FLIP THE SCRIPT: How Better Words Transformed My Mornings & Workout Routine

Today, I’d like to introduce a new type of story to my repertoire: Flip the Script.

“Flipping the Script” is when I take a belief that’s usually limiting and flip it around so it’s constructive.

For example, in this post, I described how I wanted to prioritize my creative pursuits, but when I took the time to examine my Calendar, I immediately thought “I’m too busy,” and “I just don’t have time.”

I couldn’t “Flip the Script” to suddenly say “I’m not busy,” because that wouldn’t be true.

So instead of “I don’t have the time,” I flipped it: 

I created the time by promising to go to bed earlier, so I could wake up at 5am to do my Creative Writing.

Even though I initially hated it, it’s turned into my cherished morning routine.

I mean that. Sincerely. 

I changed from someone who loved to sleep in and lazy around for an hour on the weekend, to someone who’s happy to bounce up out of bed.

Seriously. I don’t even have to set an alarm!

I don’t say that to brag. I say it because I never, EVER, thought I’d get to call myself a “Morning Person.”

So what’s my secret? 

I’m sure on some level, the coffee machine’s played a significant role, but, more than that…

I attribute just 1 “Flip the Script” to my success:

“I don’t have time.” ➡️FLIPPED TO➡️ “This time is just for me.”

The first time I tried it, I could barely sit up in bed. I’d gotten to bed far later than I’d planned and it felt (and I probably looked) like Hell just to raise my head up off the pillow.

But, I refused to slip back into my dreams, because I had another dream: to prioritize my Creative Writing. I’d promised myself to do it, even a little. 

Every. Single. Day.

So with a rub of the eyes and a groggy tilt of the head, the thought suddenly popped into my head, “This time is just for me,” and I forced myself to get up.

No need to make the bed. There was little time as it was to get this done before I’d have to get ready for work.

The next morning, I repeated it. “This time is just for me.”

Then at night, I told myself, “Tomorrow, 5am. That time is just for me.” 

By the end of the week, I had a new daily ritual: the night time reminder, repeated as my little morning wakeup call.

That’s all it took. 

How could 6 words hold so much power? 

I was mystified by it myself. 

Later, I came to realize it’s because of the wording. It’s like some hidden part of me just knew what I needed to hear: that I was doing it just for me. 

And somehow that transformed what could’ve been construed as LESS — less time to sleep, more time I could’ve felt like I was spread too thin — and transformed it into MORE:

More time to be creative. 

More time to write something that wasn’t for my job. 

More time to see myself as an individual, not just someone who gave everything to my family all of the time. 

Yes, giving myself time to do something just for me, is what gave it so much power. It boosted my sense of agency.

And, as the days passed, it felt like a gift I was giving myself.

Time for me to think and reflect and write and explore my creativity.

And the more I did, the more momentum I gained, until I didn’t need to say my mantra anymore. 

My ideas took shape and my characters came to life. Each with their own strengths and weaknesses and idiosyncrasies, and they began to visit me at all hours of the day. What adventure would they go on next? What obstacles would they have to overcome?

My brain always seemed to be listening and one book became two, then three, and now four.

But, I haven’t forgotten the magic.

The words — “This time is just for me” — continue to work like a charm.

Now I use them at the gym, every time I go. Every time I don’t feel like it, the words whisper to me and, before I know it, I’m on my way, opening the gym door.

What about you?

Do you ever say, “This time is just for me”? 

The Gift of Time in me honors & respects the Gift of Time in each of you,

Marisa

🎤 📺 🎤

If you would like to hear or see me succeed (or flop 😂) as I practice in public, and you’d love to learn about the science of self-improvement, please Subscribe to my new YouTube Channel and signup for my free Substack Newsletter.

Together, we’ll explore all the ways that we can 10x our life — mind, body, & soul.

We’ll learn the scientific, physiological, and psychological reasons why we are the way that we are, and combine that understanding with simple, active practices that will:

• Enliven our emotions & creativity;

• Enhance our efficiency & productivity;

• Foster a greater depth of Self;

• Build the Secure Attachment that we need to develop a Growth Mindset; and,

• Reprogram our minds to pivot from the Sympathetic Nervous System to the Parasympathetic Nervous System when we need it to, more often than not.

I’ve planned so many exciting & fun things to share with you (in addition to music!) and I can’t wait for you to get all the FREE goodies I’ve prepared for you.

We CAN do this, TOGETHER!

Marisa