Who Pays the Piper?
Internal Dialogue: A Sitcom in My Head
Times are tough. Words like stress, overwhelm, and exhaustion sneak into my brain like uninvited guests at a wedding—eating all the cake and refusing to leave. Do you experience this too? That little voice in your head constantly narrates your life like a budget documentary?
I can guarantee one thing.
If you want something to change, you have to do something about it. Unless, of course, you’re hoping for a fairy godmother to pop in and fix everything, in which case, good luck—Cinderella had better connections than the rest of us.
Morning Routine: The Ritual of the Semi-Enlightened
I have a routine. Every morning. Well, nearly every morning. Okay, let’s be real—most mornings, when I’m not trapped in the gravitational pull of my queen bed.
Here’s what happens: I leap (stumble) out of bed at the crack of dawn (or slightly after), shuffle into the next room like a wise but under-caffeinated monk, stretch, read something inspiring, and meditate. Light a candle, not for spiritual reasons but because it makes me feel like an Instagram wellness guru.
And you know what? It works! Keeps me on track, and it keeps me sane. It stops me from wandering into existential crises at breakfast.
But Sometimes, I’m Slack. And It Shows.
Confession time: around Christmas and New Year, my routine takes a well-earned holiday. My discipline disappears faster than a chocolate cake at a weight-loss convention.
And the result? Chaos. The mental equivalent of a toddler let loose in a supermarket.
The irony is, I know this routine is good for me. Years ago, my coach drilled it into me like a life-saving skill. It protects me from the sticky drama glue of negative thoughts. You know that voice that whispers, "You should just stay in bed. Productivity is a capitalist lie." Yeah, that guy. My routine shuts him up.
The Great Irony: 90% Feels Like Failure
A while back, I told my coach, “I don’t like operating at 90%. It just doesn’t feel right.”
He laughed so hard I thought he’d swallowed his own wisdom. “Mate,” he said, “spare a thought for the people who live at 20% every day.”
That was humbling. I felt like I’d complained about my WiFi speed to someone still using a carrier pigeon.
The Slippery Slope of New Relationships, Travel, and Other Excuses
A new partner enters the picture. Suddenly, my routine is optional. Do I really need to meditate? Stretch? Be functional?
Turns out, yes. Yes, I do. Because when I let my routine slide, I slide with it—straight into the arms of stress, procrastination, and questionable life choices.
Recently, I’ve been hovering below 100%. I feel it. And, honestly? It sucks.
If you’re picking up what I’m putting down, you’ll know that living below the line (in drama, stress, and self-doubt) is like being stuck in a soap opera you didn’t audition for.
I owe my clients 100% of me, not the half-baked, sleep-deprived version running on fumes and coffee. That’s why I do my morning routine. And yes, it takes two hours—including my bike ride and coffee. But let’s be honest—that coffee isn’t just a reward. It’s life support.
A Quick Test: Where Are You Right Now?
Let’s do a fun little experiment.
Stop what you’re doing. Right now. For 15 seconds.
What’s in your head? Are your thoughts proactive, abundant, and full of yes-I’ve-got-this energy? Or are you in the oh-no-everything-is-terrible camp?
If you’re above the line, fantastic! Go forth and conquer. If you’re below the line…well, welcome to the club. But the good news is, you don’t have to stay there.
Final Thought: Make Today Outstanding
Whatever happens today, I hope you make it an Outstanding Day.
And if all else fails? At least have the coffee. That’s non-negotiable.
Where does this Idiom come from?