Getting Started

I am sitting at the kitchen table. Outside, the sky is grey, and the sun is fighting to peek through a blanket of clouds. A cup of coffee is sitting next to me. Steam from the cup is rising toward the ceiling. As I sip my coffee, I am thinking about starting my daily exercise. There is one problem, I am comfortable at the kitchen table and contemplating skipping my workout. I like to run every day and take pride in not missing a day of exercise. Running creates energy and releases endorphins that power my day. Recently, I completed a long streak of daily running before leaving for vacation. I need to begin a new streak but lack the motivation to start.

How do we get started on a task when we are in our comfort zone?

Twenty minutes later, I am still sitting at the table. My coffee cup is almost empty. I am reading a book about the life of Fred Rodgers and trying to motivate myself to exercise. I know the benefits of running but still cannot get out the door. Different scenarios about what I should do are playing in my mind. One scenario is to take the day off and start tomorrow because I am tired from two weeks of travel and need rest. The other scenario is that to be a dedicated runner, I need to put in some miles not to lose my fitness. The process of thinking about my options is tiring. All I want to do is make more coffee or take a nap. I am now stuck in my comfort zone and looking for a way out.

The way to begin any task is to take the first step. There are many different methods for starting a task. Some people employ a countdown method. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Go! Another approach is to break larger tasks into smaller ones. A third method is to tell yourself you will do a task for a short time, say five minutes, and then decide to continue or leave the task after the time runs out. There are many other methods people utilize to get a task started. The challenge is to find the one that works for you.

Back at the kitchen table, I am thinking about my options. I decide I will start warming up for my run and, after five minutes, determine if I need a day off. I begin my warm-up with jumping jacks and progress through my routine. As I finish foam rolling my legs, I decide to take a short run. After a few minutes of running, I begin to feel better. The fresh air is invigorating. I see other people out running, walking, and biking. I wave at each person who passes by, and they wave back. We are making a connection as we exercise. We are acknowledging that we decided to get outside and move instead of sitting at the kitchen table.

The sun finally breaks through the clouds. I am one mile down the road and getting into a running rhythm. I am having fun now and happy that I decided to start my run. I enjoy nature, seeing people, and taking care of my health. A straightforward action has created this time of joy. I continue running for another fifteen minutes. I keep to my plan and do a short run. As I arrive back at the house, I feel good and look forward to my post-run stretching session. During my run, I planned the rest of my workday. I feel energized by physical activity.

Choosing to move out of my comfort zone rewards me with new energy and motivation to embrace the rest of my day.

How do you motivate yourself to move out of your comfort zone?