Most, if not all, of us are familiar with the phrase “you snooze, you lose.” But what does it really mean? At its core, it’s about missed opportunities. We asked our dear friend Chattie and this is what she had to say: "If you’re not quick to act or pay attention, you’ll miss out on an opportunity. It basically encourages alertness, decisiveness, and taking action before it’s too late."
Let’s be honest - we’ve all been there. Maybe it was hitting the snooze button on your alarm (hands up if you have multiple alarms set 10 minutes apart🙋🏽) not volunteering for that project you wanted to work on, not saying hi to that speaker you admired, or not pitching your business to that potential investor. The list could go on and on.
Journaling Your “Snooze” Moments
Pause here for a moment. Think back on this year and note down three times you snoozed. (If you’re looking for the perfect journal and pens, we’ve got you covered 😉).
Done? Perfect. Let’s continue.
Why We Snooze (And Know We’re Doing It)
The truth is, most of us know when we’re snoozing. We know when we’re making excuses. We know when we choose the extra 20 minutes of sleep. We recognize that sinking feeling when someone else gets the role we wanted but didn’t ask for, or when we watch someone else launch the idea we thought about for months and mutter, “They stole my idea…”.
And the cost? Every time we snooze, we lose. Sometimes it’s a mundane thing like having to catch the next bus, but other times it’s the one chance that could have changed everything - time saved, money earned, doors opened, networks built.
Let’s take another pause here and journal about the opportunities you’ve lost because you snoozed. They could be big or small - jobs, business, friendships, even time with family.
How to Break the Snooze Cycle
So how do we break the snooze cycle? It starts small. Let’s go back to the basics: the morning alarm. Tomorrow, when your alarm rings, get up. No rolling over, no excuses. Just get up.
If you need help, try Mel Robbins’ 5 Second Rule: count down from 5 and take action when you reach 1. Think of it like a rocket ship ready to launch. It doesn’t snooze at 1 - it launches. At that moment, you’ll have conquered your first important task of the day and that small win will set the tone for your entire day.
A 30-Day Challenge: Lock In, Don’t Snooze
This September, let’s challenge ourselves not to snooze - what Gen Z calls “locking in.” For 30 days, be mindful of the moments when you feel like putting things off. Catch yourself. Then make the uncomfortable - yet often rewarding - decision to act.
Because if “you snooze, you lose” is true, then the opposite must also be true: You don’t snooze, you win.
See you on the locked-in side!🤏🏽
Note it Down Team