The Great Morning Struggle

The Great Morning Struggle

It’s about 5:20 am.  I’ve been up since 5:00 am. I’m wide awake and typing away at this blog. Some of you may say “Wow, this guy is super motivated.”  Well, I struggle just like millions of other people to get up in the morning, I hit the snooze button several times, and convince myself that I need 15 more minutes that often turn in to 30-45 more minutes. Many nights I promised myself that I will get up at 4:30 am or 5:00 am to work out and it just never happens. What in the world is going on? What has changed? I remember years ago as a young Marine I would set my alarm, pop out of bed at the appropriate time and go and workout like I was born to do it. Years later the fire and motivation to do so is just not there.  What a struggle.

I have had coaching clients that I have coached who were struggling with the same issue. As I spoke to them I envisioned myself because I was going through the same issue they were having. You know you are supposed to get up. You don’t want to deal with that guilty feeling of knowing another morning went by where you have failed to accomplish your own goal. I even beat myself up at times and say if you are not able to motivate yourself how can you motivate others? I tell you it can be a vicious negative self-talk circle.

Having a personal coach can be a very effective process to bring about the progress you want in life. As a coach I have a coach myself. How can I believe so much in the coaching process if I’m not using it myself?  Well I trust and believe in it so much that I do. My Coach Tina Greenlee a certified John Maxwell Coach works with me each week to work through my short and long term goals. It’s not easy.  I do great in some areas and I struggle in others. The great thing is the coaching process produces progress I would not have made  without a coach. Thank you Tina.

Well, I remembered many years ago I as a young Lieutenant in the Marines I would have several Muhammad Ali posters on my wall.  Some of these posters had very inspiring quotes on them. I have always been inspired by Muhammad Ali. He just got me going. Just looking at him and reading his words energized me to go. I needed something like that again.  During my coaching sessions with Tina we discussed doing something very similar to that again. I’m forty plus and married and I don’t think my wife would appreciate huge posters of Muhammad Ali on the walls of our bedroom. So the next best thing is to place him as a screen saver on my phone so I see his face when I get up to turn off the alarm on my phone. What a difference. It works !!

Yes, having something to look forward to in the morning such as an event or something you consider important and/ or enjoyable always helps to get you up. However, sometimes we need a little extra. The great Muhamad Ali works for me.

What works for you? Please share.   Remember, time is our most valuable asset. Let’s make the most of it.

“Don’t Find an Excuse. Find a way. “