When you wake up in the morning, does your mind say “can” or “can’t” ?
For most of my life, it was definitely the latter. That first discouraging thought would multiply in my head until I was facing a full crowd of doutbs, all chattering about how disastrous the day ahead was going to be.
Of course, most of us feel better after coffee or tea (or a quick workout, if you’re especially virtuous). This means we can usually sweep away morning fears within an hour or so. However, I’ve had good results lately with a two-step approach that works even before the caffeine hits. If you’re game, you could try it too.
It’s pretty simple, really. The first step is talking back to negative thoughts the minute they show up, which usually happens when I’m still in bed. I speak to my inner doomsayer as if she were an evil twin, using my favoite line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail: “You’ll be stone dead in a moment!”
Killing off my morning doubts reminds me that they’re mine to manage, which feels pretty good. (Crucial side note: when I’m in the grip of depression, I have much less control over negative thoughts — but I try anyway, because even if it’s not 100% effective, it really helps.)
The second step is making a list of things I’d like to get done that day, identifying the toughest and putting it first on the agenda.
Yeah. Not easy. But it can work like magic.
In my case, it’s a powerful call to face my deepest doubts — worries about my skills, my effectiveness, my chances of failing at this task. If I can send these fears to hell, or laugh at them a little, I can usually find a more confident path into the work itself.
The payoff comes when I knock out the scary task and cross it off my list. Even if it takes longer than expected, I’m dancing inside. I slayed the Doubt Dragon and wiped my sword on its filthy beard! YAY ME.
Of course, not all days roll out this smoothly, no matter how carefully I might strategize, and I’m guessing it’s the same for you. None of us have perfect control over what hits our desk or fills our social feed with disheartening news that derails our progress.
But the habit of addressing doubt early can give us the power we need to carry on when, inevitably, shit happens.
By the way, the usefulness of this approach might be why so many people write in their journals first thing in the morning. Not only are they giving themselves a chance to cleanse negative thoughts away before the day starts; they’re also prioritizing their own well-being. A brilliant way to start shaping the life you really, really want.
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Here are some writing prompts to help you explore your relationship with discouraging thoughts and map out your own motivation strategy.
How often do I wake up in a negative mindset? What are some of the most damning thoughts I have?
What’s my best strategy in talking back to negativity? How can I interrupt it early in the day?
What are some scary priorities that I could move to the top of my list today or this week?
If the priorities are big, how can I break them down into achievable units?
What would happen if even half of my days began in a more positive place?