“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”- Mark TwainMy live frog is waking up early and working out. Every single day it's difficult to do.
My alarm buzzes me awake at 4:00 in the morning during the week now. Four a.m. You know, just a few hours past midnight and way before the sun is even cresting the horizon. 15 years ago it would have been just a couple of hours after I went to sleep. Now, it's six-and-a-half hours after I lay my head down on my pillow and knock off for the night. When my head hits that pillow, I am down for the count, at least until my daughter cries and my wonderful wife wakes up to tend to her and I slip blissfully and quickly back into slumber. Initially, I was waking up at 5:00 to work out and start my morning but I was always so groggy that it just didn't do me any good, and my workout would be both shorter than I liked and less intense because I was just so damn tired. So I tried 4:30. Better, but I wanted to spend some "me time" in the morning as well. Hence, Four o'clock in the morning. Now, when I trundle myself down the steps and into the dark kitchen, I have a cup of coffee, let the dogs out and feed them, and then journal for a few minutes. This is the key for me. I start my day with three things I'm thankful for, big or small, and then a short paragraph or two about the goals for the day or how I'm feeling, or really anything else that comes to mind. I feel productive when I do that, especially when I find my "highlight" of the day; the one thing I really want to accomplish. Generally, it's a task because I love having my projects, but other times it's something I want to do with or for my family. I write those highlights down as well. Then I read. Yup. at 4:30 in the morning I read a few pages to a chapter of a book focused on my professional aspirations, my personal betterment, or something motivational. I take notes. I pet the dogs. I sip coffee. It's nice. I try to do something for the house after that. Maybe I'll sweep the floors or run a load of laundry or clean the kitchen counters, or put the shoes away in the closet the right way. It's small and measurable and it makes a difference I like to take something off of my wife's plate where I can because she is so great as a stay-at-home mom that I can hardly stand it. (Side note, every time I think I've been working hard I check myself by looking at the work that she does.) Then it's time to sweat. I lift weights until I can't, then I do a little more. I generally turn on a Podcast or an audio book and just let the time go for an hour. It's a great way to get the heart pumping and to get ready for the day, plus I am protecting my health, and all it costs me is some time and some sore muscles. I have time for a quick shower and then I get to my favorite part- eating breakfast with my family before I have to leave for work. No, that's not the frog. Every thing before it was. By waking up early and starting my day productively I am better able to be an active participant in my life. I start by taking control and accomplishing tasks that are important to me as a father, husband, employee, and individual. Success isn't about talent or luck, though those can play a part. No, it's about hard work and perseverance. It's about making time for what's important. It's about priorities, and family, and friends, and work. It's about finding intrinsic motivation. It's about eating a live frog and deciding it's delicious, because it really is, if only you allow yourself to look at it from a different perspective.
3 Comments
Hopper Grant
10/31/2018 09:18:10 am
Pretty amazing perspective, and discipline!
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Grant Hopper
10/31/2018 09:22:07 am
Thanks, Jacob- but why steal my name! You have your own.
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Jacob Symmonds
10/31/2018 12:56:37 pm
Are you talking to yourself?!? Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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