil.

Nights were the worst. Right when I got under the covers to catch some zzz’s, my brain turned into a bossy older brother; throwing lego blocks at my skull and choke-holding my neck, finding any means possible to taunt me.

My doctor anticipated with a week of minimal brain activity, my symptoms would subside and I would be able to resume my soccer duties.

A week passed. Then two. Three. Although I was improving, any strenuous activity or extended focus invoked an interplay of nausea, light headedness, headaches, and fatigue.

So I continued to heed the doctor’s prescription until entirely symptom-free.

One more week of resting, maybe two tops, and I would be back on the pitch. I got this.

This laissez-faire attitude contradicted my typical behavior.

But I was physically unable and instructed not to abide by my ordinary structure.

Instead, I woke-up schedule-less, and based my days off of how and what I felt.

I thought this drastic change would shock my system and spur a mild depression. But the craziest thing happened: I…dare I say it…I loved it.

To visit my beach town, you have to drive down a steep escarpment of jungle-y trees. Once at sea level, the water is audible everywhere. It’s as if you are encapsulated in your own secret sun-shining, bird-singing, wave-crashing, safe haven.

I could sulk about my uncontrollable aches and pains, but it wouldn’t make any difference; I would still be in the exact same physical state, just unhappy. That didn’t make sense to me. I opted to treat this as a mini-vacation with a side of near-barfing nausea and trash-compacting headaches.

Most days, I meandered to the beach, laid out a towel, and stared out at the ocean. I meditated, self-reflected, read until my headache acted up (about 15 minutes), and then rested some more.

At some point, I took a dip in the ocean.

I swear, water has healing powers. Every time I was near the ocean, all of my symptoms washed away with the waves. I could soak in the whimsical never-ending blueness for hours.

After being hypnotized by the magic of the ocean, I usually sauntered over to my favorite coffee shop, Bread Espresso &. I chitchatted with the owners, an adorable couple named Norby and Sandy. The shop closed around 3, (most places do to allow for a siesta or afternoon surf), and Norby’s kind heart often handed me fresh bread to take back to my roomies.

I then walked to the grocery store and bought some fresh veggies and produce . That trip usually drained my energy. so when I arrived home I took a nap in the hammock, listened to the birds chirp, then cooked my meal.

I even started developing my own recipes:

It’s as if this town was specifically designed for my prescribed “minimal brain power” recovery protocol. No one was in a rush, they were simply enjoying the day.

This laid-back lifestyle was a stark contrast to my former “can’t stop, won’t stop” mindset. Usually, I am hard on myself when I don’t complete my push-ups or watch extra film. But I didn’t feel this angst because I was told by the doctor that the fastest way to get back on the field was to rest.

Before my concussion, I idolized the lion-like mentality. I was willing to do whatever it took to be the most dominate player. I was 24/7 trying to be like the lion chasing after the the gazelle, but I was missing the whole picture.

What does a lion do when it’s not attacking?

It rests. Deeply. For upwards of 18 hours. Until it’s time to feast. Only then, does he rise from his dwelling, and attack its prey.

It is the deep rest that allows the lion, the king of the jungle, to hunt with such veracity and conviction. Lions are incredibly efficient. But when they are resting they aren’t thinking about being efficient, or, being efficient while resting.

My pure happiness stemmed from tapping into that presence. From being exactly where I was. Unconcerned about what I “had to do” (listening to affirmation tracks, watching film etc.) to set me up for success. I did things because I felt like it, because they elevated my well-being, and I trusted that the mental break would get me back on the field sooner.

This joy didn’t come from just relaxing. I have had plenty of “recovery days” over the years. It stemmed from being exactly where I was, and no where else.

Nature has this nonjudgmental way of awakening my soul. It happens when I’m around authentic people, and when I’m immersed in a soccer game. I am more alive and see the world brighter.

I still believe routines and habits are crucial for self-improvement and goal achievement. If I rested all of the time, my life would lose meaning. I need and want a system to achieve the big dreams I have in my life.

But like a lion, purposeful stillness allows for more efficient attacks. To perform at the highest level when the time counts.

With this upgraded outlook, I continued to rest, soaking in the healing powers of the mystical sea. As I gazed out at this expansive mass of water, I trusted I would be back on my grind very soon, but this time with more efficiency and intention that ever before.

The Most Effective Way To Dominate Life