I've been waking up at 5AM for almost 4 years now. So I consider myself somewhat of a professional when it comes to waking up early and maximizing it's potential. Last week, I shared some tips on Twitter about how to wake up early and some of the benefits. I thought I'd share here in full!

Some things I’ve gained from waking up at 5am:
This all came with time. It wasn't immediate, so please be patient!

1. Natural motivation

• I feel so much more in control of my life and my intentions than ever in my life. The motivation I receive from staying accountable and driven from my own decisions is enough to make to be responsible in everything I do.

2. Time to plan and organize

• I love having the opportunity to see my day before it happens. I review my calendar, organize my email, and prioritize what's important all before anyone else gets to decide for me.

3. Self-confidence and awareness

• Meditation is a key component to having a successful morning routine. That quiet time is perfect for checking in with yourself. The misconception of meditation is that our minds have to be quiet but it's the opposite. Listen to the noise. Analyze what it's saying and why. And look for solutions instead of living on auto-pilot.

4. Healthier body and mind

• Having the opportunity to check-in with yourself allows you to get REAL about what you need and why. Don't let life slip by while you procrastinate towards death. Life is NOW. It's not at the end of the goal or the beginning. It's the process. So, enjoy the challenges.

5. Perspective

• Perspective is everything. I used to be so judgmental and negative about everything but that all changed when I updated my perspective through reading and writing during my morning routine. Now, I'm not saying everyday is perfect and that I'm judgment-free, but I'm much more intention with what I hope to see in the world and others and that helps my mood and gives me a lot more direction.

What I do once I wake up:

1. Brush teeth / Clean skin

• I think the bright light from the bathroom light wakes up my nervous system. It can be a bit alarming when you flick the light on at first but you get used to it.  

2. Check my phone

• I like to be aware of the world, etc. before meditation. Ignorance is not bliss!

3. Read a few chapters of a book

• Most of the books I read are during this time are self-help. I try to read anything that's specific to my needs.

4. Meditate

• I've meditated for about 5 years now. I've also been meditating for 180 days in a row. I've learned that not every day is going to be perfect but that's what it's all about. Tuning in to the imperfection and having fun figuring out what to do about it.

5. Journal

• Journaling is absolutely key to getting what's in your head out! Because when it's floating all around in your head, it tends to feel a lot more complicated than it is. So I love to write about what I'm grateful for, what my hopes are, and what I hope to get better at.

6. Share / affirm through internet

• Sharing my thoughts has always been pretty easy for me but it took a long time before I started to realize that words hold a lot of power! So I've been a lot more intentional on what I affirm through my conversations or even through my social media. Plus, people can hold me accountable! I've been vegetarian for 3+ years now all thanks to a tweet.

7. Plan day

• I'm obsessed with this Productivity Planner! But I use it a bit differently than it suggests. So hopefully I can release my own rendition soon.

8. Power Yoga

• I do about a little less than an hour of yoga every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday! I use an app on my phone called Daily Yoga but people have had a lot of success just using YouTube, as well.

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Waking up has a ton of advantages but in order to get the best from your new routine, you have to go to bed early! 9-11PM is my sweet spot. When I go to bed any later, I wake up sluggish. I also miss out on a lot of late-night Internet jokes but I promise, I've gotten used to the FOMO. You'll be just fine.

I hope you enjoy your newfound respect for the morning! I had so much fun, I even started a Daily Sunrise Challenge that continued for more than two years. I hope you're inspired to do the same.

The most important thing to know about privilege is that everyone has some form of it. You don’t need to act guilty or remorseful, just do the right thing. But in order to do the right thing and use your privilege, you must know what your privilege is (if it isn't obvious already).
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Think about the parts of your identity you worry about the least. Your race, gender, ability, religion, sexual orientation, or identity. Once you've figured that out, it's time to take action.

​1. Learn about people who lack that ordinary privilege at work, school, home and in their communities.  Read books, watch documentaries, and ask questions:

• Do they lack rights?
• Do they lack benefits?
• Do they have less freedoms?
• Where do they have less advantages?
  
  

2. Look for opportunities to think and act but you have to make listening a priority. Don’t make it about you.​

• Raise issues to those who can make change
• Add perspective to those who have your privileges
• Give credit and praise where due as much as possible
• Amplify voices of those who need it
• Help when people are interrupted

 
Some of the world's greatest privileges include:

• White privilege which includes a catered society
• Religious privilege that provides a sense of community, celebrations, holidays, and days off
• Gender privilege which is specific to male privilege but there is heterosexual privilege, as well

​Please remember, it is not your job to save those who are less privileged. Instead use your privilege to create a restorative society so that they can make their own decisions and speak for themselves.

I have a bit of experience when it comes to perfectionism and I believe we all do because the world is scary and there's no way we all want to fail our way to the top. That doesn't sound appealing, but you start to realize as you get older, perfectionism is really the thing that's least appealing.
 
Perfectionism is actually fear based and when you're a perfectionist, you hardly live a "perfect" life.
Perfection is preventative and based on a lot of worst case scenarios.
Perfection causes limitations and procrastination.
All in all, perfectionism isn't what it's made out to be.

Here are a few thing's to consider when it comes to perfectionism:
1. Be honest - do you have perfectionist tendencies?

• Just realize it’s not "you." You can change the behavior
•  What triggers it? What's it from? Make a list
• Be realistic of your own tasks and goals

2. Challenge your inner thoughts

• Be mindful in the moment
• Allow positivity and love to propel you. Not Negativity and doubt
• Prioritize self care and invest in yourself. Time off is not time wasted
• Limit your stakes but have fun

3. Face your worst case scenarios

• Talk them out
• Write them out
• Live them out
• Remember them - you’ve survived everything!

4. Not everything has to be perfect

• Good can sometimes be better. Done is enough
• Don’t waste time on what doesn’t matter in the long run
• Set situational standards. What will be seen Vs. what won't
• Understanding "Diminishing Returns" are used to refer to a point at which the level of profits or benefits gained is less than the amount of money or energy invested

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5. Know when to move on

• Have a time limit on your tasks
• Practice “good enough” by testing lowering your standards
• Say “no” more
• Schedule relaxation time

6. Judgement Detox

• Practice patience, kindness and understanding with yourself and others
• Be vulnerable and open up a little more
• Celebrate your mistakes as a lesson learned

7. Are you aimless?

• Can't be distracted by comparison when you're captivated by your purpose
• Lead with feeling, not things

 
Some final perfectionist considerations:
Are your thoughts facts or interpretation?
Are you getting to negative conclusions?
Is what you're thinking about as bad as it seems?
What is the worst that could happen if you try?
Will your failure or success matter in 5 years?