Win the Sunrise

The best part of waking up might be Folgers in your cup. (Nespresso in my Yuppie-ass case)

The worst part of waking up is getting out of bed to go get it.

I’ve been unable to find the motivation and drive to rise and shine for the last several months. Until the last two days, that is.

It’s so easy to wake up once the intent to wake up is real. That is, it’s not a wish. It’s not a “nice to have” feeling. Or motivational words that ring hollow.

It must become a demand within yourself. For me, that translates to, “I’m going to get up tomorrow morning because if I don’t, I will fail myself.”

David Goggins calls those pre-dawn sessions, “Winning the morning.” I’ll adjust that slightly.

How about, “Win the sunrise?”

As a busy family guy now, the only hours that are truly mine are the hours after everyone is sleeping and before they wake up. Which of those hours am I going to sacrifice to rock up and improve myself? When I frame it in terms of self-improvement, it’s much easier to do so. Not sure why, other than the word choice of “improvement” rather than “working out” is a game-changer for me. Easier to understand and rally behind.

Nobody likes to work out at 5:30 in the morning. But IMPROVEMENT…now that sounds interesting to me!

What’s the point of this, Ryan?

Tell yourself whatever you must. Find your narrative that will inspire and drive you. And stick to it.

For me, that’s now “Win the Sunrise.”

What will get you out of bed to the coffee machine in the darkness?