I’ve been training people for over 20 years now. And do you know what the most consistent clients all had in common? They booked it in.

Whether they were CEOs, shift workers, new mums, or everyday people juggling life’s chaos, they didn’t wait until motivation showed up. They scheduled their workouts like any other important event, like school drop-off or a work meeting.

That’s the real shift.

Motivation comes and goes, but your calendar? That’s where commitment lives.

Having watched my partner navigate the intensity of motherhood, I know how hard it is to put yourself first. The juggling, the giving, the constant ‘other first’ attitude, it’s real and exhausting. But here’s the truth:

If it’s not scheduled, it slips. 

1. Choose your time and make it a non-negotiable
   Look at your week and find pockets of time, even if it’s just 18 minutes. Maybe it’s while the kids nap, before the chaos starts, or after bedtime. Block that time out in your calendar or reminder app. Treat it like any other unmissable appointment.
   
   
2. Prepare the night before 
   Have your workout clothes ready, your space cleared, and maybe a quick plan or video queued up. Setting this up ahead of time removes avoidable barriers and makes it easier to just show up.
   
   
3. Start small and be realistic 
   You don’t need a big chunk of time. Short, focused sessions can do wonders. Commit to just 18 minutes to begin with. The goal is to build a habit, not burn yourself out.
   
   
4. Listen to your body, but don’t let it rule your schedule 
   Some days you’ll feel great, others not so much. Your commitment is to the process, not perfection. Show up even if it feels imperfect, it’s progress, not performance, that counts.
   
   
5. Track and celebrate your wins 
   Mark those sessions off your calendar or tick them off in your app. Celebrate small victories, whether it’s sticking to your plan for a week or simply showing up on a day you thought you wouldn’t.