Sahil Parikh
Sahil Parikh is an author, web entrepreneur, and the founder of Synage Software, a technology company that successfully pioneered one of India’s first home-grown software as a service products in 2007.
What is your morning routine?
I don’t have a strict morning routine. I usually like to go with the flow and tend to work when I am most motivated, so right now there are often times when I am up late into the night getting stuff done for Synage’s new product, Brightpod.
That said, I prefer to get a workout first thing in the morning – I consider it an investment in myself. On the days I practice Krav Maga I am up by 6:30am. After my class I spend a few minutes checking two of my three mailboxes (feel compelled to since I am in the web business) and help my wife get my daughter ready for school. Once they have left, I sit for some Indian chai, breakfast and scan the news real quick.
If I am in the mood to write I jot down a few things, otherwise I sit and plan my day in Teux Deux. This helps my flow of thoughts throughout the day.
There are sometimes days when I head up to my terrace and just stare at the Arabian Sea and let thoughts flow into my mind – sort of like meditation but with my eyes open.
By 10:00am I’m mostly ready to head to the office.
How long have you stuck with this routine so far?
Like I said, I don’t have a set routine. I go with the flow. After reading The Power of Habit book I thought I would build a routine. However, this didn’t work out. Routines are boring and they feel monotonous. Instead, I focus on getting myself organised so I feel in control.
How has your morning routine changed over recent years?
It changes every week!
On the nights that we have a social engagement or if I know I’ll be working late, I usually wake up an hour or so later. On the days that I have Krav Maga I am up much earlier.
Funnily, there have been times on a Sunday when I am up at 6:30am jotting down some notes on my latest blog post.
What time do you go to sleep?
There is no fixed time but usually between 11:00pm and midnight, unless we are engrossed watching Suits, Newsroom or House of Cards :)
Do you use an alarm to wake you up in the morning, and if so do you ever hit the snooze button?
I use Rise on my iPhone. I think I have used the snooze button, but only when I was an undergrad.
Do you have a morning workout routine?
Yes, twice a week I practice Krav Maga. The other days I go for a short run around my neighborhood.
Once the monsoons end, I am planning to start golf again – tee off at around 6:30am. The golf course is just beautiful then.
Do you see to email first thing in the morning or leave it until later in the day?
I usually avoid checking mail until after my workout. I would love to get to it later but it just never happens.
However I have disabled push notifications for email; I want to be in control of when I check mail, not the other way around.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning, either for calls/messages or social media and news?
When I switch off my alarm and go to the home screen, I’ll see if I have any missed calls and messages.
I never, ever check social media in the morning, but I do consume a bit of news on my iPad. I prefer not to read stuff on my phone in the mornings.
What and when is your first drink in the morning?
Warm water with a date.
What do you do if you fail to follow your routine, and how does this influence the rest of your day?
I feel a bit sluggish if I skip my morning workout, but everything else can be shuffled around.
A workout followed by breakfast keeps me going until the end of the day.
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