Vicki Kallman’s Blog

Imagine for a moment that you start your morning with high energy and ready for anything and you did it without stopping at your local Starbucks for that caffeine or sugar hit. Many of you may say it is impossible because you need that coffee to function in the morning. I say you have trained your body to need that caffeine or sugar hit in the morning. You have created a belief system or addiction that says you cannot start your day without it. Every morning when I drive past any of the many Starbucks in Las Vegas - I see long lines of cars in their drive ups- so I know that there are alot you caught up in that belief.

Why pick on Starbucks? Actually I can say it about any coffee shop that is making a profit from your belief that you need some outside stimulus to give you energy and clarity in the morning or through the day. Think for a minute, what if you could get the same energy burst every day without that costly caffeine or sugar hit, how would that change your life for the better?

First off, look at the economical side. It would save you several hundreds dollars a year- face it those over $3 drinks add up quickly. Just think conservatively, you go to get your fix a least 20 mornings a month — 3×20=$60 $60 x 12= $720. Now if you found a free way to get that energy, think about what you could spend that money on. Maybe after saving what you normally would spend on that trip to your local Starbucks for a year- you could take your family on a trip like Disneyland or take your spouse on a romantic getaway. Maybe this could lead you to have more money and feel more joy in your life. Doesn’t everyone want more of those things in your lives? How empowering would that be?

That brings me to the second way driving on by a Starbucks could have positive impact on your life. You would no longer give away your power to a tall coffee. Why depend on an outside source for your start of your day? What would happen tomorrow if all the Starbucks’ doors would close forever and you could not ever have another super double chocolate latte with whip cream? What would you do? Would you jump to another costly morning ritual to replace it or would you decide to empower yourself and try something free that could never closes? Don’t you think it is time to take back your power? When one feels empowered they are opened to have more joy in their lives. Isn’t it time you had more joy in your life?

The third way skipping that morning Starbuck’s ritual could have a positive change in your life, is it would save you time in the morning for more important things. How many of you say I just don’t have enough time in the day? For those of you that go through the drive ups or get in line inside, have you ever figured on how much time it takes for you to get the morning energy drink? Next time you are in line in your car or in person- time how long does it takes from the moment you pull off the road to enter the parking lot or drive up to the moment you pull back on the road. I would guess it is from 10 to 30 minutes, maybe longer. You might say that you gave yourself time to stop and get that venti buzz drink. Have ever thought about a better use of that time? For example, wouldn’t your child enjoy that extra 10 to 30 minutes with you in the morning?- What message are you sending your children when you put your coffee first? How about your spouse? Or maybe you could use that time in the morning to do something just for you that gives you more joy and energy then a trip to Starbuck’s. Free up those precious moments!

The fourth reason that ditching your Starbucks habit or need -it could have a positive change your life. That is in the area of your health. Yes, there is research out there that says having a cup of coffee a day can be good for you. There is also research out there that says obesity and diabetes is on the rise in America. Now I am not saying the Starbuck’s coffee is making Americans fat and sick, however many of you Starbuck junkies make your first food or drink in the morning your super calorie filled latte, frappuccino or sugar-filled iced coffee. Or you grab a muffin or another pastry with your Starbucks drink in the morning. It is only common sense that dumping that much sugar and caffeine into your system on an empty stomach that time in the morning just can not be good for you. I would suspect about an hour after your have had your drink and muffin the buzz will be gone. Then you would probably feel worse or need to have another high calorie caffeine hit of some kind to make it through the day. What a vicious circle! Don’t they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Just ask your doctor. Hey, maybe you could lose a few inches around your waistline if you just drove right on by your local Starbucks in the morning. I believe when one is finally fitting into those special jeans in one’s closet- one is usually feeling healthier and experiencing more joy.

Are you ready to let go of that morning coffee ritual? Are ready to take control over your life and be more joyfully for free? It will only take a few minutes a day. Here are a few suggestions that might support releasing the habit. I dare you to try them and let me know what you think.

Now please pick a few items to do everyday for 30 days and see the change in you. Change your beliefs. Now if that Starbuck closed your world would not end. Remember we never need an outside stimulus to give us energy or give you joy-it is an inside job. Become empowered. Trust yourself! Put yourself back in the driver’s seat and Drive on by!

Have a wonderful day and let me know what you think of my article.
Vicki