Retirement Morning Makeover Challenge: Day 6

The Importance of Habits and Routines

With your new morning game plan figured out, it’s time to put it into action,  make it your new morning routine. Why is this important? Because your current routine is not working very well, and it is time to implement something new.

You want to make sure your new plan happens every morning without fail, and making the choice to stick with your new routine is the best way to make sure that happens.

Before something becomes a habit or a routine, it takes a lot of willpower  and a firm decision to change, and make things happen. Yes, it will take some willpower, mental energy, and drive at first to create the new morning habits, but once they are set, it will become automatic just like brushing your teeth before bed. 

Once you come up with a good morning routine, stick to it for a few weeks. That’s the best way to turn it into a strong habit. They say it takes 21 days to change a habit.  Before long, it will feel like the new normal and you will no longer have to remind yourself to do each thing along the way.

It will become a habit and a routine you’ll follow automatically. It will take a lot less effort and mental pep-talk to get things done… even if your new routine includes a 30 minute run, or getting up early to work on your new online class.

Watch out for moments when you slip back into your old habits and routines. It’s going to happen!! The key is to catch it early, and get back on track as quickly as possible.

For example, let’s say you’ve been doing well with waking up 30 minutes earlier and going for a walk before you start your day. Then one day you oversleep and can’t make it out there. Or the weather turns too bad, you get sick or hurt, or something else pops up that keeps you from going on that run. That’s life. It happens. What’s important is what you decide to do the next morning.

Do what you can as soon as you notice the disruption. If the weather is bad, do a quick workout at home, or head to the gym to run on the treadmill. If you overslept, try to squeeze in a few minutes of meditation or doing something to grow your business before you get back to the rest of your day. Most importantly get back on track with your regular morning routine as soon as possible.  Actively remind yourself to get back on track for a few days until it routine is firmly back in place. You’ll be glad you did when you start to see the results you’ve been hoping for.

Please download the 21-Day Worksheet here. Use it to record this action, daily, for 21 days… simple pen and paper to make your new morning routines work!

Phases of the 21 Days it Takes to Form a New Habit 

HONEYMOON

You are thinking “this is easy.” The honeymoon phase is likely happening during this challenge. You are inspired by the challenge and the other participants ideas,  but after we are gone, what happens? Don’t let your momentum end! 

FIGHTING OLD HABITS

Inspiration begins to fade and reality sets in. You begin to struggle with the same old habit. Those old habits are always waiting for you to comply… after all, you’ve done them for years.  Just tell yourself you joined the Morning Makeover challenge for a reason and intend to keep on moving forward!

Ask yourself: How will I feel if I fall back to the same old morning routine?  If you don’t mind, then you will fall back. If you care enough to change, if you’ve found a new routine that you know will work better for your retired lifestyle, you certainly will follow through!

MAGIC HAPPENS -- New Morning Routines = Better Life!

This is where you are getting in the groove.  Your routine becomes second nature. You have worked through the 7 days of the challenge, maybe twice… and  you know this is working well for your daily life. You visit the Facebook group frequently, even when you mess up, seeking support of others looking for their best mornings!  Keep it going!