How do you spend the first five minutes of the day? There is no better time than morning to put yourself on the ground and set the tone for the day to prepare your body and mind. And since we only have about 25,000 mornings in adult life, it’s time to take stock. Ours A call to wake up series, we take a look inside the morning routines of the people we admire to inspire our AM rituals and walk our best. Below, the founder and CEO Clara Paintings, Nicole Gibbonsmorning routine.
If you want to change your place, nothing is more transformative paint. The image of a brush with a bold or modest stretch can create a new atmosphere and, with it, a new perspective. That’s what Nicole Gibbons did, but instead of a wall, she took a roll in her career, becoming the head of PR and speech. HGTV and Good morning in America founder and CEO of Clare—The direct consumer business, which aims to eliminate the “pain of painting”.
With a modern take on color and fashion, Gibbons has successfully disrupted the comfort and simplicity of the consumer paint industry for digitally driven generations. The top media continue to look for work and specialization as designers and entrepreneurs Oprah Winfrey network, TLC, Rachael Ray show, Elle Decor, Beautiful house, and Better houses and gardens“And it’s easy to see why!”
Continue reading to learn how Gibbons ’AM rituals were successful, what a typical day is like, its simple beauty routine and much more.
9 to 1
What is a typical day for you?
Because my days in my forties are much more common and monotonous, I work from home and leave only for unavoidable reasons. I live in a one bedroom apartment in NYC and my living room is my office.
I’m usually at my “desk” (as well as the dining room table) and my day is full of videos and phone calls and I have an hour or two free each day to retrieve correspondence and do focus work.
Usually, though, I go down from my “work day” around 6 or 7 p.m., fix my dinner, and then do more in-depth focusing work at night when I’m distracted.
What time is your wake-up call? How much sleep do you usually have?
I usually wake up around 7am during the week and on weekends at 9am. My body works like clockwork. I rarely need an alarm and I almost always wake up at those points.
9 to 2
What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
It’s a very bad habit to try to break it, but I check my phone notifications!
What is the morning job like before work? What rituals set you up for success?
Making coffee is definitely a ritual I enjoy. I recently started a stretching routine that feels really good. I use an app called aaptiv for quick and guided stretching routines that help me start my day. Another ritual, as strange as it may seem, is that I clean the kitchen every morning. I’ve been cooking a lot since I’ve been home all day, so there should always be dishes, sometimes a nightly dinner mess. It becomes a daily ritual that helps me start my day with a boost of productivity.
9 to 3
What do you eat for breakfast?
I don’t have breakfast every day but I always make a latte with bed or almond milk. Once or twice a week I prepare a small breakfast, usually mixed with a single egg or cashew yogurt with berries. I like it Cashew milk yogurt and have been testing a Commercial Coffee subscription. This the espresso mix is my favorite and I like it this French roast dripping for coffee. I love the dark and daring burn.
How has morning habit changed during quarantine and why?
My routine is now longer and more enjoyable. I no longer have to go to work or rush to get to the point.
When I walk into the office every morning I get to stop a little longer than usual.
9 to 4
Describe your morning beauty routine from start to finish.
My beauty routine maintenance is pretty low. I struggled with cystic acne a couple of years ago and now I have a very simple and lighter skin routine that includes three or four products plus minimal makeup. First, I will clean it up The Inkey List salicylic cleanser. I use it if my skin is covered Paula’s Choice BHA liquid exfoliant but I don’t use it every day. Then I use it Niacinamide serum key list then Versed sunscreen if I plan to go outside, or if I plan to keep my face oil on the house.
My makeup is usually a tinted moisturizer or light foundation and then I use a tan as a blush and eye shadow. I also use mask and brow rooms. My hair is usually a low-maintenance hairstyle, like a small loaf of bread or a braided style.
What are your morning media rituals?
I disapprove of Apple news and Yahoo finance news headlines and my twitter feed. And I usually check IG notifications in the morning.
9ko 5
What are your favorite books?
I listen to books that are audible and I’m listening to them right now (and I love them) Problematic professional problem: Handbook of the Fighter of Fear Made by Luvvie Ajayi.
What do you always have to ensure a smooth and successful morning at the night table?
There’s nothing I use on my desk at AM … maybe except my phone!
9 to 6
What is your favorite soundtrack?
Usually hip hop and something like Meghan Thee Stallion!
Do you train in the morning?
I haven’t managed to make working during the pandemic a priority, but now that I’m preparing to return to the real world I’m changing that. I started taking steps as a child on the way to building a new workout routine and so far I have been working to facilitate 20-30 minute yoga restoration flows using aaptiv, in addition to fast cardio workouts with a stepped mini ladder.
9 to 7 p.m.
What is your daily uniform?
My daily routine is always comfortable no matter what quarantine, but from the forties onwards I have taken that comfort to the next level.
I basically live with leggings and sweat suits, but I try to keep the tops colorful because I’m constantly on video calls — I have good pop color!
If you had one more hour every morning, how would you use it?
I would do more exercise!
9 to 8
What are one or two things you do every day to make your life more present, thoughtful, and joyful?
The second time I get into stress or anxiety I do deep breathing exercises to refocus myself.
I also use a meditation app called Simple habit. I don’t use it every day but I love it. Simple habits market themselves as “meditation for those who are busy”, and their focus is on fast and guided audio meditation routines. Meditation certainly helps me feel more energized.
If you were to determine your success at some point or moment, what would that be?
Lots of time, work and preparation, good relationships and a little luck.
9 to 9 p.m.
Sentence endings:
I’ve never left home … my watch.
If there were more hours a day, I would … sleep more.
The healthiest morning habit: a good stretch and a glass of lemon water.
Worst morning habit: multiple cups of coffee!
It’s something I want to know … creating the best place to buy paint!
The only thing I fear most is … leaving others down.
When I feel that fear, I … work hard to prevent this from happening!
This is the book I always recommend … Hard thing about hard stuff By the hand of Ben Horowitz. A great read for anyone starting a startup.
These are the three characteristics you need to succeed in life … problem, luck and critical thinking skills to help solve any problem.
Bath or shower? And what is your favorite shower / bath product? Shower. I am very basic. I use Trader Joes or Whole Foods 365 body wash. The smells of citrus are my jam.
