Small Steps [On accountability]

I knew she was calling at 7:00 am.

Naturally, when my alarm went off at 6:45am, like a bear just being woken up while in hibernation, I growled at the clock and switched it off. My first thought was "dear alarm, please die."

This was followed by my brilliant half-asleep brain rationalizing "I'm good, I have 15 min before she calls and don't even have to get up until then."

My second alarm went off, more obnoxious than the first. It was a loud car alarm-styled noise, with honks and loud clashes included.

"Stop extending the length of time and pain you have in getting up. GET UP! 30 push-ups!"

Rolling over and in a brief, but defiant struggle, I threw my blanket to the side.

My self-talk got me out of bed and onto the floor. I started doing push-ups, counting up one by one.

Around push-up #15, I felt extremely weak and started thinking I've gotten old.

Around push-up #26, I was focused on finishing with proper form,

I was up.

Hitting the usual bathroom routine, I even had time to cut my nails before 7:00am.

RING RING!

(Actually, my ringtone is Kid Cudi - Day N Nite)

"Good morning!!!" came the light-hearted voice on the other end.

Leticia and I were ready for the day, both cheerful and pumped.

Three days earlier, we were talking about how scared we were about the fact that the summer was coming. We decided together to keep each other accountable, calling the other person on alternating days at 7:00am sharp to do three things:
1. Verbally go through our sales talk once (20 minutes)
2. Get up earlier to study for finals
3. Get into the habit of waking up earlier and earlier as the summer approached, but starting with a decent time (vs. going at it 6:00am for the next month)

By being accountable to somebody else, I knew I didn't have a choice in getting up, I had to do it.

We all know that once we're up for a while, we are awake. This has helped me so much in getting up!

In addition, I also feel more prepared for the upcoming summer, even though in the midst of exams, I'm spending 20 minutes to read over my sales talk once.

When finals are over, I'm kicking it into even higher gear with memorization, but for now - remember: baby steps are still moving you forward.