I recently saw a TikTok by Arnold Schwarzenegger. It shows him explaining his morning routine. He feeds his animals, he gets on his bike, he rides to the gym, and he works out. He used the words, “Don’t think. Do.”
How many times have you let your mind talk you out of something you know you need to do, but end up losing to the internal argument you have with yourself? I know I have. You come up with all kinds of justifications as to why you can miss a day of work, blow off your homework, or put off some other important task.
I think Arnold’s advice is good. If you just execute without thinking, you’ll get the job done. You’ll get that thing off of your to-do list. Then you can think about how disciplined you are, and how you got that thing done for the day.
With the things we enjoy, we don’t normally go through these mental gymnastics, but exercise, writing, literally anything we deem as work or somewhat uncomfortable, we will always be tempted to blow them off for something more comfortable, like binge watching a television show, playing some video games, or doing something else we identify as more enjoyable.
You can’t fight yourself on multiple fronts. So, I wouldn’t try to “force” yourself to do too many things your internal workings are rebelling against. Pick one or two things you want to turn into habits and apply this way of thinking to them. Don’t think about them. Do them.
To build an exercise routine, I knew that if I did not go first thing in the morning, or on the way home from work, I would not go. I would come up with some lame excuse and it wouldn’t get done. So, I get up, mix my pre-workout drink, and head to the gym. I don’t give myself time to think about it. When I get to the gym, I’m ready to go. Once, I’m done, I always feel a sense of accomplishment.
You can use Arnold’s technique for anything you want to get done. Give it a whirl. You have nothing to lose.
Until next time…
Dave