What To Gain From Waking Up Early

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.