Q: I’m a girl in my twenties, living in a big city. I have a job I love, and great friends. My problem is this: I cannot, for the life of me, commit to a healthy morning routine. By the time I finally get out of bed, I only have time to rush through the motions, which means I usually don’t get to have breakfast, don’t end up looking as polished as I would like, and am extremely anxious by the time I get to work. Needless to say, this isn’t the best way to start my day. Help.
A: Good news–you already know how valuable a healthy morning routine can be. The first few hours of the day truly set the tone for the rest of your schedule, which is why we created our Morning Routine segment, so that readers everywhere could be inspired by the habits of impressive women. Your willingness to make a change truly makes a difference, and will be the driving force behind your effort to make a shift in your routine.
So, how do you make that change, you ask?
The first step to breaking any bad habit (for you, it’s sleeping in too late) is easing into it. Yes, you could suddenly set your alarm an hour earlier than usual, and force yourself to jump out of bed, but that’s not a sustainable plan. We need to get to the root of what’s holding you back. I’m guessing you (like many of us) set several alarms, and then only get up at the absolute last moment. Tomorrow, I want you to set one alarm, fifteen minutes before you usually get up. Firstly, simply knowing you don’t have other alarms to fall back on will make you get up. Secondly, these extra fifteen minutes will allow you to get one extra thing done–whether it be making a healthy smoothie for breakfast or having more time to get ready. Trust me, the relief of not rushing around as much as usual, and actually being able to fill your stomach before work, will act as helpful positive reinforcement.
Continue in the same way for the next 3 days, until you are suddenly getting up 45 minutes earlier than you are now, and miraculously have time to do all of the healthy habits that alluded you before. Then, write down the effects of your change in routine–how did it make a difference in your life? Did it improve your mood? Your productivity? Your overall well-being? Describe it all on a piece of paper, and leave it by your beside. That reminder will be more of a kick in the pants than your alarm ever was.