I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how to self-motivate better lately. I am probably the worst self-motivator when it comes to things like homework, and working out, both of which I have been wanting to change! A big factor that I’ve noticed is that how my morning starts dictates a lot about my day. I, like many people, have struggled with actually getting out of bed when my alarm goes off. More often than not, 30 minutes after my alarm is shut off you will find me still snuggled under the covers, checking Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Gmail, C.S. Lewis quotes app AND the weather report... Basically, anything I can think of to put off getting out of bed for just a minute longer.
And more often than not, I find myself lethargic all morning, despite getting a solid 8 hours of sleep, and waking up gently with my awesome alarm clock (it lights up slowly about 15 minutes before you really want to get up, then at the programmed time starts making chirping and nature-y noises! Such a calm way to wake up!).
My theory is that if I start making a few changes, I will be setting myself up for a more productive and satisfying day! The first change is getting out of bed as soon as my alarm goes off. I haven’t been much of a snoozer in the last few months, but I have been lazy. From now on, up as soon as the alarm goes off, and make my bed after I turn the light on. For some reason, making my bed is my most disliked chore – I think it has something to do with the feeling of why bother, since you’ll be messing it up at night! But, I know I feel better when I have made it, and there is no chance I’ll get back in if I’ve made it already!
Next, I’ll be drinking a full glass of water as soon as I get up, before eating breakfast. Think about it – 8 hours is a loooong time to go without water! Dehydration can make you sluggish and lethargic – two things I’m trying to avoid.
I’m also going to do 5-10 minutes of stretching each morning, while simultaneously focusing on some goals – daily and/or long-term! Since I’m working out three times a week with Crossfit, I wake up most mornings a little creaky & stiff. 5-10 minutes really isn’t that much time to spending stretching out those tight muscles, and getting my circulation going. Since I know I’ll feel like I’m wasting time if that’s all that I do, I will use those minutes to focus on some goals for the day, or week. Focusing on goals on a regular basis increases the chances that those goals will come to fruition!
And of course – good music!! I love music, you can find me listening to Pandora on my phone just about every free minute I have, and even when I’m at work! I have different channels for different things, for example, when I’m getting ready for bed I love my Iron & Wine channel. I used to listen to Iron & Wine a lot when I had trouble sleeping, so now I associate it with sleeping. If I’m trying to power through homework, Zero 7 is a good station. If I’m trying to get pumped up for the day, it just depends on my mood! Today the winner is a station based off of the song Mama’s Broken Heart, by Miranda Lambert. I’m feeling the country tunes today!
If I'm not using Pandora, I'm usually on my Stitcher Radio app! It's seriously awesome. They have a huge variety of shows, but I usually focus on the paleosphere, and storytelling like This American Life!
Also, I had my first coffee in 71 days?! I got two shots of espresso from Starbucks, and added my own concoction I brought from home – coconut milk, vanilla, cinnamon, honey and some of the spiced vanilla sugar I got in Colorado. Oh and gelatin! Gotta sneak it in somewhere. I’ve missed coffee a lot! I did get a pretty gnarly tummy ache when I got about 2/3rds of the way through it. I guess my stomach got used to no caffeine! I’m feeling much better now – and so motivated. Hopefully, that continues throughout the day!
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