This past Sunday morning was very tough waking up. We have all had those mornings where we slept sound the night before, feel groggy upon awaking to the slightest ray of sun shining in through the window, and all that we want to do is to lounge around and do nothing-possibly even wanting to go back to bed until somebody physically makes you get up. After putting over 1,200 miles on the truck and completing a 70-hour work week, the last thing I wanted to do was to hit the gym after getting a sip of that morning cup of Joe. Not to mention, I think I was still thawing out from attending the Purdue/Wisconsin game on Saturday. (Note: Purdue lost in a triple overtime game where I patiently sat and watched for nearly 5 hours, wrapped in 6 layers, in what was supposed to be a nice ‘Fall’ day in West Lafayette.)
Instead of continuing to get on the struggle bus, I chose to make the bed, put on my gym clothes, chug a double-scoop of pre-workout, and head to the neighborhood facility. Do you know what saved me from making the decision to sit around and drink coffee all morning vs. going to train for the Indy Mini? The $1.00 composition notebook that I purchased exactly 30 days from writing this post. I teach habits daily and have found that by focusing on what we want vs. how we feel in that given point of time, you can train yourself to make the right decision-hit the gym, Jurs! A simple notebook was the tool that helps me remember daily what to focus on…
With a full work load, a busy personal life, and the holidays around the corner, I noticed that as of late I was forgetting to do simple things that were in my normal daily routine. For example, it’s important to make the bed to feel accomplished before doing anything else that day-already starting with a small victory in the books can help set the tone for a great day!
Since I am such a creature of habit, or try to be, not doing simple things was making me feel less accomplished and a bit overwhelmed. The small things were adding up, making them feel like they were bigger than they truly were. I chose to track these important habits to help me control those feelings. I soon figured out that I would feel better if I held myself accountable and had to ‘check the box’ everyday! After all, they were just feelings and I am in control of how I react to any given situation.
In the middle of October, I was at Target and picked up this notebook, along with some other crafts for my son. I remember watching him color while I wrote out 15 things that I wanted to start forming habits around that have escaped me with the busy life that I live. Simple things such as making the bed, not drinking Diet Coke, showing appreciation for others, and making sure I am reading something each day. Some of them will not always happen-but it’s meant to be written on this simple piece of graph paper by design…so that I look at it and think about it daily. What is important to me may not be that important to you, but whatever it is-write it down and track it. Checking off small accomplishments daily will help you form habits and routines. Hold yourself accountable daily and great things will happen, and as one of my mentors Chad Campbell says- “Small hinges swing big doors”.
The point of this post is that no matter how you’re feeling, when you have an objective in your mind you must do what it takes to get after it. Don’t let anything stop you from bettering yourself-even if it is your own self. Continue to stay focused on what you want, not how you may feel. Write what you want down. Track it. Communicate how important it is to your family and friends, and make it happen. It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we keep our eyes on the prize. In my 30 days of ‘habit tracking’, I am proud to say that I am eating healthier, running more, sleeping better, and have chose to make the bed each morning to start off the day with a small victory. Cheers to you and please share what has worked well for you in forming new habits.