A Day One Mindset is very important if you want to excel. Here, I’ll tell you how it has changed me, but first, let me share a story.

Friday Gym Motivation – Day One Mindset

I am currently staying at a hotel for work.

On Wednesday, when I was in the gym, there were about 10 people in it. Both treadmills were taken, and people were lifting weights, riding the bike, etc. It was nice to see it so busy. The next day, Thursday, there were two people in the gym with me.

And today, Friday, not a soul showed up at the workout room during my hour workout.  This is not incredibly surprising. It is Friday. The end of the week. People are probably tired from their Thursday night plans and not feeling super motivated on a Friday morning.

But this is exactly our issue. Most people operate with a mindset that focuses on the week. We are extra motivated (or anxious) on Monday. We keep this going through maybe Wednesday. Or Thursday morning perhaps. Then by Friday, we are pressing snooze and easing into the weekend.

The problem with this is we are only working hard to accomplish our goals about half the week. Then we are making excuses the other half of the week.

Day One Mindset – Consistency Over Motivation

We cannot rely on motivation. Motivation comes and goes. On Mondays, I am naturally motivated to work out, eat well, and get a lot done. On Fridays, I am not all that motivated to get up early and lace up my running shoes. Not to mention Saturdays or Sundays.

So how do we build consistency even when we are not motivated?

We build a Day One Mindset. Every day, when you get up, do not think about what day of the week it is (unless it gives you extra motivation). In truth, the day of the week is irrelevant.

Instead, think of it as being Day One.

Day One of working hard, kicking ass, and accomplishing your goals. Who cares if it is Friday?

This is a great reminder if you are trying to continue your workout routine while traveling, build your running mileage, or find Friday gym motivation.

Consistency Creates Motivation

I am not going to lie. I was not motivated to go to the gym today. First, I did not feel like getting up. Then, when I got up and had my coffee, I was tempted to just take a “rest” day. I have already run 42 miles this week and I am planning on a longer run tomorrow.

Also, I am at a hotel, not at home in my usual routine, and nowhere near nature. I am surrounded by unfamiliar busy roads and highways. The last thing I feel like doing is running on a treadmill again. I prefer running outside, especially when the weather is nice.

I can easily make up fifty excuses for not going to the gym on a specific day.

So how did I get out there?

I relied on my Day One Mindset.

I told myself it is Day One. Maybe it is Friday. And maybe I am tired. And maybe the treadmill sucks.  

But it is Day One of accomplishing my goals, and I am going to start by getting after it.

Once I was on the treadmill, I still did not feel full of energy. I am sore from strength training and interval runs. I also got up before my alarm so I was tired.

But the longer I ran, the better I felt.

I created my own motivation.

I was going to stop at five miles today. Once I got into it, I decided to (literally) go the extra mile.

And it was a great way to start the day. Positive. Productive. Focused. And already achieving.

That is the power of a Day One Mindset.