What Got Me Out of Bed This Morning (and How It Can Transform the Way You Work)

Dec 3, 2025
3 min read

Hispanic man walking his Siberian Husky in the rain under a bright yellow umbrella, wearing winter rain gear on a cold urban street.

Living with bipolar disorder means some mornings feel like climbing a mountain before my feet even hit the floor. Today, three things got me up — my dogs, the “Next Right Thing” mantra, and a bright yellow umbrella. Simple things. Human things.

But as I walked through my morning, it struck me:

These same tools that help me start the day also mirror what people need in the workplace to stay motivated, grounded, and engaged.

So let’s talk about it.

1. Routine + Responsibility: Casper, Lyfe, and the Psychology of Momentum

Casper and Lyfe — my chaos goblins — jumped on top of me the second the alarm went off. Walking them is a routine I can’t negotiate my way out of. It gives structure, accountability, and purpose before my brain has fully booted up.

This matters for more than pet parents.

In psychology, routine is directly linked to behavioral activation, a therapeutic approach that increases mood and functioning through structured activity. Even small routines tell your brain, You’re capable. You can start.

Employees thrive when they know what to expect

Employees thrive when they know what to expect and what they’re responsible for.

Work by organizational psychologist Teresa Amabile found that “the single biggest driver of motivation is making progress in meaningful work” (Harvard Business Review, The Progress Principle, 2011).

Clear routines and defined responsibilities create early wins — and early wins build momentum.

Just like walking the dogs gets me physically and mentally moving, clarity and structure help teams start strong and stay consistent.

2. Micro-Steps Beat Motivation: The “Next Right Thing” Approach

There’s a moment in Frozen 2 where Anna sings “The Next Right Thing.”That mantra has saved me more times than I can count.

On heavy mornings, I don’t think “Get up and be amazing.”

I think:

turn around

pull off the covers

feet on the floor

open the drawer

One tiny move at a time.

One tiny move at a time

Motivation rarely strikes like lightning. Most days, you move first, motivation shows up second.

Business research backs this up.

BJ Fogg’s Behavior Model and James Clear’s work in Atomic Habits both show that tiny actions create sustainable change. In fact:

Small steps reduce cognitive load
Small wins build confidence
Small decisions lead to big outcomes

Yet many workplaces still operate on “Fix everything by Friday” energy.

Real growth happens one tiny, unsexy, consistent action at a time.

Teams don’t need massive overhauls.

They need the next right thing — the next conversation, the next clarification, the next task completed.

3. Chosen Joy: The Yellow Umbrella Effect

My yellow umbrella is a very intentional choice.

It’s bright, it makes me smile, and it’s a nod to How I Met Your Mother — a symbol of hope even on the rainiest days.

It’s a reminder that sometimes, joy is a choice. Not a feeling.

Sometimes joy is a choice, not a feeling

Positive psychology researcher Barbara Fredrickson found that “micro-moments of positive emotion broaden thinking, increase creativity, and build resilience” (The Broaden-and-Build Theory, 2004).

In other words:

Small sparks of joy have real, measurable impact at work.

Leaders underestimate this.

Joy doesn’t mean pizza parties — it means: