Probably a combination of getting older and busier, I now wake up at 5:00am every single day. Some consider it too early, but that time has become critical to getting a meaningful start to the day. That start usually provides a high-quality, two-hour span in which to get things done before tending to a waking family and the rest of the world.
Here’s my routine:
My body wakes itself up at 5:00am, and I use the next 30 minutes to mentally prepare for my day.
My alarm clock goes off at 5:30am, which prompts me to get out of bed.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I use the early waking hours to engage in “quiet thinking work” and take calls with my colleagues in India (who are 9.5 hours ahead in their day).
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, I get to the gym for a full body workout.
And on Sundays, I manage the household finances, followed by reading and writing about non-work matters.
I like these mornings so much that I’m tempted to push the start to 4:00am. But that would require a steadfast 10:00pm bedtime, and that’s near impossible in our busy house.
(Photo credit: Teo)
Max – this is very inspiring, I need to get into this work mode.
For me, it’s survival, and Laura says my dark eyes I look like I get up at 5am. But if I lost those early hours, I feel like I’d lose the day.
Good for you Max. You & Ben Franklin have the same schedule: http://flowingdata.com/2011/03/20/daily-schedule-of-benjamin-franklin/
Adam, thanks for sharing that awesome link! For everyone else, Ben Franklin also started each day at 5:00am: “Rise, Wash, and address Powerful Goodness; contrive day’s business and take the resolution of the day; prosecute the present study; and breakfast.”