Help Yourself Wake-Up Early

I don’t know about you, but whenever I want to do something I start doing my homework and most often I gravitate towards self-help information.  I was very deliberate in my journey and focused on successful people’s habits that helped their careers. 

I remember about 3 years ago in my reading list was a book called What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by author Laura Vanderkam; which was a combination of short stories about successful people and their life habits. They all had several things in common but getting up early was what I was focused on at the time.

This book got me charged up to begin waking up at 4:00 am.  I was determined to be productive… and set to do it.  Okay, then that day came and my alarm went off…I hit the snooze button once, twice; and at that point, I’m sure a good 3 more times before I eventually got up.  Ugh…what was I thinking… I’m not a morning person.  Y ‘all… I must have lost my mind! Before I knew it, I  thought maybe tomorrow I’ll try again – this time I’ll set my alarm for 5:30 am.  Well, ladies that lasted all but three days and instead 6:30 am became the norm. Why did I think 4:00 am was a good idea?

Most people enjoy increased discipline, energy, and focus in the morning. – Laura Vanderkam

 See, nothing in her book pin points that these successful people are waking up early to work on their passion, but instead it really emphasized that many of these successful individuals are doing this more so that they can work without interruption or they needed to line-up their schedules with colleagues working in different time zones.  There were a few others in the book who were rising early to exercise and spend additional time with their families because they know that if they don’t prioritize their lives, they won’t get to enjoy them at all.

To Wake Up Early You Should Have a Plan & Reason

Having more time is not the same thing as using the time.  Girl, if that was the case whenever you had a sleepless night you would be Miss productive.  I can admit that I never use that time to be productive.  Don’t judge me, but I just snack. However, if I have somewhere specific to be, I get up and move with purpose.   

The key to optimizing your day has less to do with sticking to some predetermined wake-up time and more to do with tailoring your morning routine to prioritize tasks that are personally important to you. – Vanderkam

Now, 3 years later and 3 years wiser  I get up at 6:00 am, so that I can ensure that I hug and kiss my Fella before he goes to work.   I spend 15 minutes of time focusing on my gratitude to God, shower, fix myself a green smoothie, and pack my lunch.  This also, allows me time to catch up with my sister girl-friend on the phone and get to work by 8:00 am.  Did you know that Oprah Winfrey also gets up at 6:00 am?   I guess I’ll have my own network soon.    

How to Help Yourself

1.      Don’t fight your body clock because you’ll probably lose.  You may not be an early morning person so instead take advantage of the late hours, when you’re already alert.  I know I work better at night.

2.     Don’t stress over this just work on it in 15-minute manageable increments or whatever works for you. 

3.     Don’t waste your time so be purposeful in what you are doing for yourself. 

4.     Don’t compare yourself to someone else.  Remember their journey looks different than yours.

I wish you the best in setting up a new morning routine.  YOU Got This Girl!!!!