Have you ever planned to exercise, felt motivated the night before, but struggled to get out of bed and start the next morning?
Sometimes, the hardest part of reaching a goal isn’t doing the activity itself. It’s getting started.
In this conversation with Adeline, Alex Lombardi shares a simple but practical strategy to help reduce procrastination and make it easier to follow through on a workout plan.
Her advice focuses on one important idea: Make the decision once, prepare ahead, and make the first step easier.
👕 Prepare Your Workout Clothes the Night Before
Alex explains that one reason people struggle to take action is the amount of time between making a decision and actually doing it.
For example, you may decide that you want to exercise in the morning. But when you wake up, you might start thinking about what to wear, whether you feel motivated, or whether you should exercise later instead.
Alex suggests removing some of those decisions by preparing your workout clothes the night before.
Lay everything out somewhere visible, preferably in a place where it will be the first thing you see when you wake up.
This small preparation can help you start your morning with less thinking and fewer steps to complete.
⏰ Don’t Give Yourself Time to Overthink
Alex’s next suggestion is simple: When you wake up, get up and change into your workout clothes immediately.
Instead of staying in bed debating whether you should exercise, follow the plan you already made the night before.
The goal is to reduce the opportunity to talk yourself out of doing something you have already decided is important to you.
You have already made the decision. Now, you just need to take the first step.
🧠 Small Preparations Can Make a Difference
Sometimes, reaching a goal becomes easier when we remove unnecessary obstacles.
If getting ready feels like too much work, preparing in advance can help simplify the process.
You can use the same idea for other daily activities:
📝 Prepare a short to-do list the night before.
👕 Choose your clothes ahead of time.
🎒 Put everything you need in one place.
⏰ Set a reminder for the activity you want to complete.
🎯 Focus on starting with one small action.
You don’t have to figure everything out in the moment. A little preparation can make the next day feel more organized.
💗 Making It TBI-Friendly
For people living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), starting and completing everyday activities may require extra planning and energy.
Some days, even getting ready for an activity can feel overwhelming. Having fewer decisions to make may help reduce some of that pressure.
Here are a few gentle reminders:
🐢 Start with a manageable activity.
📝 Write down your plan so you don’t have to rely on memory.
👕 Prepare what you need ahead of time.
😌 Allow yourself time to rest.
💗 Adjust your plans according to your energy and abilities.
If exercise is part of your recovery or wellness routine, choose activities that are appropriate for your individual needs and follow guidance from your healthcare professional.
Remember, the goal is not to push yourself beyond your limits. It’s to find a manageable way to stay engaged with activities that matter to you.
💗 Love Love Brain Thoughts
Sometimes, we spend so much time thinking about what we want to accomplish that taking the first step becomes the biggest challenge.
Alex’s advice reminds us that we can make things easier by preparing ahead of time.
You don’t need to wait until you feel completely motivated. Start by making one small decision today that will help you tomorrow.
Lay out your clothes. Prepare what you need. Make your first step simple.
And remember, progress doesn’t have to be perfect or happen all at once.
Prepare ahead, stop overthinking, and give yourself a chance to follow through. 💗
💬 We’d Love to Hear From You
Do you sometimes struggle to get started with exercise or other daily activities?
What helps you move from making a decision to taking action?
Share your tips and experiences in the comments. Your ideas might help someone else take that first step!
🎥 Watch the Video
Want to make it easier to stick to your goals? 🏃 Watch Alex Lombardi share a simple tip to beat procrastination, prepare ahead, and make taking action easier! 💗
📚 Learn More About Alex Lombardi
Alex’s Book Title:
What You Build From Here
Alex’s Website:
Alex Lombardi Official
Alex’s Instagram:
@alexlombardiofficial
Alex’s Facebook:
Alex Marie Lombardi
Alex’s Podcast:
Explore Enriched with Alex Lombardi on Apple Podcasts.
Book Review:
What You Build From Here
Get the Book on Amazon:
What You Build From Here
Visit Alex’s website to learn more about her work, speaking opportunities, and The Brain Edit™.
If you enjoyed this interview, consider exploring Alex’s book and following her work for more ideas on intentional living, personal development, building sustainable habits, and creating a life aligned with your goals.
Affiliate disclosure: Love Love Brain may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through the Amazon affiliate link, at no additional cost to you.
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Note: Every brain injury is different. This content is for education and support, not medical advice. The experiences shared in this interview are personal, and strategies that help one person may not be appropriate for everyone.
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