5-4-3-2-1… Get Up and Lead: The 3:30 A.M. Lesson on Discipline and Leadership

My body still hasn’t adjusted to the time change, so it keeps waking up at 4:30 a.m.—which now means 3:30 a.m. 

While I was laying there all warm, cozy, and snuggled under my blanket, I thought to myself, “This would be a great opportunity to head in on night shift and get some in-servicing and competencies completed.”

But then reality set in—my body wasn’t trying to hear that. It wanted to stay submerged under those blankets.

I started thinking of every excuse to talk myself out of it.

“You won’t have time to work out.”“Fajr doesn’t come in until 5:42 a.m.—what if you get to work, get caught up, and miss your prayer?”

I set my alarm to make sure I could stop and pray while at work, and Alhamdulillah, I was able to do just that.

I finally called my nurses to give them a heads-up that I’d be in at 5:00 a.m., giving them time to prepare.

Then I laid back down and got even cozier under my blanket.

Doesn’t that bed always feel the warmest when you know you’re supposed to get up? 😅

But then my girl Mel Robbins (she doesn’t know she’s my girl yet, lol) popped into my head.

She teaches the 5 Second Rule—when you count backward 5-4-3-2-1… NASA—and you just move.

So that’s what I did. I jumped up, threw on my tights, shirt, and sneakers that were already laid out, and hit the treadmill.

Could I have talked myself out of it? Absolutely. I could’ve said, “It won’t be a full workout, so why bother?” But it’s not about the amount of time—it’s about training your brain through small, consistent habits until they become second nature.

And that same 5-4-3-2-1 mindset? It’s the same one we need in leadership—when it’s time to round, hold someone accountable, or face what’s uncomfortable.

I also wanted to keep my commitment to myself. Because really, why should I get out of bed to rush to work without giving to myself first?

💡 Leadership Starts with Movement

When I arrived, I printed competencies, wrote out in-services, and hit the floors. The staff did well overall.

And here’s what I love about doing observations—they always reveal something new.

Example: One of my nurses tried to enter a room without gowning up. She said nicely, “I usually don’t wear it.”I smiled and said, “Well, I’m state today, boo. And if the sign says PPE, then we must wear it—and it’s also part of your observation.” 😄

Then as I exited, I realized—there was nowhere to dispose of the gown.

Ding ding! Maybe that’s why she wasn’t wearing one.

Next room—no hand sanitizer. Another—no gloves.

I know you’re probably thinking, “Okay girl, what’s your point?”

Here it is 👇🏽Get on your floors. Check your rooms. Observe.

How can we decrease the spread of infection if our staff don’t have what they need to do it right?

Every great leader starts with observation, not assumption. That same 5-4-3-2-1 that gets you out of bed is the same energy that drives real leadership change.

That’s your food for thought today.

Go check those rooms and let me know what you find. 💜

Lead with Love,

YourFavNurseLeader 💜

#ButDidYouFollowThrough