Make a Mid-Day Shift

You know what it's like when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed. One thing after another goes wrong and it seems like there's no going back. You chalk it up to a loss and say to yourself, "Better luck tomorrow." You may even call it quits and go to bed early so that you can get a fresh start the next day. Come here because I have a secret for you. Come a little closer. {whispers} You don't have to wait until tomorrow. You can shift your day...right now...at 12pm or 4:30pm or even after you shut down your work computer and move on to your night routine. It is never too late for a 180.

I used to be one of those people that let my start set the tone for everything that followed. And while I make a conscious effort to practice good habits in the morning to set my day off right, some circumstances are out of my control, and I have to intentionally make a shift.

Last Monday I just could not find my flow. I ain't gone hold you, maturing was doing its big one on me by waking me up with night sweats. I'd have to get out of bed in the middle of the night to change in order to get comfortable enough to fall back to sleep. Add on living in an apartment complex with a wailing dog downstairs and city sounds outside, your girl was not getting enough Z's.

I found myself waking up after the sun (and I've always been an early bird), exhausted from the broken sleep. I pushed through to manage my necessary tasks at work but the extra things I wanted to accomplish were a wash.

After my work day, I made a decision to get up, drink some Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA's) and go to the fitness center. I got me a good mediocre workout in, sat by the pool for a few minutes of vitamin D exposure and felt brand new. I came home, showered, put on some Olivia Dean, cooked dinner, watched a church sermon, took copious notes, and prepared for my next day to be an excellent one. I can't say Tuesday was perfect but it was better than the day before. I slept the whole night through and made it to the gym in the morning.

I was like, "Wow, I really just shifted my day at 4:00pm." I didn't have to wait 24 hours for a reset. I can do this at any point in the day. And guess what??? Yup, you guessed it —  you can too. Here's how:

1. Change Your Environment

Sometimes the problem isn’t your work ethic or motivation—it’s your environment. Your brain associates new environments with fresh starts, which can help you mentally restart your day.

A quick change can reset your mindset:

• Move to a different workspace

• Clean your desk

• Switch up the playlist and listen to music that energizes you

• Step outside for fresh air

2. Refuel Your Body

Low energy often comes from basic things we forget when we’re busy. Your brain and body are connected. When your physical energy improves, mental clarity usually follows.Try a quick reset:

• Drink water

• Eat something nourishing

• Take a walk

• Do a quick stretch

• Hit the gym for a high intensity workout, whatever floats your physical boat

3. Create a Mini Afternoon Game Plan

Instead of trying to salvage everything, create a small afternoon strategy.

Write down:

• 1 priority task (something that makes you feel accomplished)

• 1 small admin task (something that needs to get done)

• 1 personal task (something that fulfills you)

This structure keeps the rest of the day intentional instead of reactive.

4. End the Day With a Quick Reflection

Even if the morning was messy, finishing the day intentionally matters.

Ask yourself:

• What did I still accomplish today?

• What helped me reset?

• Did I eat or drink caffeine too late in the day?

• What can I start earlier tomorrow?

Often you'll find that you accomplished more than you thought. This keeps a bad start from turning into a bad mindset about your whole day or week. A productive day doesn’t require a perfect morning. Sometimes the real win is realizing you can shift your energy, refocus your priorities, and reclaim the rest of your day.

-Renee Nicole