My Morning Routine with…. Julian Wills
We recently caught up with Julian Wills, MD of Timewade, to ask about his morning routine and it didn’t disappoint. Enjoy!
Please give a short description of yourself:
Julian Wills, Managing Director, father to two amazing children, closing in on forty (jeeze how did that happen!). Cycling enthusiast living in Exeter.
What time do you normally wake up during the week, do you use an alarm to wake you up in the morning, and if so do you ever hit the snooze button?
My alarm is set for 5:30 most mornings but I’d be lying if I said the snooze button was never used!
What is the first thing that you do once you’ve woken up?
After prizing my eyelids open, it’s probably reaching for my phone to check emails and the BBC news app.
Do you use any apps or products to enhance your sleep?
Does wine count?
Tell us about any morning rituals that you follow during the working week; your morning routine?
Three mornings a week consist of, sneaking out the bedroom without waking the wife and off to David Lloyd, normally for Spinning, followed by coffee (large quantities) and breakfast. The other mornings will start with coffee (again large quantities of) followed by the usual battle of getting the kids out the door to school.
Would you say that you are a morning or evening person, or do you tend to burn the candle at both ends?
Definitely a morning person, I’m most productive first thing when nobody else is around. Evenings on the whole are a bit more of a struggle, I’m lucky if I make it past the 10 o’clock news!
Do you do anything before going to bed to make your morning easier?
Packing my gym bag, I’ve learnt the hard way, forgetting your shirt isn’t the best look, post workout.
What is your first drink in the morning and what do you typically have for breakfast?
Always coffee. I struggle to function without caffeine, My wife Emma would tell you I planned the kitchen around the coffee machine, I tend to treat myself to poached eggs on gym mornings and granola when I’m at home, although I have been experimenting with overnight oats. I’d definitely advise against using cottage cheese!
Do you have a morning meditation routine?
If only! With two children running around arguing like cat and dog, there’s no chance of any peace and quiet in the Wills household. My neighbours will vouch for that.
Do you listen to music or watch TV in the morning whilst you’re getting ready?
When at home I always have music on, whether it be the radio or a Spotify playlist. It helps to drown out the kids.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning and do you answer email first thing or leave it until later in the day?
Sadly it’s the first thing I do, I try to answer as many as possible that don’t require coffee first.
What are your most important tasks in the morning?
Making my wife a cup of tea. Not prioritising this task can really ruin a morning. After that it’s checking e-mails and my calendar for the day.
Do you also follow this routine on weekends?
Yes, but not quite as early, and instead of the gym you’ll find me out on my bike on Saturdays and in a muddy field somewhere in Devon watching my son play rugby on Sundays.
What Book would you recommend as your favourite read?
Sadly I don’t read as much as I use to, with a young family and running the business there’s never quite enough hours in the day.
