But I find it almost impossible right now to motivate myself to go and sit when I first wake up, (I have been able to do this in the past--particularly after retreats), instead I reach for the ipad and go down that rabbit hole of stimulation. Then I sit much later in the day. Even though I enjoy my sitting when I get there, there is always something pulling me in the opposite direction of the cushion and I give it too much voice--to the point where I very often find myself doing quite useless, trivial things rather than sitting. I eventually get to the cushion, but I'd like to get there quicker.
Why do you need to sit when you first wake up if you're still sitting regularly? You're obsessing about wanting to do something other than what you're doing rather than actually noticing what you're actually doing. Resolutions to make progress or to attain a certain level of realization are generally more powerful than resolutions to meditate at a certain time period of the day. Try making a very strong resolution to attain to "stream entry" or to attain to "4th path" or "full enlightenment" (or whatever the next step for you is) instead. If this is done with great sincerity and jhanic power, the rest will work itself out regardless of when you decide to sit during the day.
Resolutions before you sit down to meditate such as done in MCTB:
"I resolve that for this hour I will consistently investigate
the sensations that make up reality so as to attain to liberating insights for the benefit of myself and all beings.”
are also generally more powerful and will get you further than resolutions to sit at some arbitrary time during the day.
Other resolutions from MCTB:
"I had been advised to use this unique period
in my practice well, and I resolved to attain to full enlightenment for the
benefit of all beings as quickly as was reasonably possible. Despite all
the complex consequences of having done so, I do not regret my
decision in the least and highly recommend that you do the same."
would be far more beneficial.
Making resolutions that your heart isn't fully into such as resolutions to wake up every day in the morning to meditate will weaken your faith in resolutions if you find that you aren't able to do this consistently or at all. On the other hand, it's still a pretty weak form of resolution compared to the above even if you find that your resolution of sitting when you wake up every morning works day after day, month after month, year after year. The above types of resolutions are also more powerful in that they can be checked off when completed whereas your current desired goal must be sustained endlessly.