As much as I aspire to be one of those individuals who springs out of bed each morning, eager to embrace the day ahead, that just isn’t my reality. I am not inherently a morning person. However, I’ve noticed that on days when I have plans or feel mentally balanced, getting out of bed is significantly easier. In contrast, on the tougher mornings, my bed feels like a cozy prison. I dread facing the day, don’t want to wake up, and certainly wish to remain enveloped in the warmth of my blankets.
Fortunately, I’ve discovered a technique that makes a difference: I call it the “one-hour strategy.” The idea is simple: within one hour of waking up, I need to be out of my bed. If I glance at the clock and it reads 8 a.m., I must be up by 9 a.m. My competitive nature often kicks in, transforming this personal challenge into a game with myself.
I remind myself: Just give it a try. Get out of bed and see what happens. If, after an hour, I still feel worse, I can always return to bed—and sometimes I do. But at least I’ve made the effort. I don’t need to enjoy the day; I just need to engage with it.
Being up opens the door to a chain reaction of activities. Once I’m out of bed, I might as well take a shower, prepare breakfast, and who knows—I might even step outside today. While I can’t guarantee this method always leads to productivity, I consistently feel better for having made the attempt.
I encourage you to give yourself that one hour—60 minutes or 3,600 seconds. It might be challenging, and you may find yourself sitting on the floor or the landing instead of fully upright, but at least you tried. You rose and gave today a chance. You did your best, and there’s no shame in that. Every effort counts.
Remember, there’s significant power in taking small steps. You can achieve a lot in just one hour. You are fighting; you have already gotten out of bed.
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