There is no such thing as a weekend;
It’s an everyday gig.
Every day is a Monday and I LOVE IT.
– Jocko Willink
I slept through most of my high school years. I’d wake up for school, get ready as fast as I could and sleep on the way there, sleep in the classes they allowed me to sleep in, sleep on the way home; I’d get to my room and crawl into bed if I could and sleep until 8 PM or so. Unless it was a Friday.
Then Monday would roll around again, and everyone is back to the grind. The daily, repetitive stirring of life’s stew. I’d continue to sleep whenever I could…
And that was normal.
I graduated high school early (hence, the emphasis on, “most of my high school years”) and quickly went to Bible school where SELF-discipline was a must. To make it to class, wake up early; to eat breakfast, wake up earlier; to spend time in the Word and with Jesus, wake up even earlier; to wake up early at all, go to bed on time.
It took several weeks to get in that rhythm. There were things I liked and disliked about the mornings, but I had to make it a regular occurrence. I had to learn how to do it, had to get used to it, and had to love it and make it matter.
And that’s where I was wrong.
The difference between “I have to do this” and “I want to do this” is the motive behind each phrase. The combination of the two brings more significant results, but when separated, the difference is motivation. You will get partially motivated to do something when you have to. You will get completely motivated if you want to.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3
“I have a hard time waking up in the mornings.” I’ve processed this statement with Ruvim so many times until he had an epiphany. It’s not that I have a hard time waking up in the mornings, it’s because I want to continue sleeping more than I want to start the day with the dawn. So, what do I want more?
“I don’t have time for the gym.” We make time for what we want. If we don’t want to make time for the gym, then okay, we won’t go to the gym. No need to beat ourselves up for something we don’t want to do. Is it the gym/weight room we want or the results of exercising and working out what we want?
“I’m not motivated enough,” Google told me motivation is a noun, which means the reason one has for acting or behaving particularly and the general desire or willingness of someone to do something. Here we are again with wanting to do something. If I’m not motivated, it means there’s something I want more than what it is I want to get motivated for. So, what is it I want?
“I’d like to spend more time reading the Bible but,” there’s something I’m prioritizing more right now; there’s something I want to do instead, so to say. We make excuses, expecting results or some push to action. Push comes to shove when these want’s turn into have-to’s. And have-to’s are usually despised…
These are just a few statements I’ve made before realizing it’s all about the mindset and attitude I have. (Thanks to my thoughtful husband!) Whether it’s spending time with my loved ones or washing the dishes, if I don’t want to do it from the start [and from the heart], it’s partial and not wholehearted.
I’m also not referring to situations where you physically might not do something (“broke a leg, can’t run”). I’m referring to those things in life, in our daily grind, that we can do, but they require self-discipline. I’m also not saying work, work, work every day. This isn’t about skipping rest days and Sabbaths. Come on…
“But I don’t want to do any of that.” Okay, do you have a reason to do any of it? If not, then okay. No one is making you. Look at the definition again – the reason one has for acting or behaving particularly. That’s motivation.
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
But the soul of the diligent is made fat.
Proverbs 13:4
I love Mondays. Every day is Monday. It’s not a “hangover” from Sunday. It’s not the “start of a new week.” It’s an everyday gig, like Jocko said. We’ve put weekends on this pedestal as if they’re different from the weekdays. But really, every single day differs from the other. You’re a day older than you were yesterday; you’re further into your year than last week; your body has changed and aged since last month; you’ve seen more and know more now than you did last year.
How do I want to do something, though? How can I make myself want to wake up early or whatever? It’s simple – I won’t get motivated until I get fed up with my current situation. I won’t get motivated if I continue to make or find excuses that don’t get me anywhere. I won’t get motivated if I say, “I’m too tired,” or “I’m too busy.” This is where the mindset shift needs to come in…
Do I have to do this? Or do I want to?
You will get partially motivated to do something when you have to.
You will get completely motivated if you 100% want to.
It’s all about the mindset.
tanyaremkiv 
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