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Every day is a struggle to cut ties with that comfortable pillow you lay with at night. I have trouble talking myself into getting up and ready and instead compromising 5 minute more increments that never leave me enough time to get out of the house in time. However, I've learned that waking up to work is inevitable and instead of complaining about it, I should change my morning routine to a more positive experience.

Don't Fall Asleep Late, or With the TV On

Sleeping late will damage anyone's ability to want to awaken early the next day. Your body needs rest and regardless of any of the following suggestions, sleep is the most vital component your body needs. Also, turn your lights and television off. The light can make sleeping deeply very difficult, thus compromising your full sleep potential.

Push Your Alarm as Far From You as Possible

Most people sleep with their alarms on a nightstand near them. This easily enables you to press that snooze button the second you hear the alarm in the morning. My suggestion is to place the alarm in a spot where you'll be forced to have to get up and walk over to touch it, that way snoozing won't be so easy and habitual. Another perk to setting this clock away from you is that you won't sleep with the bright numerals near your eyes, compromising your rest.

Set Likeable Music as an Alarm

My phone is my alarm, and like most phones, mine has the capability of holding songs I like in it. Every morning I have an upbeat, positive song I like play at 7:30 a.m. Familiar and energetic music can break me out of my slumberous state and happy to begin my day. If you don't have a phone, you can set your radio to a station you like, and you can be awoken by your style of music or favorite morning hosts.

Prepare Your Breakfast/Coffee to Brew the Night Before

Energy is important. You need to eat something, even if its small, and time should not be an excuse to neglect eating. The night before, ration a baggie full of cereal, or hard-boiled eggs, so that you can eat something as you walk around and get ready. If you're a coffee drinker, plan ahead and set the coffee, water, and filter ready to brew the night before. All you have to do is hit the on/brew button, and voila, you can have the smell of fresh caffeine brewing while you're getting ready. You can also take this stuff to go, if eating and coffee drinking is not in your time budget.

Shower

Even though getting naked on a cold morning does not sound tempting, you can bet that this will wake you up. For those who save time by showering at night, you may want to sacrifice this time saver so you feel at your most alert and awake. Use your most favorite aromas to arouse your senses.

Set an Incentive for Yourself

Giving yourself perks for successfully waking up and making it to work on time, might be a good reward for keeping you on track. Allow yourself a take-out dinner or massage appointment for staying consistent. This will not reiterate your positive new attitude, but also allow you to appreciate your own accomplishments.

Any changes to your routine, even if small, require new adjustments and effort. But if something does not work for you, it's foolish to continue doing it. Awaking to a more inviting and positive environment can alter your whole day's tone and make your approach to life's other issues much more calmly and conscientiously. That in itself is worth the change.

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Probably reading Variety magazine.
Last week, I decided to begin a weekly ritual of dedicating Monday blogs to goal-setting. I did this because Mondays are the days when I personally feel the least motivated; and I bet I'm not alone in that sentiment. 

The assignment last week was to write down 10 things I want to happen in a year and 20 ways to make that happen. Now, I bet you're either thinking a) Yeah, I sort of did that or b) what the heck is she talking about (if this is you, read last Monday's blog)?

Ambition is a wonderful quality to possess, but we need to know what to do with it. After writing down your 20 goal-achieving tactics, how many did you knock out? 5, 10? That's wonderful! Here are some key elements for pushing forward and getting the rest of those goals off your list: 


Self Discipline: This makes everything possible for you. Not only will you gain a new respect for yourself, but your accountability will go up and therefore your confidence. Nothing will deter you if you have this and the more you practice it, the easier it becomes.


Learn from the experts: They say you are what you eat. Well I say you are what you read. Read books, ask for advice, attend seminars in your field. Spend one hour each day reading in your desired field. Network and build a community of others who understand you. Rome was not built in a day and it certainly was not built by just one person. 


"Hold yourself up to a higher standard than anyone expects from you". Harriet Beecher Stowe had it right when she said those words. Don't compromise or take the easy way; stay consistent. This will demonstrate your true character. 


Demonstrate your values in your behavior. What virtues and values do you have that make you special? Study and mimic values that you admire. Behave consistently with your values.


Visual reminders everywhere. Write yourself little notes or change your screensaver to keep yourself on track. Pictures help you visualize the end goal. 


Set deadlines: We humans work better with a target in mind. If you wrote down 20 goals to help you get what you want, set a timeline and stick to it. NO EXCUSES! This is where the self-discipline element will be tested.


Look at your list again. Re-write it. I know I will. I'll remind myself of these qualities too, especially when I'm feeling lazy or overwhelmed. What about you, what are some of your goals that you are dead-set on achieving?

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