Life-Changing Habits

Two small habits that will change your life for the better are 1) go to bed early and 2) get up early. And if you were to offer these ideas to me even 7 or 8 years ago, I most likely would have rolled my eyes a little and smile politely, close your web page and walk away. 

So, how did I change my night owl habits and learn to be a morning person? (Well, I don't know if I'll ever be a morning person, but I did figure out how to go to bed much earlier and reap the benefits of being a morning person.)

First, set goals for yourself. if you want something worth getting up for, set some goals that drive and inspire you. When that alarm goes off, you will want to get up and get to work on those goals. After you have a goal, make sure you have your why for that goal. For instance, if your goal is to exercise a certain number of times each week, why is that your goal? Perhaps you want to be healthy, have more energy or just be able to eat desserts with abandon at your dinner out this weekend. Whatever your why, know it. 

Second, decide what you want your day to look like. If you just cannot seem to get things done until the kids are in bed for the night (hence your reasoning for staying up late), perhaps you could try the other way around and get up and moving just a little before the kids or with them. I must have quiet time each day, but the days are becoming more full, less quiet and going to bed early without that time is not good for me. This is a major reason why I get up early - and sometimes it is only 30 minutes earlier - because it gives me that alone time and helps prepare me mentally for the busy day ahead. 

Third, if you get up early, consistently, day after day, you will eventually start having to go to bed earlier or risk getting sick or being crabby all day. Go to bed earlier than you think. When I was first changing my habits I would start getting ready for bed as soon as I put my kids to bed. Then I was ready for bed, and if I had time could do a few things. Honestly, if you get up early, there is a lot of time to get a jump on all those things you were saving for after the kids are asleep. Go after those goals and discover how much more productive you are during the day, all from getting up early. 

Finally, getting up early and tackling the day gives you more time for you. If you want to spend that time on yourself, your family, crafting, reading, baking, gardening, visiting with friends - there is time for that, all because you woke up early and got the things you must do out of the way for those things you love to do. Make sure you plan for those things that fill your soul back up and help drive your desire to get up early and put yourself to bed early. 

Do it! Set some goals and bed times and stick with it. Readjust, look at what is working and figure out why. If you want, decide that a weekend night will be one where you stay up a little later. Give yourself rewards, and watch how the natural rewards of getting up early and going to be early change your life!