How I Reframed My Thinking to Achieve My 10K Steps Goal: A Sunrise Walk at Lake Jackson
Building a habit is never easy, especially when you struggle with staying motivated.
For me, one habit I’ve been trying to develop is walking every morning.
The idea of getting up early to walk for health benefits sounds great in theory, but in practice, I often found myself skipping it.
While I know walking is great for both my physical and mental health, I just couldn’t find the motivation to follow through consistently.
But one morning, everything changed.
Instead of focusing on the walk itself, I decided to reframe how I thought about it.
Here’s how it worked:
The Struggle
I’d wake up early with the best intentions, but the thought of just walking felt boring and purposeless.
I didn’t feel inspired, and there was no deeper meaning to the task that could keep me going.
Even knowing that it was good for me wasn’t enough to push me out the door.
The Reframing Formula
Instead of thinking about the walk itself, I decided to give it a greater purpose.
If you’re struggling to achieve a goal or build a habit, I highly recommend using this formula:
Reframing Formula:
- Identify the task you're avoiding – In my case, it was simply walking every morning.
- Shift focus to a purposeful activity – I thought, “What if I turn this walk into an exploration? What if I visit Lake Jackson, enjoy the beauty of nature, and take some photos? and made videos”
- Add an element of enjoyment – I decided I’d make a video and enjoy the process.
- Embrace the fun and curiosity – Instead of thinking about the walk as an obligation, I framed it as an opportunity to experience something beautiful, capture it, and enjoy the moment.
Suddenly, the thought of walking became more exciting and less of a chore.
I was no longer dreading the idea of walking; I was looking forward to the adventure of exploring the lake.
It wasn’t just about hitting a fitness goal—it was about enjoying nature, being present in the moment, and doing something I loved.
The Walk
I got out the door, dji Osmo Pocket 3 camera in hand, and walked for an entire hour without even thinking about the fact that I was walking.
I focused on the beauty of the sunrise, the peaceful sounds of birds chirping, and the soft waves of the water.
The time flew by as I took photos and made a video, and before I knew it, I had completed my 10K steps.
The Results of Reframing
This reframing technique didn’t just help me walk—it helped me enjoy the walk and keep my motivation high.
The walk became something I looked forward to, not just something I felt obligated to do.
Reframing my thoughts about the walk made it more meaningful and allowed me to stay committed to my goal.
I had fun, got my exercise in, and experienced a beautiful morning at Lake Jackson, all while holding myself accountable.
Why This Works
By shifting my focus to something more purposeful and meaningful, I was able to overcome the mental roadblock that typically held me back.
The goal wasn’t just to walk for the sake of walking—it was about embracing the experience, enjoying nature, and feeling the sense of accomplishment in a new and exciting way.
If you’re struggling to build a new habit or accomplish a goal, try reframing your thinking.
Instead of focusing on the task as an obligation, try finding a way to make it something meaningful and enjoyable.
Whether it’s exploring a new place, learning something new, or making a fun video, you’ll be amazed at how much easier it becomes when the task feels purposeful.
In short
It’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of resistance when we don’t see the meaning or fun in what we’re doing.
But with a little reframe of our mindset, we can turn even the most mundane tasks into rewarding experiences.
I’m so glad I reframed my thinking, because today, I got my 10K steps and experienced the beauty of Lake Jackson—all while enjoying every moment of the journey.
Give this method a try next time you’re struggling to achieve a goal.
You might just find that the journey becomes more enjoyable, and your goal more attainable.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you find joy in your next walk, run, or any activity that makes you feel good! 🌅💛
P.S. If you're interested, here's a video of my walk around Lake Jackson. Take a moment to enjoy the sunrise with me!
