#15 My Secret Weapon: Victory Hour

25 October 2020 - 08:39 BY Louw

My Secret Weapon: Victory Hour

Why do I still have socks on? It’s like 30 degrees Celsius outside. Oh, I didn’t want to make the wet floor dirty with my bare feet. I have long leg hair…

This extremely “all over the place” conversation happened as I was standing in front of my desk ready to write this post. See! Our minds jump from one idea to another thought to another and back to the same idea all happening when I actually should be busy writing and getting to the point of this whole exercise.

Precisely for this reason, I realized a few years ago I might have that stereotypical artist brain where my curious mind jumps from one thought to the next, and when I get back to “reality” it’s time to do something else. Never accomplishing what I intended to.

So, I read a few books to help me be more effective with my creativity and to use it more intentionally. What I discovered changed my life: The Victory Hour.

Robin Sharma, in his book The 5am Club, speak about how getting a daily routine to create positive habits can transform your life. Listen, I’m the first person to second guess these self-help theories, but I’m always open to execute them and to see if they work. Oh damn, this Victory Hour has become one of the most valuable habits in my life. Why?

What is the first thing you do when you wake-up? The way you start your day is the trajectory of how your day can unfold. Sometimes things happen, and that changes everything but for the most part, you have a responsibility and a CHOICE to decide how your day will start and then unfold.

If you can set up the start of your day with a solid foundation that means the rest of your day won’t be shaky and all over the place but rather much more intentional, calm, productive, creative and filled with purpose. I promise you you’ll get way more done than your peers, guaranteed. Most of your peers will be in search of a quick rush of dopamine and go in Instagram, Facebook, or reply on Whatsapp groups, look at gif’s sent to them or watch Netflix… Everything except what truly will add to their life and career as an actor.

Tool: The Victory Hour is split up in 3 sections of 20 min each.

First 20min MOVE: exercise – own bodyweight training, yoga, stretch exercises, a walk in the sun, sprints… anything that gets the blood flowing.

The second 20min REFLECT: quiet time – prayer, spiritual reading, meditation, journal, think deeply.

The third 20min GROW: Read books on acting, listen to podcasts, audiobooks, review goals, study online or do an online course.

This helped me nourish my instrument, which is my body and my mind as an actor. My body stays fit and healthy, improved creativity, awareness and gratefulness, and lastly, I improved on my craft and skills daily. It cultivated an Olympic Athlete’s perspective when it comes to my craft = daily exercising and working on my craft.

I do this every single day of my life. No excuses. Even when I travel. You’ll see, it has such a positive and prosperous impact on your life, you’ll want to keep doing this no matter what. I experiment and explore some days switching it up, but I always keep my first hour of every morning for my Victory Hour split up in 3 sections of 20min each.

“I say luck is when an opportunity comes along and you’re prepared for it” ~Denzel Washington

How did you find the technique/tool/advice? Did it work for you? What was different this time? Share with the tribe and let’s keep on creating beautiful, honest and memorable performances. Let’s execute our best selves!

Kind regards

Edwin van der Walt

#15 My Secret Weapon: Victory Hour

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