My wife and I collapsed into bed last night at 9pm, completely exhausted from the day. We have both caught some sort of illness. It’s wiped us both out. The first day back at work from vacation is always the toughest. A mountain of work has piled up and you just have to start hammering away at those tasks.

0500 hrs. I went to bed so early that I was up earlier than normal. I poured myself a hot cup of coffee and read 15 pages of the Wealthy Gardener. Topics included: Essentialism (narrowing your focus), discomfort, and a life without alcohol. It was exactly what I needed this morning.

0545 hrs. I set my book down and paused for 30 seconds. I didn’t want to go outside. It was -39C/-38F with the wind, way too cold for my dog Otto to join me. I’m sick. I have a headache. I’m nice and warm under the blankets on the couch.

I used Mel Robbins’ 5 Second Rule to will my way to the front door. I put on my trusty Sorel winter boots and completed my morning cardio around town. It was more like a shuffle. The boots seemed extra heavy this morning but I needed them or else my feet would undoubtedly freeze.

0930 hrs. I completed my second workout of the day, which was a Pull workout at the gym. By 10am I have already drank 2/3 of the water I need for the day. Momentum is building.

1845 hrs. After work, I took some medication and drove 90 minutes to bring my son to his hockey game. I’m operating on cold meds and caffeine at this point. The lesson I learned today is that sometimes you have to just will your way through the day. If I can do the tasks on these days where I feel like crap, I should have no problem completing them on the days where I’m feeling my normal self. We won’t get back home until 11pm, where I will collapse into bed once again. Another day completed. This cold snap is supposed to last for 7-10 days, so I’d better get used to it.

Bring it on. The colder, the better.