Testing out new habits

So I have signed up for being a beta tester for a “Habits Course” developed by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits. Zen Habits is a blog I read in a regular way for self improvement and self-development tips (though I’ve done a piss-poor job of actually implementing any of them).

The habits course is trying to begin one good or eliminate one bad habit, and how to go about it. The idea is that it takes time, and to develop a solid plan for doing so. Knowing that I could come up with a habit I should either start or stop, I signed up.

No, this is NOT a request for suggestions. :)

The habit I’ve decided to work on is getting up in the morning. I have always been a “bed lounger” - lying around, staring at the ceiling, not wanting to get up until the absolute last minute I possibly can, and then running around in a flurry as I try to get everything done. It always ends in my getting out the door late, and then cascades into the whole day being late, and me running on “Nick time”.

So what to replace lounging with? If I still want to have a quiet start to the morning, I’m thinking that starting the day with 10 minutes or so of quiet meditation would be for the best. Not forcing myself to do something like go jogging, or other such things. Quick switch for switch.

The first week is planning - so I have vacation to plan and adjust, which sets me up for the perky mornings starting right when we get back. I’m looking over the planning sheet, and I’m going to fill it out here first.

What is your target habit?
Beginning the day with 10 minutes of meditation immediately.

How difficult/easy is this habit? *
7 - will be hard to break 37 years of being a morning slouch

What will be your daily trigger?
Alarm clock goes off.

Specific action you'll do after the trigger
Get up, put on teakettle, then sit down to meditate.

Probable obstacles and how you'll overcome them.
Apartment is not conducive to meditation and the process I want to incorporate - will work on that in the planning week.
I am a natural-born morning slacker - will overcome with promise of coffee post-meditation, and reminders that, well, this is the whole point, now isn’t it?

Positive reinforcement and encouragement plan:

Positive reinforcement will be coffee and breakfast (part of the reason for the change as well). Also a quick walk out to the bridge if it’s nice enough for a walk.
And hopefully, just enjoying that I did it. :)

Accountability system:
Daily reporting system build into the Habit system.

Support system:
Will be posting on FB, though not with status updates. there is something called 30 days that I think will work without annoying my friends.

Research:
There’s all the research about meditation being beneficial, and I know I will never be the type to jump up and run a few miles. I also know step 1 of the process (cut the nightly cocktail) will also be of great benefit as well.

So yeah - that's my plan, though i need to wait until vacation to do the planning, though I can start in on some of the prep. Will be interesting to see if this works.

Detox

Spring cleaning time. I will make a notable exception for a friendly beer with a certain very cute someone if she comes over. However, other than that, the booze is done for the time being. Detox begins. Time to get healthy again.