Quitting isn't Always Weakness

This week I decided that I needed my butt kicked a little bit with regards to routine. Lockdown had led to 'jet lag' and something needed to shift before I became nocturnal.

So I decided to do Miracle Mornings as suggested by Hal Elrod, and several of my friends/business mentors. I decided to live-stream them, because I definitely need accountability in my life, and telling the world of social media what I was doing made it far more likely that I'd actually do it!

Between either Facebook, my laptop or my internet connection, most of these lives didn't last the full hour, so I apologise for that, especially to the 20 or so people who joined me at various points throughout. I didn't take the time to reset and relaunch the stream each morning, because I was in the middle of my own prayer/affirmation/visualisation/exercise/reading/scribing time and I didn't want to be distracted from it troubleshooting a livestream.

I'm going to stick it out the whole week because I don't generally quit on things I've committed to, but here's what I've learned:

1) Miracle Mornings and tech failure don't mix. I can either run it perfectly for you, or do my own personal development. Not both.

2) I love starting my day with a structured hour each morning by myself.

3) Miracle Mornings don't work for me.

One and two seem to be at odds, but they aren't. Let me explain.

One of my skills is hyperfocus, but it can take me a while to 'get into' something. Time blocking is always a challenge. If I give myself 30 minutes to complete a task, I'll potentially only get five minutes done, because the doorbell will ring, people will wander in and ask for things, etc... but if I set myself two hours to achieve the same task (and tell my family strictly that I need two hours and cannot be disturbed - I rarely do this, but Matt will take the kids out to the park or something if I have a deadline) that 30-minute task might only take me 10 minutes and then I'm twiddling my thumbs and waiting for my family to come home.

Time blocking usually involves predicting how long a task will take (albeit building in a little time either side) but I really need a good chunk of time (and no time pressure) to work at my best and most efficient self.

'Miracle Mornings' requires you to change task every 10 minutes, which is something I HATE. I feel like I'm just getting into my book and it's time to start writing.

I understand that these bite-size chunks are great if you don't enjoy the task, but I only enjoy a task once I've been at it for a while. It's a struggle to start exercising (my bed is so warm) but 10 minutes in is when I'm starting to enjoy it, and definitely don't want to stop and start reading.

When I first mentioned I wanted to do Miracle Mornings and live stream for accountability, my husband said it was a bad idea. He said I have a history of pushing myself too hard and burning out, and it sounded like something that I would find stressful. I had that in the back of my mind and resonating in my mind was a quote by Reni Eddo-Lodge, that giving up isn't always weakness. Sometimes it's the right thing to do.

So I went into this process with grace for myself, promising myself that I'd give it a week, but recognising that it may not become the lifestyle change that last me for life.

All this is to say a) have grace for yourself and b) if you're like me and you want a morning routine that gives you a little more space, here's my current suggestion:

- Prepare your family in advance and let them know that in the morning you will not be available between 07:00 and 08:00 (or whenever you choose to start your routine)

1. Grab a big glass of water (I put green mandarin oil in mine, but any citrus will do)
2. Pop on your diffuser with something uplifting or that will help you focus. Currently, I'm using InTune or adaptiv.
3. Choose to meditate/pray/visualise/speak for 20 minutes. I actually like to blend these together. Dreaming with God is a fun practice and honestly? I want His input on my plans and ideas.

4. Read or write for 20 minutes. Alternate days. Don't try to do everything at once.
5. Exercise for 15 minutes.
6. Say your affirmations (or play them on your phone) whilst you shower.

If you've tried Miracle Mornings in the past, and they haven't worked for you, have a go with my gentler version.

And remember, quitting isn't always a weakness, as long as you learned something in the process.

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