My Daily Routine - Expectation Vs Reality - Shannon Cason's Homemade

Summary

Shannon Cason's Homemade: Episode Summary
Episode Title: My Daily Routine - Expectation Vs Reality
Release Date: January 11, 2024

Introduction: Setting the Stage for Routine Reflection

In the episode "My Daily Routine - Expectation Vs Reality," Shannon Cason delves into the universal struggle of maintaining an ideal daily schedule amidst the unpredictability of real life. Drawing from his personal experiences and professional insights as a storyteller, Shannon provides an honest and humorous exploration of his intended routines versus what actually unfolds each day.

1. Morning Rituals: The Battle Between Intention and Action

Expectation:
Shannon aims to kickstart his day early, waking up between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM, dedicating the first moments to sunlight exposure and setting a positive tone. "The second thing I do after I wake up is I make a beeline for sunlight," Shannon shares (02:15).

Reality:
Despite consistent efforts, Shannon admits, "Sometimes that shit doesn't happen" (04:30). Approximately 60% of the time, he successfully follows through, striving to reach an 80% success rate. On days when the morning motivation falters, he finds himself lingering in bed, scrolling through TikTok and Instagram reels instead of meditating and visualizing his day.

Notable Quote:
"In reality, I may still be on the pillow looking at YouTube videos. I may have graduated from the TikTok and Instagram to full on YouTube videos in that rabbit hole." (05:10)

2. Crafting the Day: Planning vs. Postponing

Expectation:
Post-sunlight, Shannon intends to utilize apps like Envision to meditate and create a actionable schedule for the day. "My intention while I'm walking or drinking coffee is to make a rough schedule for myself for the day," he explains (08:00).

Reality:
The digital allure often derails his plans. Shannon candidly discusses how initial productivity can be overshadowed by lingering in the digital realm: "But in reality, I may still be on the pillow looking at YouTube videos." (05:10). Nevertheless, once he does rise and make his first cup of coffee, he commits to his plans, albeit sometimes just by making another cup instead of advancing his schedule.

Notable Quote:
"I would take the Green Line to Lake and Cicero. [...] Now I've learned my lesson since then. That was like 20 years ago." (03:55)

3. Work and Productivity: Juggling Multiple Roles

Shannon outlines his diverse professional engagements, highlighting his roles as a producer, creator, storyteller, and consultant. His daily tasks vary from working on client projects, collaborating on podcasts, engaging in voiceover work, and pursuing documentary ventures.

Expectation:
He sets multiple goals, aiming to tackle tasks methodically, such as, "If I finish recording this script, I can go get more coffee," (12:00) or rewarding himself with a walk or relaxation upon task completion.

Reality:
Despite his structured intentions, deadlines often loom, pushing him to “wait until the last minute to hit all my deadlines.” Shannon humorously admits, "I'll wait until the last minute to hit all my deadlines. That's what I would do." (13:45), showcasing the common procrastination many listeners can relate to.

Notable Quote:
"I don't know what the I do sometimes I'm working on projects for various clients." (10:30)

4. Me Time and Leisure: Balancing Work with Personal Life

Expectation:
Around noon, Shannon reserves time just for himself—engaging in activities like watching reality TV, completing household chores, or enjoying simple snacks like boiled eggs and pistachios.

Reality:
His concept of "me time" often naturally aligns with how he actually spends these moments: "In reality, me time is what I was doing anyway. So I just keep doing me time." (16:00). This reflects his acceptance that personal time doesn't always adhere to strict schedules but still serves as a necessary balance to his work responsibilities.

Notable Quote:
"I usually eat later in the day, but maybe I eat some boiled eggs or pistachios or some sardines." (15:15)

5. Fitness and Health: Striving for Consistency

Expectation:
By 2:00 PM, Shannon intends to hit the gym at LA Fitness, following a structured workout regimen devised by his trainer, Devon—the Black Prospector. "I work out at LA Fitness. I walk to the gym," he shares (18:00).

Reality:
The workout remains a steadfast part of his routine, providing not only physical benefits but also social connections. Shannon recounts meeting a kindred spirit at the gym who offered him a foot massage, emphasizing the community aspect: "You make a lot of great relationships at the gym. You should really join your neighborhood gym." (20:00).

Notable Quote:
"I've been no fat for the past 20 years. A total monk mode 20 years now." (19:30)

6. Evening Dynamics: Prime Time Missteps

Expectation:
Evenings, particularly between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, are designated as "Prime Time," a period Shannon aims to utilize for productivity—brainstorming ideas, creating content, and catching up on projects: "Prime Time. In reality, I'm using my prime time to watch reruns of the Sopranos." (24:30).

Reality:
This intended productivity often gives way to leisure activities, such as binge-watching TV shows, engaging in social media interactions, and indulging in snacks: "All while I'm watching Tick Tock. All while I'm messaging two different women on Bumble and Hinge." (25:20). Despite these diversions, Shannon remains self-aware and humorously acknowledges his deviations from the plan.

Notable Quote:
"All while I'm texting my mom and my ex wife. All while I'm eating chocolate and Twizzlers." (26:10)

7. Winding Down: Transitioning to Rest

Expectation:
By 9:00 PM, Shannon plans to wind down, aiming to be asleep by 10:00 PM. His wind-down routine includes watching curated TV marathons, such as Godzilla movies or westerns featuring Clint Eastwood.

Reality:
Though he aspires to stick to his bedtime, reality sometimes sees him immersed in multiple activities simultaneously, maintaining a light-hearted tone about his nighttime habits: "After 10pm I'm in dream world. [...] But I'm working to make my daily routine expectations more of a reality." (29:00).

Notable Quote:
"Hey Paris. Hey Sasha. Hey ladies. I'm dating. You've been naughty, naughty girls." (29:45)

8. Personal Anecdotes: Lessons from the Past

Shannon reflects on his earlier life experiences, particularly his disciplined mornings tied to his old job in Chicago. He reminisces about long commutes and personal compromises, such as taking public transportation to accommodate his first wife's preferences: "My first wife would insist on taking the car even though she had like a little short ride to work." (03:00). These stories illustrate his growth over the past two decades, emphasizing the evolution of his daily routines and personal discipline.

Notable Quote:
"That was like 20 years ago. When I wake up at 5am I expect to use this time for meditation and visualization." (04:00)

Conclusion: Embracing Imperfection

Shannon Cason wraps up the episode with a candid acknowledgment of his attempts to align expectations with reality. "But I'm working to make my daily routine expectations more of a reality. I really am." (30:00). His blend of humor, honesty, and relatability offers listeners a comforting reminder that striving for the perfect routine is less important than the consistent effort to improve and adapt.

Final Reflections:
The episode serves as both an introspective narrative and a universal commentary on the challenges of maintaining structured routines. Shannon's engaging storytelling and self-deprecating humor provide a balanced perspective, making the discussion both insightful and highly relatable to listeners navigating their own daily expectations and realities.

Key Takeaways:

Flexibility is Essential: Rigid routines can falter; allowing flexibility accommodates life's unpredictability.
Self-Awareness Promotes Growth: Recognizing deviations between expectations and reality is crucial for personal development.
Humor Eases Self-Criticism: Maintaining a light-hearted approach helps mitigate the stress of unmet goals.
Consistency Over Perfection: Regular efforts, even imperfect ones, are more sustainable and rewarding than flawless plans.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

Morning Sunlight:
"The second thing I do after I wake up is I make a beeline for sunlight." (02:15)
Digital Distractions:
"But in reality, I may still be on the pillow looking at YouTube videos." (05:10)
Early Wake-Up Motivation:
"That was like 20 years ago. When I wake up at 5am I expect to use this time for meditation and visualization." (04:00)
Procrastination Acknowledgment:
"I'll wait until the last minute to hit all my deadlines. That's what I would do." (13:45)
Gym Community:
"You make a lot of great relationships at the gym. You should really join your neighborhood gym." (20:00)
Prime Time Reality:
"All while I'm texting my mom and my ex wife. All while I'm eating chocolate and Twizzlers." (26:10)
Embracing Imperfection:
"But I'm working to make my daily routine expectations more of a reality. I really am." (30:00)

Shannon Cason's candid exploration of his daily routines serves as a mirror for listeners, reflecting common struggles and triumphs in the quest for personal productivity and balance. His storytelling not only entertains but also offers valuable insights into the art of aligning intentions with real-life actions.

Transcript

Shannon Cason (0:00)

In reality, me time is what I was doing anyway. So I just keep doing me time. Shannon Casein's Homemade Stories is proud to be supported by the Friends of Homemade Stories. Thank you to everyone who listens, enjoys and supports the stories. I'mma call you out if you supported me since the previous episode. To my friends BK and Washington, thanks for joining the Patreon. I appreciate you. Dave D. Of 109 Studios in upstate New York, thanks for the Venmo. Dan B. Of Story Luck in Chicago, I appreciate the Venmo and to my best friends who join the Patreon and just keep going. I appreciate that. Kristen Z. Being a sustaining member. Bob S. Sophia M. Genevieve G. Doyle M. Linda K. Rajesh, I appreciate you all of it means the world to me. It means the world to me big time. Thank you. And I understand I, I, I follow people on Patreon too. I give to many for a long time and I understand some of them I have to discontinue it at times, but I join again or I give what I can. You know. I appreciate you all and thank you to my generous play cousin, my generous, generous play cousin Robin N. Who continues to encourage the stories. Thank you Robin. This is a friend funded podcast. Visit patreon.com Shannon Casen or $sign Shannon Casen on Cash app if you just like to go to Direct Route. I can't do this without you and that's real. So enjoy the show. This episode will also be available on YouTube where you can see my ugly mug on your phone or computer or TV screen, my yellow teeth and all the black heads if you put it in 4K. So make sure so make sure you subscribe to Shannon Case's Homemade on YouTube. Just search Shannon Kayson. More and more to come. Enjoy the show. Welcome to homemade and happy 2024. I'm Shannon Cason. I've read all the self improvement and self help books and time management books. I mean from 7 Habits by Stephen Covey to Atomic Habits, which is a good book by James Clear and Creative Act. I read that one on a trip I went on. Rick Rubin wrote that. And then there's a bunch of other ones. Brene Brown has some Eric Thomas. I like his motivation. Um, I get a little bit from each one. And then there's the the podcast, there's the Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie and Minimalist podcast. I like that minimalist philosophy. The biggest of them all is the Huberman Lab. I follow some of Andrew Huberman's daily routine. For me, I tend to Wake up sometime around 6am 6:30 and I write down the time in which I woke up. The second thing I do after I wake up is I make a beeline for sunlight. But if I'm honest, sometimes that shit doesn't happen. I mean, I'm not perfect. I get it right about 60% of the time and I'm working to get up to 80%. But this is my daily routine. I have an intention, but then there's the reality. And I hope you enjoy. Share some of your expected daily routines and then share what really happens in the comments or in the review or wherever you can send it. But hope you enjoy. I'm a very organized person. I like routines. Here's the routine that I would love to follow each day. But I'm honest, I can be sloppy sometimes. So here's the daily routine that I expect versus many times what really really happens. I gotta be real. I wake up at 5am Naturally. And the reason I wake up at 5am Is because I used to have to wake up at 4am to be to work by 6am at this plumbing wholesale warehouse I used to work at on the west side of Chicago. I would take the Green Line to Lake and Cicero. At 5am in the morning I'd be a lake in Cicero. You got to know the west side of Chicago to know where I was. Then I take the bus from there to north in Cicero to go to work. I had a car, but my first wife would insist on taking the car even though she had like a little short ride to work. She could take the red line, like two exits and go to work. But this was back in the days when I believe happy wife, happy life. So I would take my dangerous ride to work on the train and bus and let her take the car just to keep her happy. Now I've learned my lesson since then. That was like 20 years ago. When I wake up at 5am I expect to use this time for meditation and visualization. I'm fresh outside of the dream world so I can use this time to see my day and see my week. This is my expectation for myself. I use this app called Envision. But in reality, many times I just lay in the bed and watch TikTok and Instagram real videos from my pillow. Exactly why y'all be sick. Y'all take y'all ass out of town. If you want to take take your ass out the country, just spit in that. Go ahead, get out the country. Get you some of that squeezed cheese sauce. Look at that right there. Get you some of that wrist sauce, some of that hand dip. Look, you probably do the same thing. By 7am I'm up for sure. Unless I'm sick, depressed or something where I don't feel like getting out of bed at all. I'm usually up by seven and the first thing I do is I walk to Lake Michigan. I live in Chicago, so I walk to Lake Michigan even if it's cold. It gives me time to get some fresh air, get some movement, get some natural sunlight to start my day. Then when I get back, I make my first cup of coffee. Tony D at Metropolis Coffee is a friend of homemade and he usually supplies me with a few boxes of really good coffee. Really good stuff. I haven't got any in a little bit. Tony, need some coffee, man, I hope you're hearing this. I think Tony in Guatemala somewhere. I don't know where he at, but I need some coffee, Tony, right now. I've been using this, I'll be using this mushroom coffee. I really like the mushroom coffee too, but it's pretty expensive. Help me out, Tony. My intention while I'm walking or drinking coffee is to make a rough schedule for myself for the day. And I'll usually take that schedule that I make and I'll put it in Instagram stories. And the reason I do that, you know how you look at your phone throughout the day? When I look at my phone, I'll see what I told myself that I plan to do for the day. And it really helps to keep me on track. But in reality I may still be on the pillow looking at YouTube videos. I may have graduated from the TikTok and Instagram to full on YouTube videos in that rabbit hole. You having an unnatural allegiance to losers is not like you. No, I ain't got no allegiance to the man. But you gotta admit the road. But eventually I will get up and make some coffee. I'm always gonna make some coffee. Holla at me. Tony is getting done by 9am I'm a producer, a creator, a storyteller, a consultant. I'm gonna be honest, I don't know what the I do sometimes I'm working on projects for various clients. Maybe I'm. I'm helping create a podcast with a team for some foundation. A new season of Tight Knit from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. This season we're talking or maybe I'm doing voiceover work as a host for some podcast for a nonprofit organization. Welcome to Nonprofit Voices, brought to you by the Michigan Nonprofit relief fund. A $32.5 million grant program. I want to start doing documentary work if I can get some good funding for it. So I'm looking for some good funding for a documentary. Or maybe I'm working on my own personal projects. Welcome to Storyteller. The Storyteller. I'm Shannon Casen. So go subscribe. I like to see that grow, but those are the things I do in my average day. My intention is to set many goals throughout the day. Like, if I finish recording this script, I can go get more coffee. Or if I finish writing this section, I can go for another walk by the lake. Or if I finish all my projects, I can go for an awesome jack off session. I'm kidding. I've been no fat for the past 20 years. In reality, I just go do all the things I want to do. I go get another cup of coffee. I go take another walk by the lake. I go have an awesome jack off session. Now I really, I really don't do that. I really don't. I've been no fat for the past 20 years. A total monk mode 20 years now. But I'll wait until the last minute to hit all my deadlines. That's what I would do. In reality, at noon, I kind of look at that as me time. I can do whatever I want. I may want to watch some reality TV or a documentary. I may have some dishes to wash or clean up a little bit. I may want to walk to the grocery store. I may be a little bit hungry. I usually eat later in the day, but maybe I eat some boiled eggs or pistachios or some sardines. I'm a bachelor, so pistachios, boiled eggs and sardines are normal for me. Or maybe I just finish up what I'm working on until I'm done. In reality, me time is what I was doing anyway. So I just keep doing me time. 2pm is my normal workout time. I work out at LA Fitness. I walk to the gym. My trainer, Devon, the black prospector. That's his name, the black prospector. So you know, he kicking my ass at the gym. He gives me my workout for about eight weeks and then I do that training. I'm getting pretty strong in these colder months. When it come around to summer, you know, as it go throughout the year, I'm gonna drop about 20 pounds. And when I drop those 20 pounds, I'm gonna be ridiculous. Young ladies, watch out. In reality, I really do work out. I go to the gym. It's like my getaway. I met this young lady at the Gym and she was really nice. She came by the house the other day and gave me a foot massage. I mean, like my thighs and my calves. It was amazing. So you make a lot of great relationships at the gym. You should really join your neighborhood gym. It's a great place to meet new people. And at 5pm it's time to figure out what to eat for the day. Maybe I go to the Thai food restaurant or maybe I go to the taco stand. Or maybe I cook some chicken. Or maybe I just fast for the day. And usually whatever I choose to do, I'll sit down and watch a little tv. Right now I'm watching a few different series. I'm either watching Monarch, which is a show about monsters, but it's about the people. It's really slow moving, only a few monsters, but it's pretty good. Or either I'm watching Reacher, which is a big army dude who beats up people, or his rap game. Rap game is about young people just to see what the young people are doing nowadays. Or I watch relationship reality shows. Shows like Ready to Love or Family or Fiance. I like the relationship dynamic even though I don't want to be in one right now. When I watch those shows, they make me really not want to be in a relationship right now. So I think that's why I watch them. My intention is to eat healthy and get a little entertainment. The reality is, depending on how I'm feeling, I eat or drink way too much. Maybe I go to the taco stand and instead of my two Alpastor tacos, I get a whole burrito in a full size horchaka. Or I go to the Thai food restaurant and I get a basil chicken with extra chicken extra and chicken fried rice and two egg rolls and I eat it all. Or maybe a friend of mine comes by and she brings Pringles and pretzels and licorice and all the things I tell her not to bring to my apartment, but she brings them anyway. She thinks it's funny, but I still eat it all. And then I might even hit the bar for some drinks. 7pm is prime time. I used to go to this church where the pastor preached a sermon called Prime Time. How are you using your prime time? That time between 7 and 9pm it's stuck. So I try to find productive things to do during that time. It could be coming up with new ideas or creating content for social media and my podcast, or maybe catching up on projects and deadlines. Prime Time. In reality, I'm using my prime time to watch reruns of the Sopranos. All while I'm watching Tick Tock. All while I'm messaging two different women on Bumble and Hinge. All while I'm texting my mom and my ex wife. All while I'm eating chocolate and Twizzlers. Prime time at 9pm I'm winding down. I usually try to be asleep by 10pm in reality, I'm laying on the couch watching the marathon of Godzilla movies or Clint Eastwood westerns or this show on BET that's now on Netflix called the Family Business. The two daughters in the show, Paris and Sasha. So fine. After 10pm I'm in dream world. Hey Paris. Hey Sasha. Hey ladies. I'm dating. You've been naughty, naughty girls. What am I ever going to do with you? Hey, it's my dream. Don't be judging me. But I'm working to make my daily routine expectations more of a reality. I really am. I really am. Thank you for listening. This episode was produced at home by me, Shannon Casen. Make sure you subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Subscribe to Shannon Kacen on YouTube and follow Shannon Kacen on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter. You'll find more and more stories there. Consider supporting the stories@patreon.com Shannon Casen or cash app $sign Shannon Casen be a friend of the stories and for more information on workshops and speaking engagements, go to shannoncasin.com come back for more and more stories very soon. Now that's homemade.