7.24.2012

Tuesday Tips--On Succeeding

Do what works for you. Don't set yourself up for failure. Put yourself in a position that will give you the results you want. For example, I like to run and exercise in a general way. I do not like being smothered, even at 6am, by humid air. So if I plan to run and then don't get ready until 8am (hah 10am) I'm not likely to actually get much good out of any workout that I do, if I do even end up running. So we got a gym pass last week and I'm currently loving air conditioning, treadmills and knowing how far and hard I'm really running.

Another example: I sometimes have a really hard time waking up in the mornings. I have my routine down to the nanosecond so that I can just get up and race, tornado-like, around my house and get out the door just in the "Nick" of time. Lately I've wanted to photograph the early morning light, but  when the alarm clock chirped I usually hit snooze because the cost outweighed the benefits. And yet those pictures are of the sunrise, not sunset. I've been awake for three sunrises in the last two weeks by being awake on the "wrong" side of morning rather than getting up early. Do what works for you.

15 comments:

  1. HAHA I think you just described my morning routine to a T. These shots are beautiful... no matter which side of the morning they were taken on. Good advice. ;)

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    1. Thanks Laicie! It's good to know that I'm not the only one who struggles to get up. :)

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  2. I LOVE gyms, and their treadmills and ellipticals! For some reason, I run so much longer on them than I do outside. It could be because there's too many hills outside or that it's great to know all the stats of how much I'm running. Either way, I'm a huge fan of the gym.
    ♥ xixia | thisisxixia.com

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    1. Hills can be killer, but then when you're in flatter territory your the strongest one around.

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  3. great photos. Absolutely stunning.
    and yes, I have a hard time waking up too. I'm always getting out of the house in the nick of time too!

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  4. These are beautiful photographs. I wish I could get up early but it never really happens because I stay up late. Someday I'll manage to fix my sleep schedule, hopefully.

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  5. Beautiful shots! You know, I think you give a good reason for getting a gym membership. I realize that I always end up dragging myself (plus my dog) around in the humid heat.

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  6. these are beautiful pictures! totally agree- you have to find what you will do, not what aligns with what you want to do.

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    1. It's about being realistic. That doesn't mean you shouldn't keep trying to form new habits but make sure that they're going to happen so you don't have to beat yourself up for failing to reach your goals.

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  7. So true! Beautiful pictures. I think I'm getting a membership too, I enjoy working out indoors so much more.

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    1. I'm not being paid to say this or anything but there's a pretty sweet deal with Planet Fitness, good place and very cheap and you're not locked into any contract if you do it in person rather than online.

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  8. Hi Alison,
    ... and sometimes, I do think about what it's like to look up and only see buildings taller than trees.
    To be surrounded by the pulse of the city, and so much people. Now - you can be my window to all that, and I may show you more flowers, animals and rubber boots than you wish for :)

    Lilli

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  9. I loooooove these pictures!! I want to wake up at sunrise and take some pictures..

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  10. Oh, how I needed these words. Thanks. We always try to do things that we are told are right or cool...but the coolest thing you can do is live your life the way you are. As you said, do what works for you. If it's sleeping late in morning, fine.
    Change of subject: I've read you cook allergy friendly. I'm super allergic to a lot of foods, so I think I'm going to take a look around your blog for extra tips. They're never enough.

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  11. I'll wait till fall for a proper sunrise, I live in Finland so we are constantly having sun nearly 24hrs for about two months :D but it has been such a long time since I saw the sunrise but ALWAYS catch the midnight dawn. I also need to stop the habit of snoozing my alarm clock, that is just wrong. Inspiring words, exactly what I have in mind to start doing. E.

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Thanks for your nice words. I appreciate them so much.