Keeping Promises To Yourself

Today I woke up after a night of waking myself up at least six times. I did not want to get up. The pillows were the softest they had been in the last eight hours. My eyelids were heavy, and my body was still weary from the activities of the previous day. My feet hit the floor with care, already conscious of the swelling in my left hip and leg.

I brushed my teeth while desperately looking for my glasses until I just grabbed another pair and headed downstairs to the crying puppies, ready for their morning potty and breakfast.

I slip on my well past their date of optimal replacement pink Crocs, slip on my Carhart, grab a protein shake out of the fridge, grab the puppies from the basement, and head outside. My eyelids are still heavy; I can barely taste the protein, but this daily practice sets the tone for my entire day.

I've kept my word to myself yet another morning.

Today was another day, and I was on my feet by the time my alarm went off. I consumed 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking.

My mind is swimming in thoughts like "So now you're awake before the sun, and you've begun, what now? Look how tired you are. How can you be productive and competent today?" My inner dialogue begins for the day.

"Nah, I'M going to choose how this day goes down. How have I best navigated days like this in the past?"

I'm turning on Jocko Willink's audiobook, Discipline Equals Freedom. I'm now walking into my kitchen with the only goal of enjoying Jocko's voice as I clean my kitchen and take care of the puppies. Mentally, I'm preparing to write this blog. I'm now struggling to listen to an audiobook while trying to find a direction for this blog.

Less than an hour later, I realize I've finished those chores I was dreading, I'm enjoying Jocko's voice, and I'm ready to sit down and write. Now my blog is completed, and today's a little shorter, but some items on my to-do list need this early morning, ready-to-go version of me.

With all that said, you may have woken up today feeling tired, craving a rest day, and ruminating in negative spirals, but......

How did you best navigate days like this in the past?
Is the day you want to have worth the fight?
What's the very first step to that day?

Move your body, fuel it, and then accomplish something that will give you a sense of pride, and keep your promises to yourself.