I used to have a daily argument with myself at 5:55 AM about whether or not I was getting up to exercise as I’d planned. My alarm clock would buzz and the devil and angel on my shoulders would begin their back and forth rhetoric for my attention. Some days I’d make, many I would not and my morning workout success was about 50%. So when I decided to get serious about making it happen I realized one thing I needed to do was make it easier for myself to execute my best-laid plans.
After reading some great books on the topic (check out Atomic Habits by James Clear and The Motivation Myth by Jeff Haden), I realized that by just taking some time the night before to plan for my next day I could increase my chances of success. What does that look like? Now, every night before I head to bed I do things to help me get to the gym and beyond. 1. I fill the water bottle I’m taking to my workout and leave it on the counter next to my phone. 2. I set out my gym clothes and shoes and 3. I prep the coffee maker and set the timer so that when I return home from my workout the fresh pot of coffee has just finished brewing. Now, I am no longer pre-dawn scrambling to assemble an outfit or find a clean water bottle. These days, I can literally turn off my alarm and be out the door in 11 minutes or less. As a result? I’ve racked up over 400 workouts in less than 24 months. Not too shabby!
Sometimes the key to success is to remove the obstacles in your way. So take a few minutes this evening to prepare for tomorrow and see what you can get done!
