Waking Up At 5AM Changed My Life – Win The Morning, Win The Day
Throughout the majority of my life I had been an early riser. Whether that was in my youthful years to watch cartoons or get ready for the endless sports games I was involved with on the weekend as I got older.
That continued into my university years as I’d get up at 6:15AM everyday to head to the gym or to run before classes. Even after late nights out partaking in the standard post-secondary bar adventures I’d be up by 7:00AM, maybe 8:00AM at the absolute latest.
After entering the working world and life as an office dwelling professional had begun, my alarm time continued to be push later and later. My old habits of using the gym or going for a run in the morning were dying off. What used to be a 6:30AM alarm became 6:50AM then 7:15AM before getting all the way up to 7:50AM. That left me approximately 30 minutes to shower, change and eat before heading out the door for my walk to work.
Slowly I started to notice some negative drawbacks on my energy levels, mood, productivity at work, relationships, monthly budget and general wellness. I was slipping into a pattern and would trudge through my mornings at work like a zombie.
Making A Change To Win The Morning
I started to notice some consistencies in the podcasts, books and other content I was consuming. The majority of the productive, unique and successful people featured in this content were waking up much earlier than the general public and tended to have a set routine for their mornings.
From the guests on the Tim Ferriss Show to books profiling millionaires and business executives or documentaries on successful athletes or wellness leaders, that pattern seemed to hold true.
Get up early, develop a routine and focus on productivity.
They all spoke about the benefits this had on their mindset, money, productivity and success. The Huffington Post shared an article highlighting when successful people wake up. As Tim Ferriss said in his uber popular 4-Hour Work Week book and other interviews, “win the morning, win the day”.
Enough was enough. It was time to experiment.
A New Routine To Wake Up At 5AM
In April 2016 I decided to make that drastic change for myself and now set my alarm for 5:00AM.
Wow, the first couple of weeks were tough. Leaving the comforts of my bed felt like I was being pried from a warm, pillowed heaven and thrust into a dark foggy haze. Shuffling my feet across the floor to get changed and stumble through a run or workout.
However, in time that initial tiredness was lifted and I started to feel great, really great.
Slowly and surely the benefits started to compound.
My health, mind, finances, mood, career and relationships were seeing positive impacts. It’s been two years now and I’ve settled into a nice routine that has been truly benefiting me across these different areas of my life.
Waking up at 5AM has changed my life.
Preparation, Prioritization & Routine
Every night I do a few basic things to set myself up for success and productivity for the morning ahead. This has been one of the most influential changes.
These night before tasks to prepare for a productive morning generally include:
- Wash all dishes to ensure an empty sink and countertop
- Package up my lunch for work so it’s ready to grab on my way out
- Place the items I need to make coffee beside the coffee machine
- Prepare my pre-workout snack or drink
- Arrange my breakfast items towards to the front of the fridge and/or cupboard
- Hang and layout the clothing I need for the gym (or a run) and work
- Spend 5 minutes reflecting on the day that was and what I accomplished, failed on, enjoyed, disliked and am grateful for
- Followed by 5 to 10 minutes listing out key priorities for tomorrow in both my personal and professional life
- This includes priorities for the 5AM – 8AM window pre-work, my day at work and then post-work time
- I then plug all these tasks into Todoist – the amazing app and web platform for organizing, planning, setting reminders and so forth
Everything outlined above helps ensure that when I wake up I can be as productive as possible and maximize the limited time I have. I don’t need to worry about planning or prioritizing, my mind can remove that burn and spend the energy elsewhere.
I wrote in more detail about my nightly routine in this post covering how a productive day starts the night before.
I’m certain I could improve this system to drive even further benefits. So I am continuing to look for additional tips, resources, best practices and examples.
Limited Distractions
The morning is now “me time”. There are no distractions coming in. No text messages, emails, phone calls or conversations to inundate my mind with the needs or requirements of others.
As I run the streets or lookout the window from my computer, it’s a good feeling to see almost no life or action. No cars buzzing around. No apartment lights. I feel like I am a step ahead of most people and for a short period of time each day, the only priorities are my own.
The majority of the rest of my day is spent with incoming emails, phone alerts and so forth. My personal and professional priorities can shift depending on the context of these emails, text message, phone calls or conversations.
Mornings have become my haven for me time.
My Todoist list for the morning is generally broken into three sections and the priorities under each are determined the night before:
- Health & Fitness
- Side Hustling
- Work Prep
These are where my focus steers every morning.
Health & Fitness
The first part of the morning routine now consists of throwing on the workout gear, eating my pre-workout snack and stretching for 5 minutes. Then the final piece right before stepping out the door is flipping on the coffee machine.
Depending on the day and time of year, the next 30-45 minutes will feature a workout in the gym or a run.
Living in Toronto can provide some weather issues from November to April in terms of being able to run outside but that just adds to the challenge. My preparation the night before will include drafting a quick fitness plan for the coming morning. That supports in giving me a sense of direction and clear mind to concentrate elsewhere than planning a workout at 5AM.
Following the workout, there’s a quick shower and then time to eat breakfast.
By the time it is 6:00AM, I now have reaped the positive rewards of working out and eating a decent breakfast with my whole day ahead of me. My energy levels, focus and mood have improved 10x since implementing this consistently into my morning routine.
Bodybuilding wrote about 8 benefits to working out in the morning including focus and mood plus the many of the other specific health benefits.
Side Hustling
Next up is the computer desk with my coffee and spending the next 70 to 100 minutes focusing on something outside my career work.
Since I started waking up at 5AM, I’ve spent this time in the morning doing freelance marketing, content management, database management and writing work. I used to use Upwork (you could try Fiverr too) but have since built direct relationships to source 10-15 hours of freelance work each week that I complete in the mornings, evenings and weekends. This freelance work has also helped me expedite my debt repayment, saving and investing.
The side hustle work I’ve done in the mornings alone (not including evening or weekends) over the last 3 years has earned approx. $24,500.
Waking up at 5AM changed my life and a big part of that is the financial rewards this extra time has provided me. If you’re looking for side hustle ideas, check out 35+ side hustle ideas to earn more money. Plus you can consider ways to make money from your phone and how to make money online from home.
As of early 2018, this morning routine now includes working on Making Momentum. Whether it’s writing a blog post, doing some research, scheduling my social media, accruing content for the Weekly Roundup Momentum’s Finest or ideating on future opportunities.
Focusing on being productive on work outside my 9 to 5 career has been a godsend. Its allowed me to use other parts of my mind.
- Creativity
- Problem Solving
- Digital Marketing
- Monetization Strategies
- Creative Writing
- Quantitative & Qualitative Research
These are just a few of the skills I am developing from the side hustles and blog. Waking up at 5AM to work on other projects has sparked my mind and boosted my bank account.
Work Planning
As I get changed and ready for work, I revisit the list I made of priorities the night before on Todoist for work. This allows me to shift my focus from health and fitness and side hustling to my career.
- What are my top 3 priorities today?
- Do I have any key meetings?
- Are there any small ‘to do’ list items that I can’t forget about?
Previously, in my 7:50AM wake up and rush to work days, I would spend almost no timing considering the priorities at the office for the day ahead. I would show up in a daze since I’d barely been awake for less than an hour and stumble through my morning with no real purpose or sense of direction.
Waking up at 5AM has allowed me the time to arrive at the office with energy, focus and a sense of what to accomplish in the day ahead.
Since implementing these changes in my life over the past two years, my salary has increased 34%. That is in part due to seniority and gains in experience to secure promotions but also a focused mindset and increase in performance.
The health and mindset benefits I’ve gotten from waking up at 5AM have compounded into supporting my career growth.
Walking To Work
There are only a few steps remaining in my pre-work morning routine.
One step is grabbing my lunch I had already set aside the night before (which was also likely bulk meal cooked on Sunday). Toss it in the bag and I am set for my daily nutrition needs, I don’t need to worry about that at work or touch my wallet.
Another step is downloading a podcast or two for the walk. If you know me, you know I love podcasts.
The amount of free knowledge I’ve enjoyed from podcasts is astounding. It’s like sitting in on the private conversations of some of the most respected leaders, thinkers and successful people in their respective industries. If you’re looking for some podcast ideas, see 75+ podcasts to help improve your life and the 40+ best personal finance, investing and side hustle podcasts.
Then it’s out the door and only the walk to work remains.
Waking up at 5AM has allowed me to enjoy and reap the benefits of walking to work. I don’t feel rushed and the other items I’ve accomplished earlier have me feeling good on the walk. I can intake the information from the podcasts I am listening to and let my mind wander about the day ahead or grander things.
Other Benefits Of Waking Up At 5AM
Outside of what I mentioned above, I’ve been able to reap other benefits of waking up at 5AM.
This change in lifestyle has helped in these ways as well.
- Financial: Preparing my breakfast, coffee and lunches at home, instead of buying on the way or once at work, has saved me thousands of dollars.
- Purpose: Waking up at 5AM has helped give me purpose in the morning and sense of direction to work towards something bigger.
- Time Gained: waking up at 5AM as opposed to 7AM for 30 years worth of weekdays creates 15,600 hours. That’s 15,600 hours to do something productive, healthy or just live my life. 15,600 hours is 650 days or almost 2 full years of extra living.
- Discipline: sticking to this 5AM routine and seeing the positive results has shown and taught me the principle of discipline. Investing in something will deliver the outcome intended when you’re dedicated and consistent.
Conclusion: Waking Up At 5AM…The Great Decision (For Me) To Wake Up At 5AM
I can wholeheartedly say that waking up at 5AM has changed my life.
Personally and professionally I’ve seen great results from consistently practicing this routine. From the health and wellness benefits to the positive impact on my wallet, this system works for me. It took time to beat that early morning haze but after waking up at 5AM was ingrained in me, those benefits started to compound.
Will this change in the future when I have kids? Potentially but I would hope to still continue this routine in some fashion. In the meantime I am going to keep reaping the rewards.
Want to read a great book on the benefits of waking up early? Check out The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM) by Hal Elrod.
Do you wake up early to accomplish elements of your life? Let me know in the comments below.
What do you spend your mornings doing or do you have any productivity hacks? I’d love to hear them.
Here are some other posts to help you take control of your money and life:
- The Best Personal Finance Podcasts – 40+ Money, Investing & Side Hustle Podcasts
- 55 Great Online Udemy Courses For Millennials, Entrepreneurs And Side Hustlers
- How To Make $500 Fast: 17+ Quick, Real & Easy Ways To Make Money When You Need Cash Fast
- 40+ Money Saving Hacks: How To Save Money Each Month In Your Everyday Life
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See, I like getting up early, but I need my 8 hours of sleep. I disagree that getting up early gets you more time, however if you are more productive in the morning you can nab those hours for your higher priority stuff!
Thanks for checking out the post! For sure, it’s definitely whatever is suitable and feasible to your own lifestyle, needs and timing. I wrote this through the guise of personal experience and what’s worked for me. I’ve always been a morning person (outside that 1 lazy stretch) so I am lucky in that sense that I’ve always been able to function with 6.5 – 7.5 hours of sleep. The 6AM hockey practices and newspaper routes as a kid probably helped build that habit too.
But I know a bunch of people who just don’t function in the early hours.
If I was more of a night owl, I would probably write a similar post about the 11PM – 2AM window of time.
Thanks again!
Scott
What a helpful, inspiring post! You have definitely motivated me to start getting up earlier. I will probably start pushing my wake up time earlier little by little each week. I’d love to be half as productive as you in the morning! Detailing how much waking up early has changed your life is a great example for the rest of us. Thanks for writing such a great post!
Thanks so much for the kind words Rebecca! Really appreciate that.
I am lucky that I’ve always been a morning person or at least un-phased for the most part by early rising so that’s made it much easier for me to remain productive. At the end of the day after work I find it hard for me to be fully energized for exercise or to do productive writing/freelance work, but that’s just my personal experience.
I will be keeping tabs on your blog to see if you make mention of any changes to your own schedule!
-Scott
I’ve tried that and failed miserably. Is there any benefits to waking up at 9? 🙂
This is one of the better 5am articles I have read and how you have made it work for yourself is inspiring. Wonderful post and I am most impressed with the freelance revenue you were able to generate as that is how I strive to make my income being “financially independant” and without a job anymore. Looks like I might have to learn what hustles worked well for you.
Thanks Chris! Kind words from someone with a blog as dynamite as yours.
The morning side hustle work has included: database management, data entry, digital & content marketing, social media management, writing, small business support, dog walking (halting that)…I think that covers all of it! The database work was a pretty sweet gig that I scored through a connection and fits really well with my 5AM routine: freelance contract with no set hours, just a predetermined amount of data to manage for “XXXX” amount of pay. I had a system down to fly through it at 1.5-2x the normal speed and was churning projects. Unfortunately that’s off the books until the Fall!
I too hope to escape having a “job”. A long way to go but just looking to make small wins every day or week to make that more of a reality.
Cheers,
-Scott
I’m an early riser too and often get out of bed at 630 without an alarm. However, some days I wake up earlier and it’s crazy how much time you get in your day when you get up early.
What time do you go to bed if I may ask?
Agreed! It really has opened so many opportunities. I am lucky to be a morning person but I am sure there are night owls who can attest to using the 11PM – 2AM window of time to conquer their own productivity needs too.
It varies but generally in the 10:30PM – 11:45PM range is when I crash out. I don’t know if I am going to pay for it further down the line as I age but I don’t seem to need much sleep, and haven’t all of my life. I am certain that isn’t healthy or normal…but my energy levels and overall wellness doesn’t seem to differ (at least in my non-medical opinion) whether I get 5 hours or 7 hours of sleep.
Been that way since I was a kid, I am sure a Doctor could give me a dozen reasons as to why I need more sleep and if it ever starts to drag me down, I will have to adjust.
Thanks for checking out the post!
-Scott
It’s quite inspiring to read about the benefits of waking up at 5AM. While not as early, I too like to wake up earlier than most people and spend the morning walking, stretching, reading and preparing for the rest of the day.
How do you stay disciplined when life happens and you have to stay up late the previous night? Do you make any exceptions and turn off your alarm? Or will you stick with it day in and day out?
I really enjoy the stretching as soon as I roll out of bed as well, it’s generally the first step of my routine.
Every weekday for the past 2+ years has been a 5AM alarm. However, on the few times a year when I’m sick and clearly under the weather, I won’t push it and pass on the 5AM roll call. Then if I’m on vacation, I go alarm free and generally am up by 6-630AM naturally (depending on the time zone). Nothing beats walking or running the beach as the sun rises and there’s little to no noise outside of the waves slapping the shore.
On the weekends, I still do the 5AM alarm but will be more lenient should I have been out much later the night before. On Saturday morning I’ve usually worked out, eaten breakfast, done an hour or two of some sort of work and done my bulk grocery shop for the week ahead by the times it’s 9AM. Got the whole day in front of me!
Again, if I start to slow down or am not reaping the same benefits, I’ll adjust but for now I’m keeping that alarm!
-Scott
Have you read the Miracle Morning? There’s a lot a good info about morning routines. There’s a lot of good info in this article as well.
I’m not at all a morning person, so getting motivated to do anything before work is tough. However, what I have started doing is getting to work earlier so I can leave earlier. I’m usually there around 7:15 and leave around 4:15. In addition to getting out of work earlier, I also save about 30 minutes on my morning commute.
The one ritual thing I do in the morning is meditate for 15 minutes as soon as I get in the office, which is a great way to clear my head before starting the day.
You’re the second person I’ve had mention that book in the last couple of days, I might have to check this out!
Yes, I have a member of my team who does the same thing. Gets in at 7:15-7:30AM everyday as has an 60-90 minutes to smash through work at peak productivity before most of the office starts to filter in. She’s packed up and out the door by 4:30PM at the latest. Like you mentioned, beats most of the bad traffic on the way in and out as well.
I need to get back into meditating. I try to do some self reflection at night and then journal some key priorities or focuses for the next day but perhaps a concentrated meditation could be benificial. A lot of those peak producers I’ve read about or have listened to, mention that as a tactic for success.
I’m lucky the 5am alarm doesn’t faze me too much but the biggest thing is just finding a routine that works for you. Like you’ve done with getting to work earlier or like some of my friends do with working late hours into the early morning.
It’s now 11:25PM and I need to get to sleep!
Cheers,
Scott
Scotty mah man! This article was so dope and so inspirational I literally wanted to set my alarm for 5am TOMORROW lol. Thank you for such an inspirational and nicely written piece.
And I wanted to read through the comments to make sure I wasn’t asking the same question as others. So you do average about 6.5 hours of sleep a night. Okay! One of the reasons I was on the fence of doing this experiment is that Jeff Bezos sleeps 8 hours a night and is the richest man in the world. Who are we to do any different? Lol.
If I were to wake up at 5am, that would require sleeping at 9pm approx. for an 8 hour sleep. Do-able but I feel like for us young millennials, 11pm-midnight is the more realistic time frame lol.
So it’s all these things to keep in mind and I’ll def try to keep you updated on how the experiment goes.
Forget about paying for it when you’re older. You’re living life to the utmost productive positivity that you can now and that’s all that matters ? like Zen Buddhism. There is no yesterday and there is no tomorrow. There is only today.
Thanks Jack! Appreciate the kind words and really enjoy your blog as well. Very well written and thoughful posts.
Right now I’m not feeling worn out or fazed by the 5.5 – 7.0 hours of sleep I’m getting. But I’ve been this way my whole life. I don’t know if it’s going to catch up to me eventually or somehow it’s just the way my anatomy works?! The most consistent recommendation I’ve seen across the internet is definitely a minimum of 7 hours of sleep. Which I generally fall short of.
There are probably a dozen habits I should take from Bezos! Haha. Or any of those other .001% premium success stories. To be a fly on the wall and see their lifestyle for a week…oh boy.
Definitely keep me updated on any changes you make or slight adjustments that fit your routine. Always love hearing what’s working for others!
It’s only been 2 years for me and if it stops being as beneficial, I’ll look to make some changes to my own system. But for now it’s working, I feel good and…need to get to sleep!
-Scott
Wow!
What an inspiring article. Great stuff you shared and you just earned yourself a new follower in me.
I conqour with you 100%. I have seen positive impact of waking up early. For me, in summer I’m usually up at 4AM and around 5AM in summer. I run 3x per week and this channels my mind for a greater and productive day ahead.
I have practiced this since Dec 2016 and I managed to achieve great success in my personal and professional space. I have improved my productivity and efficiency at work, I’m a lot calmer at home but above all I have seen great benefits in my health and finances. For example, the same discipline I use on the road while running to pace myself, I have applied in my finances. As a result, I am free if consumer debts.
I have learnt a great deal about myself since I started my morning routine. I’m a better version of myself.
Your article has triggered me to be more productive now, in that I will now plan my morning the night before. I will be proactive and prepare well, to optimize my time properly.
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m really grateful.
Keep well.
Regards.
Thanks for checking it out and the gracious words! Nice to see a fellow morning riser…and 4AM?! I might need to push my alarm a little earlier now.
We definitely have the same mindset in terms of the benefits and how they spill over into endless opportunities for your health, mind and money. Great to hear it’s working so well for you!
I find that prep the night before allows me to get right into my routine when I wake up. No planning, searching or thought needed about what I need to accomplish or want to do. My clothes, food and list of priorities is ripe and ready for me to get started on right away.
Looking forward to staying connected and hearing how things are going with your own morning routine!
-Scott
I tend to think of myself as not a morning person. It is amazing, however, how great I feel on those rare instances when I wake up, can’t fall back asleep, and get out of bed at 5am. Reading this has definitely been an inspiration! I always say, “I can’t get up that early”, but maybe this is a challenge I need to take on!
It definitely opens up a lot of opportunity to accomplish “more”, with “more” being whatever that is you want to do (…if you’re able to function in the morning)!
Happy to know this provided some inspiration! Keep me posted if you start to adjust your schedule.
-Scott
Up at 5am this morning! Well, 5:15 actually, was waiting for Mrs Benjamins to get out of the bathroom. Went for a stroll, did some writing, enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. Great way to start the day!
That’s awesome to hear! Let me know how you’re feeling later in the day…and if you stay at it.
If it helps and seems to be beneficial, keep me in the loop!
Cheers!
Scott
Very cool Scott. I am a morning person too, although more of the 7AM type. Part of that is because I’m often up past midnight for work. Once I have better control of my work schedule, I’ll have to try a 5AM or 6AM start. I like the pre-planning you do each night, that makes complete sense.
Cheers.
Thanks for checking it out! That little bit of extra time I use every night to get organized and prepped was a big help for me. It removed any excuses for being slow or delayed…everything I needed was ready to go for the morning ahead.
Still trying to improve my system and find the right balance but right now it seems to be working!
Scott
As a fellow early riser, I really enjoyed reading this! I used to wake up at 5am and run/workout but have since moved that to 5:30am since I moved my company’s office 30 minutes closer to my house. Ever since I started waking up earlier, my level of productivity and my overall mood have drastically improved. Plus the ability to get things done before the kids are up is amazing!
Agreed! If waking up earlier fits with your lifestyle and remains beneficial, it’s a powerful tool for productivity and so much more. Clearly it’s a big win for you too.
How long have you been an early riser?
-Scott
I tend to stay up too late (rarely past midnight) so I’m not always able to get up early. I do find that the earlier I get up the better my day is. Ideally I’d like to get to work at 8:00am, meaning I’d get up around 6:30 – 7:00, but I normally end up getting to work closer to 9am.
As long as your system is working for you, then it’s golden! I’ve been staying up a little too late recently and need to dial it back otherwise any of the benefits I’m seeing might slowly start to fade if I am under-sleeping too much.
Thanks for checking out the post!
-Scott
Awesome post. Getting up earlier and establishing a morning routine is a goal of mine for sure.
Start slow and build up a habit that works for you! It’s all about personal preference and a system that makes you most productive. I’ve found that building the routine and the little things I do the night before really helped me. Set me up for success when I woke up and just removed those small tasks that might slow you down.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.
All the best,
-Scott
Nice blog and a new sub for you. Funnily enough I woke up at 515 am today (naturally), usually its about 7am! I agree with many of the points mentioned here. I wake up, drink water, eat bananas and focus on my most important task first.
I will look at implementing some of your evening rituals to potentially improve the following day.
Thanks for checking out the blog! I read another article recently where they recommended drinking 24oz of water as soon as you wake up. So maybe I’ll test that out.
Let me know if you change anything in your own routine and what’s working.
-Scott
Very inspirational post. The 2 years of extra living statement really hit me. Yesterday I got up at 5:30 am. By the time it was 8 am, I had written 600 words, done my workout, taken a shower, and had breakfast. I was feeling super productive during the day. Contrary to today, I got up at 9 am!!!!! and the whole day I felt groggy and slow. I am definitely going to start a 5:00 am routine. Thank you so much for all the tips.
Thanks Jessica! This is great, I love getting comments like this and so glad to hear you crushed your morning. If you can build a system and routine that works for you, it can open up a world of possibilities for productivity. I am heading over to your blog now to check out some of your posts…great headlines and lots of content that seems right up my ally.
-Scott
This article is power-packed. It has really changed and help me revision my life in a more positive way. Good and balanced motivation.
Thanks for checking out the post! Glad you enjoyed it.
Scott
I hate, HATE getting up early and always have! This morning I woke up with my usual groggy feeling and reached out for my iPad to browse on Pinterest in the hope that it would put me back to sleep for a few hours (I’ve suffered with sleep issues for years). I read you post and feel inspired! I’ve tried many things to conquer my insomnia, but it never crossed my mind to get up early! I’m going to dive straight in! I will spend today planning and have already set my alarm for 5 a.m. daily. This will be hard for me, but I’m going to keep your brilliant plan in my head and start maximizing not only my mornings but my whole day, everyday! Thank you! I’ve dreamed of starting my own blog and of writing a book. Just maybe this could give me the time and energy to actually do something about it!!
Wow, thanks so much for the great comment! So glad you found the post motivating and think it could help you out. I had sleep trouble in the past, more from an uneasy/busy mind, and three things really helped me: physical activity, a no phone/TV policy for a minimum of 30 minutes before bed and relaxing to think about the day (call it mediation or self-reflection). Mind you that wasn’t any clinical sleep issues or insomnia and I’m no doctor but that’s what seemed to help me out 5-6 years ago when I was having trouble sleeping.
In terms of mornings and productivity, if it fits your lifestyle and you get adjusted (plus make sure to get enough rest), the sky is the limit! Set yourself up for even more success by getting as much of those administrative/household tasks done the night before so that when you’re waking up you can jump right into whatever it is you want to accomplish.
Starting a blog has tons of benefits – creativity, networking, potential business, etc.! If you want to check out some great resources look up Do You Even Blog (both a podcast and blog) – here’s a great article by Pete on starting a blog (https://doyouevenblog.com/start-a-blog/). ProBlogger is another awesome podcast and website on blogging with a free 7-day course (https://problogger.com/start-a-blog/). Plus Michelle at Making Sense of Cents has a free email course on starting a blog and post here (https://www.makingsenseofcents.com/2014/08/how-to-start-a-wordpress-blog-on-bluehost.html). All of those have TONS of resources, tips, tricks and information to help you get started.
Thanks again for checking out the post and for the great feedback! Let me know how the mornings are going and if you do start a blog or begin penning a book.
Scott
Thank you for writing this, this has been so helpful. I’ve been trying & failing miserably at starting my day early and for some reason after reading this, it feels more attainable. Thank you for outlining real concrete steps and benefits. I’m going to start working on it! I’m curious, what time do you go to bed? I think that’s probably part of my issue, not having a consistent bed time.
Thanks for checking out the post and thanks for the kind words! Glad this might help you out and if it fits your lifestyle, you can definitely get some big wins out of the earlier start to the day!
I was getting in a bad habit of staying up a bit later than I should’ve but have gone back to trying to start reading at 10PM and then ideally being asleep by 10:30 or 10:45 at the latest. It’s really helped me make sure I’m still getting some quality sleep. Not tonight though as I’m just getting back from the movies!
After I got into the habit of waking up early, it’s definitely gotten much easier and is just routine now. The little steps of getting things ready the night before have helped a lot with making sure I can get started right away, avoiding the small stuff when I’m just getting up.
I hope this helped and if you do try it out and it’s working, please let me know!
Thanks again,
Scott
Love this! And I like how detailed you were in outlining the benefits you reaped from your earlier wake-up call. I wake up around 5:30am. I say “around” because the alarm goes off at 5 but I lie in bed for another 5 minutes before hauling myself up. Lol! Unlike you, I have to wake up early because I have to get my son up and his breakfast ready by 6am.
However, I do not feel productive at all but walk around in a daze. I think I may need to shift my exercise slow to the morning instead of my usual 4pm slot. That may help to wake me up. Hopefully, it does not make me more tired!
And I need to re-think my morning rituals to get my engine running faster, for sure. Thanks for this article (btw I found you when Pinterest showed me their roundup!). It is helping me to motivate running mt mornings more productively.
Thanks Serene! Appreciate you checking out the post. Glad Pinterest was able to share my Pin with you!
I know the feeling…some mornings it’s harder than others to get out but generally as soon as I get up and on my feet, that starts to fade and I get on with my routine. The habit of doing it for a while now helps me be on auto-pilot if I need to haha. The morning exercise definitely helped me spark that immediate energy and boost in my mood.
Let me know how your own routine and mornings go, always love to hear how others are doing.
Thanks again and have a great weekend!
Scott
So when do you go to bed then?
When I first started this new routine, I was staying up too late and definitely not going enough sleep (generally falling asleep around 11 or later). Over the last 6 months I’m trying to get in earlier and earlier. I try to shut off all my electronics and screens and read for 15-30 minutes before hopefully crashing out between 10-10:30.
I’m lucky to be a morning person but I know I have to get more sleep to avoid burn out…constantly trying but it’s hard sometimes!
Thanks for checking out the post.
Scott
Love this post! I have to say that “gaining extra time” is misleading, since if you get up at 5 instead of 7 you’re also going to bed at 10pm instead of midnight, etc.
If you sleep 8 hours, you sleep 8 hours, so 5 – 7 isn’t time gained unless 10pm – midnight is time lost. 😉
In that 1 bullet point at the end I was talking about my specific situation and the amount of productive hours I had available if all things remained the same. If I get up at 5AM and apply myself, as opposed to all things remaining the same and doing nothing, I’ve gained 2 productive hours each day.
Unfortunately I haven’t found a way to invent more time yet on the 24 hour clock but if I can spin the earth backwards like Superman did, I might be able to one day! ?
Thanks for checking out the post.
Do you also practice this routine on weekends?
What about weekends Scott? Do you treat yourself to a later morning on a Saturday and Sunday?
Very inspiring post, I’m definitely going to try this out.
Hey Jake, thanks for checking out the post and comment!
I still keep it consistent on the weekends, unless I have a social event out the night before or am away on vacation. I lived out most of my late nights in my late teens and early 20’s haha so those days are mostly behind me.
Keeping the habit helps me make the most of the quieter weekend morning hours. Thankfully it’s become second nature to me.
Let me know how it goes! It can be a hard grind at the start.
Scott
Hi Scott, I have a question for you.
I started waking up at 05am in the beginning of 2018, but was not able to make a consistent habit of it. there are weeks I do it, then another week I dont.. Reason is the social evening events. Me and my husband sometimes have to meet clients or go on social events for work, and even though I do not drink alchocol, sometimes I stay up until 00h00 because e.g. its not polite to leave too early or sometimes the partners or clients invite us somewhere alrady so late (around 22h00), that i cannot leave at 23h00…
so when this happens i fall off the wagon and wake up at 06h30 or 07h00 instead. And its harder to pick up the routine again. What did you do in these situations?
Hi Liza, it’s definitely tough in spots like that and you need to do what fits best for you. I’ve traditionally still pushed up and out of bed at my alarm time to keep the habit even if I’ve gone to bed a little later than usual. I know it’s likely not ideal health wise but it doesn’t happen too frequently in my life as I’m an early bird and home body for the most part. When I’m on vacation I’m much more flexible and will let the alarm clock stay off.
It really comes down to what fits best for you, is going to keep you healthy, happy and productive…and building a habit or routine that will keep you engaged and motivated!
Thanks for checking out the post!
Scott
Hi Jake, this was my first time here and I loved it. I subscribed before I finish reading the article. Keep up with articles like these and I’ll follow you for life.
Hi..I dont really leave comments on Pinterest but I read this the night before (9/9/18) and tried implementing this today (9/10/18) although it was at 530am but still, huge improvements from waking up at 8am or 10am since becoming a stay at home mom for the last 5mos..Before that, I used to wake up at 5am to get ready to go to work. Starting today, I’ll try to implement this. I’ve heard and read about this “waking up early and be more productive” hype but wasn’t really interested since I’m a morning person anyway but that wasn’t intentional and mindful..This time, I’ll try to be intentional and mindful, thanks to you..Great post!
Thanks for the comment and checking out the post! Hopefully the first couple weeks of shifting your schedule and trying to “win the morning and win the day”.How has it gone so far? Any big changes? It’s tough to get it started but once you can build out a routine that works for you, sky is the limit.
The same as you, I have always been a morning person. But over the last few years, I have gradually woken up later and later and I have been consistently waking about around 8am for some time now which I know by a lot of people’s standards is not late. However, last week I decided I wanted to see if I could wake up earlier and get more done in the day and so far it’s been working. I have been waking up at 6am, not 5am but I’m interested to see if I was to wake up even an hour earlier I could improve more so I’m going to give it a try.
That’s great to hear Heather! Always appreciate getting feedback and learning about others stories and successes. How has it been going? What are you focusing on working on in the morning?
All the best!
-Scott
I love waking up early (although I dislike leaving the bed lol)! There are so many benefits. Since my toddler son wakes up at 7am, I have to wake up around 3 or 4 to have time to myself.
I have a full time job, so this is time I use to work on my website, read a book, study something new, pray, or work out. I love developing myself.
However, I can’t waste any time if I’m serious about personal development. So waking up at 4 is really an investment I’m willing to sacrifice for my future. I have one life to live and I’m gonna win it!
Thanks so much for checking out the post and the comment. So motivating to hear others using their time and energy as best they can to keep moving forward. Your reply has motivated me! Tomorrow morning I’m getting up with an extra little jump in my step.
THANKS!
Scott
So you don’t have kids then? I’m up & running 4 different directions with 3 kids… single parenting because husband works away. I go to bed at 10 but feel I need my sleep for my sanity & everyone else’s
Right now, no kids. So I’m definitely in a position to take advantage of the freedom as best possible. However, that will change in the near future and I imagine that will drastically shift every routine I currently have!
This is truly a must-read blog. Wonderful 🙂
Appreciate the kind words and checking out the post! Thank you! Hope it was helpful for some.
I’ve tried the getting up at 5.30am to workout and crush the day, but find that by 2pm I need a nap! How do you combat this?
Its definitely the hardest part as you get used to the routine and it becomes part of your daily life.
The three things I’d say are:
1.) Getting enough sleep (something I find fault in myself sometimes)
2.) Regular exercise and fitness
3.) Eating a healthy lunch with a balance of nutrients (plus a proper breakfast to keep your energy up throughout the morning)
Those have helped me try to maintain a high energy level throughout.
Hope that helps!
Scott
My Father use to call this “catching the Golden Fish” it only swims by at 5am and in that Golden Hour You Gain a Lifetime of ….what ever you set your heart on.
Great saying! I’d never heard that before.
Catching the golden fish, love it.
Thanks for checking out the post Amanda!
I have been waking up at 4:50 a.m. to be at the gym for 5 a.m since January 1, 2016. Was this a New Year’s resolution? Sure you could call it that. I think of it as being resolute. I made up my mind..that when I am eighty I want to be able to stand up and get out of a chair.
I started the early morning work outs because I wanted the gym mostly to myself. An immediate benefit i planned was to be home again to use my own shower and drink pots of coffee. One thing I noticed right away, It tricks my mind and I feel like i am just getting up like my best old habits. Now a benefit that is also a source of motivation is the amazing energy I have to start the day. I feel invincible! My mind is clear and I have boundless energy. Not bad for a 56 year old woman. I am also a mother of four, the kids are all in college now, but I remember the days of always feeling behind schedule. It is hard to describe how vibrant I feel with out sounding cliche.
Yes, there are times I don’t go to the gym for days, even weeks. I fall into the old mind set of milking the clock for time under the covers. I hate the way I feel all day, when I fall into the mindset of being mad that I have to get out of bed.
I get it. 4:50 a.m. is early and winter is long, dark, and cold. I tell myself not to think about the bed or how awful it is to move. I just move on auto pilot getting on gym clothes and getting into the car. By the time I’m halfway through my workout I am glad I got out of bed. When I leave the gym I never, ever wish I hadn’t been there. You can bank on that good feeling.
I give myself permission to miss days or even to have lazy work outs because I am in this for the life long benefits. I am seeing the rewards now! I am building muscle and endurance. I can hike mountains with my kids and not gasp for breath too badly.
Wow! Now that’s inspiring, I don’t even know where to start or what to say…but just bravo and great work! You’ve got me motivated to get out a little earlier tomorrow AM and put in a bit more work with some pep in my step. So true on just getting started and committing to your workout, after it gets going and you’ve started to get those endorphins moving…couldn’t agree more on being glad to be there and happy I forced myself out of bed.
I hope at 56 I can keep this going and have a similar mindset to you.
Keep up the great work!
Hi, Scott,
This may be one of the few blog post that I have read in its entirety and it’s because you have definitely inspired me. I am not a morning person at all and I hate I mean hate waking up early but the way you explain how productive and intentional you are about your days by just doing this habit definitely makes me want to change the way i start my mornings. I want to be able to start this practice as of now going into the new year of 2019 because I need this to be my lifestyle going forward. Keep it up and will definitely be reading more and subscribing.
Thanks so much for the kind words Kristen! You made my day with that reply. I hope there was some value and inspiration packaged in the post. Whether it’s 5AM or 6AM, the key is to find a system that works for you and helps you achieve your goals and keep moving forward. It took me a while to really get into the grove but after it became second nature…the momentum really picked up. Please keep me posted on how things are going!
Thanks again,
Scott
Love this! 🙂 I’ve been getting up early for the last few months and it really has been life changing. I love how you broke down all the things you do to prepare the night before. I’ll definitely implement some of these as well. Great post
Thanks for checking out the post and for the kind words! Always a pleasure to hear from another early riser. What do you look to accomplish in your mornings – fitness? work? other?
-Scott
You young tadpoles will find this hard to believe but establishing and sticking to a morning routine is as important after retirement as before. When you have all day to do nothing, frequently that’s exactly what you accomplish. Without external deadlines driving your day, you have to create your own. Failing that, you suddenly find yourself still in your PJs at 3 p.m. staring at the TV and wondering where all those dust bunnies and that beer belly came from.
what time do you go to bed/sleep?
The target I’m working towards now is 10PM to continue to get enough rest.
Loved this post. Every single word of it!
Thanks for writing this and all the inspiration. I’m starting tomorrow. Hoping to turn this one into a habit.
My pleasure! Really appreciate the comment and that the post has resonated with you. Let me know how it’s going and if you were able to get the habit started…the first few weeks can be tough but then it just becomes part of your routine.
-Scott
Hi, Thanks for your top-notch article. I want to add something with you. I think starting your day early improves your concentration. In addition to being able to focus on goals and task lists without being interrupted by family members or coworkers, getting up early means that by the time you get to work or school, you’ve had hours to properly acclimate yourself to the day. You’ll be more alert during peak hours as a result. Am I right?
Funny I found this article on a morning I was struggling to peel myself out of bed at 5am to workout. It used to be my norm to get up at 5 and do all the thing productive people do. That was all when I was a stay-at-home-mom for six years. For the past year and a half I have worked outside the home and it’s brought my morning productivity to a halt. This article reminded me of all the important things I used to do first thing I’m the morning. Thank you for the boost of motivation. I’m book marking thins article so I can read it when I’m struggling with my routine.
Love this!! It really makes sense that in order to tackle the 5am routine you have to start in the evening! I’ve tried waking up at 5am but my mind instantly rejects it when I have to actually think at 5am! I’m gonna this change soon. Thanks for sharing!
I want to start waking up earlier. Can you share some tips to how to start making this transition? Right now I am going to bed at midnight and waking up around 8:00am. How much earlier do you have to sleep by? Did you slowly start waking up earlier and earlier or did you just make the switch cold turkey?
You wake up at 5am but i doesnt say wich time are you going to sleep? If u go to sleep at 8 pm or 9 pm then you miss some hour to chill by night.
Yes, my thoughts exactly. How do you reconcile that??
As somebody who does this for five years, I can tell you it’s not sustainable. You can’t long term fool your brain, I’m tired (even though i go to bed at 8) and I gained weight and overall become grumpy. I normally wake around 7 so i should find it easier but no… it’s like your brain can’t agree with getting up at that time even when I get all my hours of sleep.
I’m all for not leaving the house in a rush but his is not a solution either. Not long term. In my view it’s better to get closer to your natural rhythm as much as possible.
Actually, it is true that waking up earlier is better. But adjustments like sleeping earlier has to be made.
I wake up at 430am daily but to do that without falling back to bed needs discipline to fall asleep before 10am for sufficient sleep.
Do give it a try! It is really empowering.
Several years ago, I started getting up an hour earlier than I what I needed just to get to work on time. However, I don’t do it to cram more productivity into my day. I do it for my own enjoyment. I realized that when I got home from work, I was tired and cranky no matter what time I had gotten up, so I might as well get up earlier. I use the extra time to savor my coffee instead of gulping it down while I dash around. I chat with my husband and play with my dog. Weather permitting I stroll in the yard. Then, I leave early enough not to be stressed out if traffic is moving slowly or some other delay occurs. People who sleep until the very last minute and rush out the door don’t know what they’re missing.
What time do you go to bed and how do you manage to go to bed/end your day really early?
I really like the idea of waking up early and tried that for a few months. I took a walk before sending the kids off to school. It worked out great during the weekdays, but me being an opposite of an early bird, on weekends I let myself sleep in later. So I never got to the point of enjoying waking up early. Do you wake up at 5 am on weekends, too?
This is amazing! I’ve heard of this before and sometimes I also have to wake up at 5 and even with less hours of sleep I felt great the entire day. I’m curious at what time you go to bed them and how much sleep you get because that would also impact how you feel in the morning. Thanks for sharing this experience and I hope y’all have a great day❤️❤️
I started to wake up early from July 25, 2019, it makes me happy I get ready and go to Church, and go for walking and get my kids ready for school
Bruh I’ve been trying to wake up 5 for 2 weeks. I am now capable of hitting snooze unconsciously.