I have a good exercise habit going on. For the last five years or so, I have been pretty consistent with getting up and getting it done.
For me the mornings always work best. If I leave it until later in the day, I find that the excuses become easy to make and my willpower disappears.
I’ve gotten used to exercising first and eating later. It works for me, and so that is what I do.
That’s the key. You can listen to what other people do, think that it sounds good, and then try it and find out it isn’t for you. It’s not a bad thing – there is something that works for everyone. You just have to experiment until you find it.
Because there is definitely no one thing that works for everyone, trying to make someone else’s routine fit yours can be a frustrating pursuit.
Knowing that you can do something and then choosing not to do it is another matter.
Sometimes I have a bit of an argument with myself when I know I said I would do something and then I just don’t feel like it. It always seems easy to make the plans, set the intention to follow through, and then find enough reasons not to do it .
I have always been good at starting things, but there have been many times when I haven’t finished. And I never feel good about it after.
As I’ve grown older, I now try to commit only to projects that I am passionate about. I guard my time better and am able to say no to things that take me away from what is truly important to me.
My reasons for wanting to do something have to be powerful. I get up and exercise because I love feeling fit, strong, and it gives me energy. If I don’t do it I feel lousy.
Make goals, and make the reasons why you want to achieve the goals so important to you that not following through would be more painful than doing the work.
Strong reasons lead to strong willpower and powerful motivation. You can accomplish almost anything if you want it badly enough.