Own the Day, Own Your Life Book Summary (5 Lessons)

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Are you looking to take control of your life and make the most of each day?

Then one book that can help is Own the Day, Own Your Life by Aubrey Marcus.

From waking up refreshed, and enjoying a nutritious breakfast, to working and training more efficiently, Marcus promises to guide you toward feeling more fulfilled and in control of your life.

But is this book worth checking out?

In this post, we’ll provide a brief summary of what you’ll learn with an emphasis on how to transform your daily routines and habits.

Furthermore, we’ll highlight 5 lessons you can learn from Own the Day, Own Your Life.

Now, if you’d like to check out the book, you can read it on your Kindle, get a print copy, or listen to the audiobook.

Or, if you prefer to watch instead of read, here's the video version of this article:

Okay, let’s get started.

Table of Contents

Lesson #1: Own The Basics

All that separates the best from the rest is a mastery of the basics.

The first lesson in Own the Day, Own Your Life is to master all the things you have to do in a normal 24-hour day.

Marcus separates this into the following:

Your morning routine.
Your daily nutrition and hydration.
Proper movement and exercise.

Here’s the blueprint for a great morning routine:

Hydration: Begin your day by drinking water. Your body is dehydrated after a long night's sleep, so it's important to rehydrate with at least 16 ounces of water.
Sunlight Exposure: Get outside and expose yourself to natural sunlight. This helps regulate your circadian rhythm and supports your overall mood and energy levels.
Breathing Exercises: Practice deep, intentional breathing for a few minutes in the morning. This helps reduce stress and increases focus and mental clarity.

And as a side note, if you’d like to learn more about this topic, then watch our video about the 12 morning habits of the world’s most successful people.

Now…

For daily nutrition, Marcus recommends:

Balanced Meals: Aim for nutrient-dense meals containing a mix of protein, healthy fats, and high-quality carbohydrates. Consider including foods such as avocados, eggs, fruit, leafy greens, and nuts.
Stay Hydrated: Keep a water bottle with you throughout the day and aim to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.
Supplements: Incorporate beneficial supplements like fish oil, magnesium, and vitamin D3, as needed, after consulting with a healthcare professional.

Finally, for movement and exercise, Marcus offers these guidelines:

Short Breaks: Take short breaks from sitting throughout the day to stretch and walk around. This can help improve circulation and reduce muscle fatigue.
Exercise: Aim to incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, most days of the week.
Strength Training: Include strength training exercises, like bodyweight exercises or weight lifting, to build muscle and increase overall strength.

Lesson #2: Focus on Your Mental & Emotional Health

An often neglected part of our lives is understanding the importance of good mental and emotional health.

So in this area, Marcus recommends the following:

Mindfulness Practices

The book emphasizes the importance of incorporating meditation and breathing exercises into your daily routine.

To start, dedicate a few minutes each day to simply focus on your breath. As you inhale and exhale, work on clearing your mind of any distractions or intrusive thoughts.

own the day own your life book summary | own the day own your life aubrey marcus | own the day own your life book — The book emphasizes the importance of incorporating meditation and breathing exercises into your daily routine.

Aside from meditation, mindfulness can also be cultivated through activities like yoga, tai chi, or even going for a walk in nature.

These practices encourage you to stay present, fully engaged in the moment, and create a sense of peace and balance in your life.

This takes us to the next piece of advice:

In Own the Day, Own Your Life, Marcus emphasizes the importance of nurturing your social connections.

Building strong relationships with friends, family members, and loved ones has a significant positive impact on your mental and emotional well-being.

To make the most of your social interactions, try these tips:

Maintain regular contact with people who matter to you
Offer support and encouragement to those around you
Engage in meaningful conversations that promote connection
Participate in activities and events that foster a sense of community

By focusing on improving your mental and emotional wellbeing through mindfulness practices and harnessing your social connections, you're setting the foundation for living a more fulfilling and balanced life.

Remember that these practices should become part of your daily routine. Over time, you will notice their positive impact on your overall well-being.

Now, let’s look at:

Lesson #3: Productivity and Time Management

Marcus states in the book that productivity and time management can be boiled down into two ideas: Optimizing your work habits and balancing your work and personal life.

Here are major ideas to optimize your work habits:

Break down big and complex tasks into smaller and simpler tasks.

This is one of the most time-tested productivity tools that we know of. It prevents procrastination and overwhelm by making gigantic and intimidating tasks into easy bite-size chunks, and it helps you understand where to begin and what your next steps are.

You can also try the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for a set period (usually 25 minutes), take a short break, and then start the next work session.

For more on this, watch our video which explains the Pomodoro Technique in detail.

Another piece of advice is to remove distractions and create a dedicated workspace. By minimizing interruptions and maintaining a clean, organized workspace, you'll find it easier to focus on your tasks.
To further enhance your productivity, establish clear goals and prioritize them based on their importance and deadlines.

Now let’s look at how to balance your work and personal life:

own the day aubrey marcus | own the day book summary | own the day own your life by aubrey marcus — Productivity and time management can be boiled down into two ideas: Optimizing your work habits and balancing your work and personal life.

Marcus stresses the importance of setting boundaries between your professional and personal life, such as disconnecting from work emails or calls during personal time.

One way to achieve this balance is by scheduling time for self-care and hobbies. Make sure you have moments of relaxation and leisure activities such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with family and friends.
Ensuring you get an adequate amount of rest will not only help your productivity during working hours but also contribute to your overall health and happiness.

This brings us along nicely to:

Lesson #4: Optimize Your Sleep

In “Own the Day, Own Your Life,” Marcus frequently emphasizes the importance of recovery and restoration in optimizing your health and well-being.

Mostly, recovery and restoration come from good-quality sleep which allows your body to rejuvenate all its cells properly.

The book recommends you follow these steps to get a better night's rest:

Establish a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
Create a relaxing bedtime routine, such as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing mindfulness meditation.
Make your sleep environment comfortable by having a supportive mattress, keeping the room at a cool temperature, and minimizing noise and light.

And finally, let’s talk about…

Lesson #5: Optimize Your Recovery

In addition to prioritizing sleep, Marcus suggests using supplemental techniques to enhance recovery and restoration.

These methods can help to reduce stress, relieve muscle tension, and improve overall well-being. Some effective supplemental techniques include:

Foam rolling: this self-massage technique can help to release muscle tension and improve flexibility. Use a foam roller to apply gentle pressure to tight muscles, focusing on areas such as your back, legs, and hips.
Cold showers or ice baths: exposing your body to cold temperatures can boost circulation, reduce inflammation, and enhance recovery. Start with 30 seconds of cold exposure and gradually increase the duration as you adapt to the sensation.
Dynamic stretching: incorporating dynamic stretches into your daily routine can help to improve flexibility, increase blood flow, and reduce the risk of injury. Examples include leg swings, arm circles, and torso twists.

By focusing on these aspects of recovery and restoration, you can optimize your health and wellness, making it easier to own your day and own your life.

aubrey marcus | own the day own your life book | own the day own your life review — Recovery and restoration come from good-quality sleep which allows your body to rejuvenate all its cells properly.

Remember to listen to your body, adjust these practices as needed, and prioritize self-care as a vital part of your daily routine.

Final Thoughts on Own the Day, Own Your Life by Aubrey Marcus

In “Own the Day, Own Your Life,” Aubrey Marcus offers practical advice to help you optimize your daily routine and improve your overall quality of life.

This book is all about doing the basics right and then allowing these solid foundations to lead you to greater success in your life.

Now, as a reminder, if you’d like to check out the book, you can read it on your Kindle, get a print copy, or listen to the audiobook.

And if you want to check out another book summary, then watch our video about the 5 lessons you can learn from Atomic Habits by James Clear.

And if you're looking for more articles on different books, be sure to check out these blog posts: