Regardless of how productive and “good” we feel on any given day, the fact is when the alarm goes off the next morning the battle starts all over again and must strive to fight our lazy instincts.
Who is the first person you meet when you wake up? It’s actually yourself, but not just any version of yourself, your weaksauce self. The version of you that wants to smash the alarm clock or at least hit snooze over and over.
“It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end.” – Leonardo da Vinci
In order to beat the slacker, you need to understand that the most difficult part is simply breaking inertia and getting started. We all resist change: we don’t want to get in the shower and then once in we don’t want to get out! Getting on the treadmill is the hardest part, but if we can start right we will likely be able to finish right.
Create a streak
What is the daily discipline needed to become the version of yourself you truly desire? How can you track it so that you can focus on simply begin the activity that will ultimately help you transform over time into the better version of yourself.
Take action now by following these action items-
Step 1: Who do I want to become?
Step 2: What daily disciplines are required be that person?
Step 3: What is the first step to break inertia and how can I make a streak out of it?
EXAMPLE:
1. I WANT TO BE FIT WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF ENERGY EACH DAY
2. DISCIPLINES NEEDED: EXERCISE ROUTINE, HEALTHY DIET
3. STREAK TO BUILD ON: I WILL PUT ON MY EXERCISE SHOES EACH DAY I HAVE A WORKOUT PLANNED AND I WILL PULL OUT MY PROTEIN POWDER AND SHAKE INGREDIENTS AND SET THEM ON THE COUNTER.
In the example above you break inertia by getting the shoes on and the ingredients out. These seem simple enough to do and the pressure to not break the streak will likely motivate you to keep it up. of course since your shoes are already on you might as well knock out that workout and since the ingredients are already there you might as well throw the shake together.
Nobody is perfect at this and we all have days, weeks and sometime months where we are horrible at hitting our goals or doing anything good for our future selves, but true discipline is brushing yourself off and moving forward in spite of our setbacks or lack of motivation.
Daily discipline done daily builds character and a simple desire to keep a simple streak going might be just what you need to break through and conquer your weaksauce self!