#10. Trusting Yourself - People and Their Brilliance
“Everything is motivated by me, rather than anxiety or shame”
The No Alarm Clock experimenters return to the podcast for a discussion on how the experiment went and what they learned from waking up without an alarm clock for seven days. There’s reflections on the impact of setting an intention, being afraid to let go of control, being rigorous about how we commit to experimenting and how we measure results, as well as the magic that can happen in the world when we connect to a deep trust - in ourselves and in the energy of the universe around us.
Listen to full episode :
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This episode is a follow up to episode eight, which you can listen to here.
In this episode, the role of trust and anxiety in how we show up recurs several times. The voice in your head and what it tells you can make such a big impact on who you become - we talk more about this in a blog post which you can read here.
Interested in running this experiment for yourself? Try it for seven days and see what you notice. You can share your progress and what you learn with us by writing in on the podcast website whatsyour.work, or by emailing harry@thebrilliance.co.uk.
Alex worked as a Recruitment Administrator for People and Their Brilliance and is now continuing to work part time in recruitment whilst pursuing her career in music. You can connect with her on LinkedIn @Alexandra Purpura.
Casey is currently working in digital marketing and is due to graduate from the Kickstart scheme in May. You can connect with her on LinkedIn @Casey White.
Henry is currently working in digital marketing and recently graduated from the Kickstart Scheme. You can connect with him on LinkedIn @Henry Dewar.
Todd worked as a Training Administrator before graduating from the Kickstart Scheme. You can connect with him on LinkedIn @Todd Wheatland.
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Darius Norell
So welcome to part two of this experiment investigation into no alarm clock. And as I'm holding it, there's two aspects to this as in, like what's available to learn it. So one is kind of how did the experiment go? That's it was that was, what happened and what we can learn from it. What are the insights to take away? Right? So we can do that? There's also a bigger one, which is, what does it mean to run a good experiment? Right, which is, which may even be more valuable than the next the the sort of findings of the experiment itself? So we're going to look at, we're going to look at both and I'm, I mean, we're going to suggest that we start at that, that with that question, which is what does it mean to run a good experiment? So staying out of the detail of what happened at this stage? And just looking at what makes a good experiment, is we've tried something. You've had some results of some kind. So anybody want to win want to sort of put a thought forward? And maybe Alex, you can kick us off? Because this is your domain of expertise? It makes a good experiment.
Alexandra Purpura
You have like, a good question. So like a good hypothesis. certain variables are controlled. So I guess for us it would have been like, yeah, I guess like that controlled variables. And then whether it was actually like, replicated in everyone's like, place of residence, I guess, like, us all doing the exact same thing, basically.
Darius Norell
Okay, so we saw, I think, I think it was reasonably well defined, right? We had a really clear set up, which is, as I'm holding it, and correct me, which was, there was going to be a week of 07 days of no, not using an alarm clock. Right? Because seven days, five days, seven days, 11 days, starting from Monday, obviously, you can start earlier if you wanted to. Right, but that was starting from Monday, or Sunday night, I should say. And so from that perspective, I think it was really clears Is everyone okay, with that so far like that, though? Ya know, I was doing a totally different experiment. Like that's that was the bare bones of it. Right. It was was that? And then I think there was some some instructions as well, that comes to mind. I don't know, I don't know, sounds a bit too strong, but around, not trying to, you know, it's almost to kind of see what happens, maybe set an intention of a time to wake up. Or just the clarity of, hey, I want to wake up in time for this and seeing what time you wake up. Is that right? So there's some elements of setting some intention. Is that accurate? Yeah, Jason. chiming for you. Yeah. Okay, good. So that since we had a set up for an experiment, of like, okay, here's what we're going to test a hypothesis as you say, Alex, or even, this was very open, it was a really inquiry of okay, what happens if I do this? Right. And then what else do we need for it to be a good experiment for us to come sit here and go? Oh, yes. That was a good experiment on really defining that dunya separating that from Oh, I got some breakthrough result. Right? What makes it a good experiment?
Alexandra Purpura
Maybe that we all engaged in it.
Darius Norell
Okay, so that we Yeah, so there's a setup and then did we actually do it? Right. So that's, that's one thing. And what So imagine you all did it for a moment. And what?
Todd Wheatland
the outcome of what happened for us?
Darius Norell
Yeah, so get more even more specific towards you. I think you're on to it. That what?
Todd Wheatland
That we were waking up without an alarm.
Darius Norell
Yeah, I'm gonna I'm gonna I'm gonna put words in your mouth that you are noticing what happened?
Todd Wheatland
Yeah.
Darius Norell
Right. Whether you did or not whether you were on time or not, like what was the reason to do that? The observation. We haven't got anything to reflect on. And a totally valid observation is Oh, wow, I didn't do it. Right. Oh, I forgot to do the experiment. Oh, I I couldn't be better if I set the alarm anyway or whatever it might be. So just being able to come with data of this is what actually happened. And then we've got information to review and digest and pull themes from any questions on that as that will make all make sense. So I think it's just helpful to you know, the being in the noticing is a really powerful Okay, so we're gonna, we're gonna go into now. And I'm really curious love to hear what actually happened. So maybe that start with a score one to five have, I did the experiment. And five means that yeah, I really did it, which means I did it every day. And I noticed what was happening. And even if I didn't do I noticed what was happening. So like I've you know, fully available to give results as a five. One is, I just didn't do it. I didn't even notice that I'd have done it. I didn't really, you know, I haven't got very much to share, because I didn't didn't engage very fully in the experiment. So where are you each? What little score you're gonna give yourself? Go quick, quick, go round. So Todd, What score would you give yourself?
Todd Wheatland
Two. Slash three.
Darius Norell
Okay. Thank you, Alex.
Alexandra Purpura
Four.
Darius Norell
Thank you. Casey?
Casey White
I'd say a two overall.
Darius Norell
Henry?
Henry Dewar
Four.
Darius Norell
Thank you. Harry?
Harry McMullen
Sorry, I missed the question.
Darius Norell
To what extent did you engage in the experiment? Did it give you got data to share?
Harry McMullen
Four.
Darius Norell
Okay, great. Over to you, so I'm here as a support to help you make sense of and to help you share with each other. Hey, here's what's happened. Here's what I got. I've been doing this for, I guess, 30 years. So if there's something I can share, in terms of you don't have for a week, I'm here, what what is it that that would be helpful to talk about?
Alexandra Purpura
um, I guess I'll go first, because I feel like I've been talking a lot about it. During the week anyway, I found that when the first day, I did set like a provisional alarm, which is why I like said I gave it like a four instead of a five. And I set a provisional alarm on like Monday morning as well. But I found the I found a really good experience. I felt like maybe I was like, very, very hesitant about it, like, didn't trust myself and didn't trust my ability to wake up. And sort of just throughout the week, I started really getting into it waking up, you know, every day, except on the weekends, every day between like 730 and eight, just like naturally, I was waking up way earlier as well, I was waking up, you know, quarter to five, and then 630. And I could you know, fall back asleep. And then I think it was quite easy, as well, because when it was getting like I knew I'd like slept a bit too late. Whereas I think it would get a little bit harder as like, the days get longer, and you're waking up at four. It's like, oh, it's like, I need to get up and it's not so I think there's but um, yeah, I've carried it on I've carried on into this week. And even when I set like a provisional alarm, I was still waking up, you know, I was set up for a and I'd still be waking up at like 740. And I, instead of what I used to do, where as well, I'd like have my alarm, I'd wake up like 25 minutes before, I'd always go back to sleep. And now I'm just like, Oh, I'm just gonna get up. And I don't even like it's not even like, I'll get up like, I will just lie in bed and sort of just like think about things and like, but I won't go back to sleep. And I think that's a big step for me. Because you know, you go back to sleep and then you wake up when the alarm goes off and you're really groggy. And yeah, I think the best part for me definitely is not being jolted awake. And it feeling very unnatural. And I was really honestly surprised how quickly I eased into it. And how quickly like my mind changed about my own ability to trust that I went to like, get up I guess. I don't think I yeah, I don't think I turned up like like today I did because the buses were messing me up. But other than that, yeah, it was good. It was good experience.
Darius Norell
Lovely. So it sounds like a positive experience. You're waking up. In a more positive state. It sounds like it's a more naturally more more I'm using the word more energised, but you didn't even say energise but at least feeling freer. It sounds like and starting the day when you wake up rather than oh no let me eke out some more sleep or then kind of whatever it might be so wonderful. And so have you let go of setting a provisional alarm now
Alexandra Purpura
Yeah, I only I genuinely only set a provisional alarm last Monday morning. And this Monday morning, just because I was worried I'm gonna be able to wash my hair. But other than that, like for the rest of the week, I was like, oh, no, it's fine. So like, it was just like two instances where I set an alarm anyway. And like the rest, I just haven't.
Darius Norell
So what would it take for you to let go of the provisional alarm?
Alexandra Purpura
Maybe just to keep going a little bit longer, which I want to do anyway. Yeah, that's probably that's probably just like, keep practising just so I can keep proving to myself that like, I can wake up.
Darius Norell
Great. And so I've got one other comment, and then we'll, we'll kind of debrief someone else's, which is, oh, well, let me check in what what intention are you setting when you when you on that side of things when you're going to bed or kind of what's what are you holding as the intention.
Alexandra Purpura
I felt like I didn't really go in having an intention. Like I didn't like before bed, I wouldn't just be like, Okay, I'm gonna like wake up here because I have to do X Y Zed, like I didn't even set it. Because for me personally, like, if I want to do something before work, it's probably like, just not a good idea. Because I get too wrapped up in that. And then like, I lose track of time, and I ended up just so I didn't like set like, oh, I want to read more in the morning, or I want to like get up early and do like some self care. Or I didn't really set that. Like I just wanted to wake up and trust myself and like wake up without an alarm. And that was my intention throughout the whole week.
Darius Norell
Great. So So now for a build on the on the experimental practice that you're doing. Yeah. Which is to suddenly to set an intention. But that just so you really hear clearly is at the moment, like my goal is to wake up without an alarm before work. But that sounds the extent of your intention or your goal. Yeah. And I think there's so much more you could do, right with your brain. And I don't mean do before work. But I mean, it's specifying the intention, like, okay, so I would like to wake up feeling fully energised, ready for the day, with time and space, so that I can feel great about my day, right? Whatever. Doesn't my work, but you can. And then and then the reason I'm saying that is see what time you wake up. Right? And then get up. So if with that intention, you wake up at five, trust that intention and get up. Because that's your that's your brain body system going, Hey, now's the time. And if you wake up full of energy, clear, ready to go go.
Alexandra Purpura
I think that'd be hard.
Darius Norell
What's hard about it?
Alexandra Purpura
I don't want to wake up at five, then why would you? Well, my body, I do just wake up at that point,
Darius Norell
with a very clear instruction is made up instruction to your brain is a wake up before that was like okay, well, this meets your definition. I'm waking up at five. Right, so you're good. You've got what you've been what you put because it's a very loose intention. Okay. Does that. Does that sound accurate?
Alexandra Purpura
I don't know. No, I'm
Darius Norell
saying what I'm saying. I heard that you've got a loose intention.
Alexandra Purpura
Yeah. Right. It's to get out for work. Right?
Darius Norell
So what I'm saying is even more specific, you might find you get different results. When you're waking up at five, what how would you describe your energy levels or level of clarity? Or?
Alexandra Purpura
It depends. I mean, a lot of the time I wake up during the night because I've woken up from a dream, for example. So like, I don't have like high energy, I would just want to go back to sleep.
Darius Norell
Yeah. So what I'm what I'm encouraging you to do to notice if you wake up at five with energy to get out of bed and go to honour that and get out of bed. Okay. And if you're if you're half asleep, so going back to sleep then great. Anything you want to ask?
Alexandra Purpura
How do you know that you have energy? Like cuz when I wake up, even for work, like I don't wake up raring to go, and I don't have that energy.
Darius Norell
Do you set that intention?
Alexandra Purpura
No.
Right. Well, what a surprise. This is the power of and this is based on the - I don't know how this occurs for you. This is why it's an experiment not to believe what I say. See what happens when you set the intention of okay, how do you want to feel when you wake up? Set the intention and then maybe we just opening to the possibility that our brain and body system will enable that support that to happen, or we give ourselves the possible As you're waking up, energised, feeling refreshed, ready to give your best. See what happens. And the reason I'm the reason I'm saying about honouring it, what then happens is because if you override it with, oh, I don't want to get up now I shouldn't live then you're then your brain body system gets confused. Like it doesn't know what to do is like, Well, no, I woke you up fully ready to go. And then you've decided, no, it's too early. To go along, what I'm saying is go with it. And see what happens. So if I wake up, and it happened for me this week, I woke up at 350. Okay, go woke up cleverly, ready to get out of bed? Again, I didn't design good. So I did. So then you'll get data at the very least that oh my gosh, that doesn't work. What is the impact of my day on my day goes better it doesn't, you know, great, we can just be alive to what happens. As a consequence, what I'm suggesting is something very powerful when you get in tune and aligned, the levels of energy that you might get access to multiply quickly. Okay, let's, let's have is that is that? Is that anything else? No. Okay, who wants to go next?
Henry Dewar
I can. Yeah, I'd say, for me, the experiment is quite difficult. First of all, it's kind of hard to have a good environment to do it in. Because, yeah, there's like, noises in in the early morning, and they tend to wake me up. But it's not like a natural awakening. So that, you know, that kind of affects it. And also, I did feel like, I didn't trust myself to wake up with a time I would want to wake up at and, and also, like, my other commitments that mean, I need to be at a certain place at a certain time. And so I started the experiment on the weekend, when I couldn't be more flexible. And yeah, I found myself waking up quite late. But I think there was a sort of like, as a result when I went to bed anything. And yeah, that was that was okay. But then in the week, I kind of struggled to do the experiment properly.
Darius Norell
So I don't know. I don't know what that means, Henry, because are you saying that you set the alarm? Someone would sneak into your room and set the alarm for you to highlight I don't know what to put pretty say didn't you kind of have to do the experiment. Did you do Did you?
Henry Dewar
Well, not really, I suppose like I yeah, I set an alarm. My idea was like, Oh, this is like an alarm that goes off as like an emergency because if I'm later than this, and I'll like throw off my whole day and bad things will happen. So by I was was woken up by the alarm. And so I guess in a way, it's like
Darius Norell
so you set the alarm? Yeah, as an emergency. And that's what woke you up.
Henry Dewar
Yeah.
Darius Norell
So how was that doing the experiment?
Henry Dewar
Why yes, that is not. And then I guess it's just, I feel like my situation makes it difficult to be able to do the experiment. And I feel like if I had a room where it wasn't noisy in the morning, then it would be easier to like wake up naturally because if you've been like jolted awake by like someone next door making loud noises is not really doing the experiment either.
Darius Norell
I'm trying to stay with you, but I'm struggling a little bit. What do you what what's your relationship to this experiment?
Henry Dewar
Pain! I didn't know. I just feel like there's too many annoying parts to it. I feel like it's too difficult to do. And it is too. I mean, I would like to do it. I would really like to be able to wake up naturally without an alarm. And at a time, that would be you know, good for my day. Great. But I just feel given my circumstances. ready?
Darius Norell
Okay, so let's go with that. So you would like to be able to do that to wake up without an alarm at a time that helps you be ready for your day. So how could you find out if that's possible for you?
Henry Dewar
Or by just not setting an alarm and having an intention to, you know, wake up kind of specific to specific time, you know, with energy, like you said before, and see what happens, which I did kind of do on the weekend. But I feel like, again, there were circumstances that meant that I may not necessarily be on best form in the morning. You know what I mean? So
Darius Norell
yeah, so, so you defined a really clear experiment, just now. Sounds great. Sounds totally aligned to you finding out and discovering this capacity in you or whether it's there or what happens? How do you feel about doing it?
Henry Dewar
I'm, I'm scared.
Darius Norell
Okay, so listen, let's talk about tomorrow. Yeah. If you ran the experiment tomorrow, what are you scared about?
Henry Dewar
I guess I just really like having a sort of consistent routine. And I'm just kind of feel like if the routine is select changed, then I get stressed from it.
Darius Norell
Okay, great. Totally about it totally. Well, well, well seen well articulated, have a lot to do this. And I notice there's something about having a routine and having that there that has me feel at ease. And then the kind of possibility that getting disrupted feels stressful. Yeah. Okay. Anything else that you can see, that might might be also showing up for you?
Henry Dewar
I will actually today, I woke up without an alarm. Because I forgot to set an alarm. And I woke up in sort of a state of like, fear or the anxiety, because like, oh, no, I've slept too much. Because it because it was quite light outside. And so it was sort of like, it felt like a rude awakening. Not similar, similar to if it wasn't an awakening from an alarm. And so I don't know, I just feel like, what would motivate me to wake up is like fear and anxiety. Yeah. Because I guess there's like a paw inside of me saying, Oh, you're gonna be late, and you're gonna be late that you have to get out, you know, and so it's just quite an uncomfortable experience.
Darius Norell
Okay, so is that is there is there a pressure or a fear that's coming from? So I can imagine this one some pressure you're putting on yourself, right? Or feet, like your own stuff, right? There may be some perceived pressure coming from me as your employer. I don't know. Is there any other source of fear outside of the menu?
Henry Dewar
Maybe past experiences affecting my current experience soon. And like before, I've been I overslept by like a long time and you know, like repercussions for that and so I you know, wouldn't want that to happen again. But I guess you know, is is a different situation now, but I guess it's still a sort of residual anxiety over like
Darius Norell
Great. Look, I want to acknowledge you for just seeing and articulating so clearly and precisely. It's a really great quality really great skill. Honestly, it's amazing and the doors are open for you right naming this stuff is is so would it be okay if I paid you to sleep Yes. So I'm just trying to do some radical reframe of if you oversleep tomorrow night, you don't want to do it but if you oversleep tomorrow, just consider that I'm paying you to sleep. Okay, so there's no you can't oversee because then you're just that's just that's what we've agreed is going to happen is that you're going to get paid for that.
Henry Dewar
Yeah. I feel like there's still be anxiety.
Darius Norell
Okay, what's the anxiety?
Henry Dewar
Yeah, I feel a lot of it is like a disruption to the routine. And I tend to like things being a certain way and great in my day to day life and when things get disrupted is quite self destruct disruptive inside as well.
Darius Norell
Yeah, good. Again, well seen, well said. So do you remember what we've what I've talked about as the antidote to anxiety? Not sure, anyone? What are we talking about? What have you heard me say? Maybe you haven't heard me say maybe it was in a different members in different sessions and - Harry, what have you got?
Harry McMullen
Curiosity?
Darius Norell
Yeah. Does that ring a bell?
Henry Dewar
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Darius Norell
So we can up the levels of curiosity. Right? And so just give it another day, if there's just anything displayed. We really curious like, oh, because essentially, what we're talking about is either being stuck with what you've got, right? Because if you're ever going to do an experiment, you don't know what's going to happen. And it might be disruptive. And that's totally valid, right? It's certainly totally valid to have that as a concern. And by upping the curiosity and making that the purpose, like, Oh, let me see what happens. Maybe there's a different state I can get to, which actually is more aligned, more supportive, that for the next years, I can get the benefit of so from some small disruption, or potential disruption, I'm gonna get potentially this huge benefit. And by being really curious about, Oh, I wonder what's going to happen? And it sounds like you were able to give yourself permission on the weekend. Yeah. Which maybe is less structured time anyway. And even though it's like, okay, it turned out differently. That's fine. It's all part of the experiment. Right? So just whether you can bring some curiosity or enough curiosity, okay, let's see what happens to her. I mean, today wasn't so bad. When he didn't have an alarm clock, even though wasn't the most exciting experience waking up. It sounds like a positive but you it was workable, right? Manageable. Yeah. Yes, yeah. So how are you feeling about about it now?
Henry Dewar
I kind of feel like it's like a leap of faith. I don't know what's going to happen. I guess it's just about having the sort of courage to do it. Yeah. But, yeah, I know. It's like, Yeah, I'm not sure.
Darius Norell
Great. Let's, let's hear for some others. And then I'm gonna check back in with you at the end. See, see if anything, where you're at? Who wants to share next?
Todd Wheatland
I'll go next.
Darius Norell
Yeah, thanks Todd.
Todd Wheatland
I think I said two or three. But it's just definitely lower now. Because I know that I didn't really do it properly because now it's been spelled out.
Darius Norell
Okay, great. Thank you for recalibrating. What score would you give yourself now?
Todd Wheatland
Like one or a half score?
Darius Norell
Okay, go on. Tell me what's what's behind the one
Todd Wheatland
So because I kept the alarm by sorting by move the goalposts of why would have the alarm as to like a bit later. So I definitely cheated with it. But I felt I did anyway, moving reason.
Darius Norell
Yeah, you can do whatever you want. So you moved your alarm clock later as a still as a backup emergency.
Todd Wheatland
If I woke up by a bit later, but I just had to deal with that.
Darius Norell
Okay, that was kind of my reasoning. Okay, so there's some constant consequence or jeopardy of not waking up. Okay. Great. And then so what did you find happened?
Todd Wheatland
Well, I woke up about the same time usually, or but because we were doing the experiment. If I woke up earlier, I would wake up.
Darius Norell
So you work. So you woke up the same time as if you'd had your alarm clock? As you normally have it? Is that right?
Todd Wheatland
Early a bit.
Darius Norell
okay. And your levels of energy, freshness, clarity, and the difference in that?
Todd Wheatland
I think when I woke up a little bit, because one thing that I struggle with in the mornings would be like eating early that I was able to do that a few times, which was quite good. And I felt a bit more energised doing that.
Darius Norell
brilliant so you notice a shift in behaviour shift and results of a time or appetite or appetite literally inclination and energy to eat? Did you set an intention?
Todd Wheatland
Of how do you mean sorry?
Darius Norell
of how you wanted to wake up or when you wanted to wake up? Did you have a clear kind of given instruction to your brain?
Todd Wheatland
will just the usual time was kind of what I was aiming for. So the good time that I have in the morning to get work, get to work, get ready for work, and stuff.
Darius Norell
Lovely. So it sounds like you were waking up at a at the time that you intended. More or less.
Todd Wheatland
Yeah.
Darius Norell
Did you ever need your alarm clock?
Todd Wheatland
No, I think in the weekend, I just have allowed myself to wake up later. It didn't really matter because I have a set time during the week and I would have had to use it.
Darius Norell
great so how will you feel feeling about not using your alarm clock? In the Yeah, like Yeah.
Todd Wheatland
I think definitely like a bit of confidence. But if there was something like I really urgently had to do that, I'd probably be more sort of likely to use it still might not quite at that level yet.
Darius Norell
So let's, let's imagine the coming week. How would you feel about not using your alarm clock?
Todd Wheatland
Yeah I'd like to keep doing it like this, but there's ever I had a job interview really early on something else than I'd probably be more inclined to use my alarm still.
Darius Norell
Great. So So given that that's not the case at the moment, as far as I know, for this coming week, yeah. How would you feel about not using it?
Todd Wheatland
Yeah, I'm going to continue.
Darius Norell
When you say continue that makes me nervous. Because you've been using your alarm clock.
Todd Wheatland
Okay. Yeah. Yeah, I can do that. And yeah.
Darius Norell
Is that something you'd like to do?
Todd Wheatland
Yeah, start doing that. Yeah.
Darius Norell
Lovely. Okay, thanks. Sorry, go on.
Todd Wheatland
I think just cos I have not been like, free without it. Like, you know, I wouldn't be like massively confident. Definitely be willing to try it still.
Darius Norell
Sounds good. Anything else you want to ask or clarify?
Todd Wheatland
No, I think that's everything from what I've heard so far from Henry and Alex as well.
Darius Norell
Lovely. Okay, he wants to go next. Thank you, Casey.
Casey White
So yeah, I didn't really start off on the best foot with it, because I kind of forgot to take my alarm off the first couple of days. And so yeah, there was a bit of feeling of like, guilt or regret around that. And then, but I did put my alarm off. I was waking up slightly earlier, but I was still sleeping in. And that sort of made me feel worse for having slept in my body to actually get up.
Darius Norell
It's a little bit faint so I just want to make sure I heard it correctly. So you've you sort of forgot about the experimental bit. The first day or two etc. Yeah, the first few days you left? Yeah, first few days. And then and then you turn it off and then you you would wake up slightly earlier. But when stay in bed? Yeah. And then you felt worse about that. Or you felt and you felt worse. Is that right? Yeah. Great. So yeah, reflections on that experience and what's what's what are you thinking about it?
Casey White
Yeah, that was just like to sort of set an intention around it. I feel like that sort of that didn't help. I didn't have that behind it.
Darius Norell
Great. What can you can you Is it clear what intention you might set?
Casey White
I think yeah, just listening to my body when it's like time to get up. Like no matter what the time if I think it's too late or too early or whatever.
Darius Norell
So that would be one commitment is when I wake up, I'm gonna get up. That sounds Yeah, and then what's the intent? How would you like to be feeling or what would you what's the intention you have for when you're when you're waking up? Or how you're waking up?
Casey White
I dunno really, just yeah, hopefully feel more energised?
Darius Norell
Yeah, great. Does it sound does it seem odd to be talking about it? I mean, I don't know if that means not a typical thing we talk about how does it How does it seem to even talk about it?
Casey White
Yeah, that's strange. I think it's just I think it's something that's like, obviously, personal speech of us.
Darius Norell
Intention is up to you. Yeah. So I mean, you know, to disclose like, for me, I would like to wake up feeling energised, clear, ready for the day. That's, that's my intention for myself doesn't mean everyone can set their own intention, intention and ongoing but that's for me. You know, if I've got a choice, yes, I would. That would be my choice. So how are you feeling about continuing the experiment? Casey?
Casey White
Um, yeah, I'd like to give it like, a bit more of a try. And just because I did also set some, like, professional alarms from a crash my alarm, but on a few days. So maybe take this
Darius Norell
Yeah, so this is all about being a part of this experiment is around sending really clear instructions to your brain. When your brain sees you setting the alarm or a safety alarm, it gets confused. Oh, don't you trust me? Well, I thought we was waking up on myself. But you've got you know, taking that safety net away is a really important part of this experiment. So you're up for that? Yeah. Great. Anything else you want to ask about it?
Casey White
No, I don't think so.
Darius Norell
All right. Harry?
Harry McMullen
Yeah, sorry, I gave myself a four. Because I didn't set an alarm, or provisional alarm, and the whole time. But I didn't track "Oh, today I had this result. And then the next day I had this result", and I can compare. But generally, I didn't fail to meet any of my commitments, because I'd slept in because I hadn't set an alarm. So that thing I might have been afraid of didn't happen, which was good. And, yeah, I felt energised every day, most days, I was because I was quite clear about this is what I want to get done with my day tomorrow, in whatever order that that happens, or to whatever standard like this is what I'm trying to achieve. Yeah, I was able to kind of map out or it will be useful to get up sort of no later than this time. And so without being too specific about, it's definitely going to be eight o'clock. You know, for now, it's not going to be later than half past dates, could be eight could be quarter past, it could be seven doesn't matter. It's just just as long as I don't sleep past this kind of set and thing and imposed. And I never did, which was good. One thing that I did notice was because I kept it up the rest of this week, that the seven days we did it as the experiment. Those are my findings. And then more recently, this week, I've started going back to sleep after I've initially woken up, and I've started sleeping later. And I think part of it is this thing of intention and motivation I felt during the seven days of the experiment. Yeah, I want to get up and do all the things that I'm planning to do today. And then as things have changed in the last couple of days, and I've had different things in the work things and other things going on, I've felt more reluctant to go and have the day I know I've got in front of me, I've found that it's harder to get out of bed. So it's not impossible. And I don't feel like I'm gonna have to set an alarm otherwise, I'm not gonna get up. But I've noticed my energy is different. Not for them how much sleep I get when I go to sleep when I wake up, but just what I know is in front of me the next day is the biggest has the biggest effect on my energy when I get up.
Darius Norell
So let me let me send it to that because it doesn't, because what you're saying didn't doesn't sound all these I can't make sense of what you're saying.
Harry McMullen
Sick. Brilliant, right?
Darius Norell
So so this, as you said, you don't feel like these are two different things. Yeah, the first thing I heard was, Oh, when I was doing the experiment, then I had these results. And then when I wasn't doing the experiment, even that was right away, even when we went out of the experiment period, even though I was doing the same thing. I got different results.
Harry McMullen
Yeah. Yeah. Great. So I can see how you heard that. And also, I wasn't holding in my head really strongly "This is the day that the experiment ends. And then this is the day" - because also I've been doing it before the seven days.
Darius Norell
It was just that was the period that was the period of time. Yeah. So you're saying you were noticing that. let's say the last few days, what you had to work on somehow you think your brain, body was interpreting as less exciting, energising. And that was then a factor in the levels of energy that you woke up with?
Harry McMullen
Yeah.
Darius Norell
Does that seem accurate in terms of looking at it, and maybe it was looking last few days versus last week, or does that seem accurate?
Yeah.
Okay, so what's the what's the insight or takeaway from that?
Harry McMullen
I think that - so before I was doing this, I had an alarm clock because I had this fear of, I'm not going to do the right thing tomorrow. The right thing to do would be to get up at this time. Either because I have a meeting at this time. And so I want to be ready for that. Or, you know, the productive people I follow on Instagram get up at four o'clock. So if I don't get up at least six o'clock, I'm a terrible person. And that was what was motivating how I started each day. And now I'm not necessarily going "I'm a much more productive person" or whatever, or kind of copping to that standard. But now I'm in the habit of getting up, just based on what I need, based on what I've got to do. Yeah, everything is motivated by what I'm doing, rather than, you know, some kind of fear or some kind of anxiety or shame or whatever. So I feel more in control, I feel more in control. And, weirdly, by taking off the control of I'm going to have an alarm clock wake me up. Where it makes my brain go next is I'm like, I want to know, if I can get even more kind of intentional and get even more specific about when I get up. And especially right now, there's a lot of things about how I'm spending my time, I think I'm spending my time well, but I don't feel like it's what I want to do, right? I feel I wish things were different. And I can't make them different. So I'm kind of just trying to make the best one, I've got something working even can I get as specific as just because I want to, I want to get up at 829 Tomorrow, and just see what that does to my day. If I if my brain woke me up at 829, the next day, I would at least be looking in the mirror and feeling like I'm seeing somebody who really got their stuff together, if nothing else, and so I'm wondering like, Oh, is that? Is that the next experiment that I want to do? Can I get really specific, like a 10 minute window or a two minute window and see what happens?
Darius Norell
Beautiful. So I love that thing. It's a lovely, lovely sort of iteration of the experiment of is, can I set a specific time and wake up at that time, literally to the minute, I think there's nothing it's a great thing to play with. If you want to play with that. I'd love to offer something else. That I don't know if this is speaking exactly to what you're talking about. But it may do which is thinking of something that's really exciting and motivating. That's going to happen in your day. Or at least ensuring there is something like one thing may not be the whole day. But okay, is there one thing that like, wow, that's gonna be a great thing to be ready and excited and fresh foreign have a good night's sleep for an antenna. So just have that clear before you go to sleep. What do you think?
Harry McMullen
Yeah. That sounds cool. I think what I'd like to how I'd like to interpret that is, knowing what I've gotten happening in the next day, like, what is it that's really exciting about it, rather than like, Oh, I'm gonna die. I'm gonna get an ice cream tomorrow night until I get up for my ice cream. I'm thinking about well, I know that I'm going to, I don't know, I know that I'm going to have lunch. Like, what am I going to do with my lunch? It's really fun, right? Or I'm going to walk the dog like, Can I really appreciate this fresh air in my lungs and like, other dogs and whatever, whatever. Like, how can I make the best of what I've got look forward to. Great.
Darius Norell
All right, we're coming to the close, Henry coming back to you. Where are you at having having sort of digested this and
Henry Dewar
I'm feeling a little more curious. Just to see what will happen. And yeah, I definitely want to try and set a good intention and quite specific. Because I do remember before I used to do sometimes I'd be like, Oh, tomorrow I'm waking up and you know, just just like a very specific time. And then I did actually wake up at that exact time the next morning. And it just felt like some kind of magic things. I guess I'll try and do that again and see what happens.
Darius Norell
Beautiful. It is magic. Oh, it feels like magic. Right and yeah, so discovering that magic and having a few giving yourself a few days a week to do that is fantastic, right to kind of build that reconnect with that part of yourself that I'm claiming as possible and you've already experienced anyway and some What I'm with and the reason I'm excited about it is that something else also opens up when that channels open. We get get all sorts of other information about, oh, I need to do this, or I shouldn't I don't need to do that, or sensing. I'm Alex, I'm gonna make this up that, hey, there's the buses aren't there's something up with the buses today? Without even knowing it, right? You just notice, hey, I need to leave now. Right? So there's just you become in touch with with much more information. That's what I'm claiming. But that's another. That's the, we'll get to that piece if you want to. Let's let's stay with this. So it sounds like if I'm interpreting correctly, everyone's up for continuing to have that. I'm not sort of jumping anyone into that. I'm seeing nodding. So should we should we got a couple of days left this week? We got next week. So should we gather again in sort of 10 days time also to do another check in? And, yes, I mean, you can hear the kinds of questions I'm inquiring into. So notice, yeah, I mean, really, genuinely interested in what are you noticing how you feeling? What's happening? Is life going better was that we can be on a shared, shared inquiry into into that. All right. Well, look, I want to acknowledge you all for sharing so openly, fully being up for the ride. And yeah, again, really curious about how you get on these next two weeks or so. All right, I think that takes us to the end of this session. And yeah, looking forward to the next one.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
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