The Power of Preparation165Few things make waking up early more fun than having
a little nook all set up, ready, and waiting for me to snuggle
down and let God fill me up so I can live the day for Him.
If we put in the preparation beforehand, when the alarm
goes off, the rest will be easy. Here are some key preparations
we can make to give us the best possible opportunity to create
a long- lasting morning habit.
The Night Before
The simplest way to prepare is to simply think about
preparing. It doesn’t get any easier than that, right? Mental
preparations are the seemingly small things you need to do to
ensure you actually get up and have your morning time.
You can set an alarm in the evening to just start think-
ing about going to bed on time or figuring out solutions for
obstacles you face (for instance, if it’s cold, think of putting
a robe by the bed). You can also decide when you’ll set your
alarm; gather your Bible and study tools, exercise clothes, cal-
endar, coffee, or tea; and set up your morning spot.
I find it incredibly helpful to spend a few minutes as I
fall asleep thanking God for the day and then intentionally
remembering why I am planning to get up with purpose
tomorrow. Simply remembering that God has a purpose for
you can be the spark you need to get you out of bed. Or
remembering why you want to start the day with a few jump-
ing jacks, not just because it’s on your list and you feel as
though you should but because you’re blessed to be able to
move— and the more energy you have, the better you’ll be
able to live your life well.
Honestly, I think your bedtime routine is almost as crucial