Do you ever wake up with that morning dread before work? Even if you love your job, there are a myriad of things that could go wrong that can play in your head and wreck your morning peace. Or sometimes you simply lack the “get up and go” The feeling is worse on a Monday (or especially, the day after a bank holiday, on which I am writing today!) because you are still attached to that wonderful feeling of no early mornings and no heavy responsibilities. The good news is, we can turn our attitude around in just four steps.
1. Mantra
The intention to feel good often comes before the feeling. This is where mantras come in. A mantra is a meaningful phrase that is usually repeated and often said aloud. You could choose the same phrase every day, or find a new one each day that gives you exactly what you need. I would suggest having a go-to mantra that is meaningful to you that you know will help give you that spring in your step. Whether you’re feeling good or not, I would repeat that mantra every day and form a habit with it. That way, when you’re feeling unmotivated, you don’t need to expend extra energy finding a mantra to make you feel better. It could be something like: Today is my day, and I’m going to make it great. Or, I often find it useful to describe myself in an aspirational way using three adjectives: I am strong, determined and kind. Sometimes, I need a less of a “Let’s go!” kind of mantra, and more one that feels like a hug: I am worthy of the beauty of today. At times, I’ll go for something more spiritual (I got this one from a set of motivational cards we have in work): If I am at one with the beauty of the universe, my peace cannot be disturbed. I heard some fantastic morning mantras from the Mel Robbins Podcast recently, which I’ll link here for inspiration. Some, or even all of these mantras may have made you cringe. That’s okay. The wonderful thing is, no-one needs to hear you say them! Even if it did make you cringe, I dare you to try it, just once, and see if it helps change your attitude.
2. Gratitude
No matter what kind of shit-show day we might be going into, there are always things to be grateful for. I find it useful to name five as a short exercise. I say five because I think usually the first three things you say are fairly obvious, then the last two may surprise you. However, even for the first three items, I don’t want you to be blasé about them. For example, if you say that you are grateful for your good health, why is that? What would your life be like if you didn’t have good health? If you’re grateful for your family – why? What do they bring to your life that you couldn’t live without? I try to express gratitude for things that I take for granted, that I don’t always remember to be grateful for. For example, on a Monday morning, I like to remind myself that I’m grateful for my job. I often think that many people would kill to have a job like mine (including past me) and that I’m grateful for this opportunity to earn a living that so many don’t have. Being grateful and being specific about your gratitude makes that dread feeling dissipate as you realise how lucky you are. I also find that gratitude multiplies – as soon as you start your list, you start to find more to add and find gratitude in the smallest of ways. It can also be a tiny pick-me-up throughout your day: “I am grateful I can buy and enjoy a coffee” or “I am grateful for this fantastic song on the radio”. Give it a go, see what abundance awaits you.
3. Movement
If there is one thing that is sure to snap you out of a bad mood, it’s exercise. It doesn’t need to be intense exercise that requires commitment and time, it can be something as simple at ten star jumps, a five minute total-body stretch, a ten minute walk. Take your pick. This is why a ten minute walk is part of my morning ritual. However, if I have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed, something as simple as jumping up and down a few times can reset the system and put you back into your body instead of swimming lost in your brain. This one is simple, no explanation needed. Just try it, I promise you’ll feel better.
4. Reward
Sometimes, you just have to reward yourself for getting up out of bed and getting on with the day. On days when I feel this way, I like to dangle a carrot for myself. If you complete the day, this is what you win at the end. I make a nice little plan for myself, like a new episode of my favourite TV show, a podcast episode I’ve been saving, or a nice dinner. I’m not going to lie, most of my nice little plans for myself involve entertainment (book, TV, podcast) and a nice little snack (it’s never not chocolate based). If I start the day with a reminder of the rewards to come, I feel much more motivated. I also know, then, that no matter what happens, my day will be nice because I have something to look forward to. The important part is, you have to make sure you actually give yourself the reward and that it’s realistic. Don’t dangle the carrot if you can’t deliver the crunchy goods: that’s just mean.
I hope this has given you a little bit of post-bank holiday motivation. Writing it has definitely pulled me out of my “The holiday was so nice, do I have to go to work?” slump. If you’re feeling equally slump-y, try these four pick-me-ups now, it will take five minutes: mantra, gratitude, movement, reward. Let’s go! Today is going to be a great day.
Linggow 