Since I don’t wake up most days raring to hit my workout hard or even hit my workout at all and the only thing I feel like doing is crawling back into the warm cozy comfy nest that is my bed,

I’ve learned not to let myself feel at this time of the day.

Or think. 

Because past experience has taught me that unchaperoned thoughts tend to run rampant and wild through the pastures of one’s not-entirely-awake conscious and unconscious mind, having the potential to derail a person’s SOP (standard operating procedure) throwing even the best laid plans off-course.

So I shift into autopilot mode, shuffling with half-shut eyes off to feed our pets, then continue on to the kitchen for my beloved mug of coffee while repeating the 6 word mantra that will be repeated many times before I’m ready to hit it:

“Don’t think, don’t feel, just GET.” 

I don’t allow the present me to have a say in the situation by thinking or feeling, but instead tap into the future me: the coach within that has its eyes on what I want MOST as opposed to what I want NOW. But since my present self firmly requires having its desires considered as well and any unwillingness to do so may result in a rebellious backlash, I acknowledge and respond by making deals.

I’ve learned to coach myself with no less consideration than I’d give anyone else. Therefore, when it comes to the workout habit, I offer my present self the same deal I’ve offered anybody I’ve ever worked out with, which is as follows:

 “If we get done with this workout and you wish you’d stayed in bed, you never have to do it again.” 

Not surprisingly, nobody, including myself, ever ends up wishing that.

This method is effective for any new habit or practice you aspire to put into place. It merely requires you to: 

1. Assess the goal of your future self.
2. Acknowledge the desire of your present self.
3. Allow the coach of your inner self to cut a deal that takes all of those needs into consideration.

Your inner coach knows all of your “selves” and understands what it takes to motivate you into action when you tap into it and utilize the empowerment that is available to you.

Your future self is relying on you and your inner coach is ready to deal.

So get on it!