This morning my alarm went off at 4:30 am. Did I want to get up? No. Do I ever want to get up at 4:30 am? No. But I do it because I committed to getting up at 4:30 am every weekday, no matter what.

This morning was interesting because I’ve been sick for a few days and I woke up with a killer headache. A few years ago I would have used that as a great reason to sleep in, who can argue with a guy sleeping in that has been sick and woke up with a crazy headache? But, my commitment to getting up at 4:30 am is a “no matter what” commitment. If I sleep great, I’m getting up, if I sleep terrible, I’m getting up. When the kids wake me up 14 times a night, I’m getting up. When the kids only wake me up two times a night, still getting up. No matter what.

Determining you will do something no matter what is important because you can’t trust your future self. That person is a lazy procrastinator that wants to sleep in and eat bonbons all day. Think about it, at night before bed you are thinking clearly, and you decide to get up early so that you can work out. At that moment you are thoughtful, clear, and planning ahead. Then, the alarm goes off the next day. You don’t want to get up. There are at least 31 excuses that come to mind making it ok to miss “just this once.”

Let me ask this, is that morning self trustworthy? NO! Of course not! That self just wants to stay comfortable, don’t give in to that person. Trust the wise, decisive self from the night before.

When you are thinking clearly make your “no matter what” commitment. Then, when the time comes to execute, do it, no matter what.

Photo by Phil Coffman on Unsplash