Day 68: A Productive Rhythm On and Off the Mat

A Structured and Calm Morning

Day 68 began with the familiar routine that I have come to cherish. I woke up feeling refreshed, took a cold shower, which always invigorates me, grabbed something nutritious to eat and then headed to school. On the bus, I did my breathing exercises as part of the Wim Hof method, which has become second nature now and helps me to arrive calm and focused before the day even starts. It’s amazing how such practices can center me, allowing me to approach the day with a clear mind.

A Light Teaching Load and Productive School Hours

Today was relatively light in terms of teaching, which was a welcome change. I only had one revision session in the morning, followed by supervision during exams. Later in the day, most students had already finished my exams, so instead of formal teaching, I organized educational math games. Making it competitive keeps them engaged, motivated, and makes the learning process much more enjoyable and interactive. The laughter and excitement in the classroom were palpable and a joy to witness.

I also had about an hour and a half of free time at school, a rare yet delightful opportunity, which I used to correct my own exams and help a colleague with his. Although I did not finish everything, I made solid progress and only had about a couple left to review, which made me feel accomplished and relieved. The collaborative spirit with my colleagues made the time fly by.

Once I wrapped up all my school-related tasks, I went home, ate a proper meal, one that was nutritious and satisfying, and then took a refreshing nap. After waking up, feeling rejuvenated, I relaxed briefly, allowing myself a moment to unwind, before getting ready for the much-anticipated evening boxing session.

Evening Boxing Session and Technical Work

I arrived on time for boxing with a sense of excitement, but instead of the usual skipping and shadowboxing that typically warms us up, we dove straight into technical partner drills, which was a change I welcomed. It was good to mix things up to keep the training fresh and engaging.

We worked intently on combinations where one person attacked while the other focused on movement and defense. One of the drills involved working on a jab-cross-hook-cross combination, with partners leaning to avoid the jab and cross, slipping under the hook, and stepping back to avoid the final cross. This was a fantastic exercise not only in technique but also in trust with our partners, who we switched with regularly to practice with different styles and transitions.

Another good combination we drilled consisted of jab-cross-hook, stepping back, throwing a left uppercut, then cross, and finally a left hook. We moved through these meticulously, focusing on timing and positioning rather than speed initially, which proved to enhance our overall skill level significantly.

After the drills were completed, we transitioned into light sparring with different partners, an aspect I genuinely enjoyed. It was calm, technical, and controlled, allowing me to focus on rhythm, distance, and clean movement rather than brute strength and power. The sparring felt smooth, productive, and provided valuable feedback on the techniques we had practiced earlier.

Conditioning and Closing the Session

With about thirty minutes left in our session, the coach asked who had running shoes. Those who did went outside to run, while the rest of us stayed indoors and did rope skipping, which provided an excellent cardiovascular workout. I stayed inside, embracing the challenge of perfecting my skipping technique and building endurance.

For the final ten minutes, the coach instructed us to do some core work, an essential part of any training routine. There were a few beginners who seemed a bit apprehensive, and I helped guide them through the exercises. It felt rewarding to lead and support my peers, fostering a sense of community and teamwork among us.

The session ran from 7.30 to 9.00 and proved to be highly productive, far exceeding any expectations I had had. I left the gym feeling satisfied and motivated, knowing that I had given my all during practice.

I ended the night with a refreshing cold shower, followed by a quick snack, and then slipped into a deep sleep, ready to rejuvenate for the next day.

Day Sixty Eight Lesson

Consistency builds confidence. A balanced day filled with calm work, focused training sessions, and steady habits reminds me that progress does not require chaos or constant turbulence. When routines align and create a harmonious flow, improvement follows naturally, making the journey toward our goals both enjoyable and fulfilling.

Day 68 complete. The grind continues, a process I embrace!

👉 Which part of your routine helps you stay consistent when motivation fluctuates? Reflecting on how to maintain consistency can pave the way for long-lasting success.