This morning, as I rode my bike towards the last of three "nasty" hills (in COREageous-speak that translates into "wonderfully steep"), it reminded me of how important it is to build some momentum ahead of a challenge. If I wait to pick up the pace at the base of the hill, the climb is less forgiving. (Actually, "miserable" and "energy-sucking" are better descriptors.) It's much smarter to get some speed going a quarter mile before the incline.
I use this experience to incite a mental shift from the weekend to the workweek. On Sundays, while most people hang around and dread Monday, with a Sunday ritual you can get ahead of the pack and cruise full speed ahead into the workweek. If you let the Sunday-Monday doldrums attack you, it will take Herculean effort to pump up your mood and meet your milestones for the week. I also share this Sunday ritual lecture with my college clients, the future entrepreneurs.
Even if you're not a fitness nut, work with me here: Get up early Sunday while the house is quiet, hydrate and do some stretches. Read the news, check your phone, have a strong cup of coffee or tea. Enjoy a healthy breakfast with your family or a friend. Gather your gear, think about your route and air up the tires. Think about what you want to accomplish today. You're warming up easy on the flats. Look over your plan. See the hill way in the distance? It's comin' fast. Listen to a motivational podcast or read an article from your industry. Gradually pick up the pace, 100 yards to go before the incline. With your intellectual energy piqued, your focus strong and your phone turned off – get to work. You've got this! Charge up that hill!
Pick up the pace on Sunday. It'll be easy to keep that positive energy and determination going all week, without even breaking a sweat!