For the last two weeks, I’ve focused on morning habits that help me start the day effectively. So this week, I’m starting with the first action of the day: getting out of bed.
Much of what you read about productivity and motivation revolves around getting up early, attacking the day. Over many years, I’ve trained myself to wake up early. At this point, in my 50s, I usually wake up around 6:00 am even if I haven’t set an alarm. That does not, however, consistently translate into getting things done in the morning. It’s common for me to lie in bed reading email or playing games on my phone until well after 7:00. That doesn’t set a productive tone for the day.
While I’m not yet making a long-term commitment to a specific time for waking, I’ve found that 5:40 am allows me to get everything done before my wife needs to start getting ready for work. When I get up at 5:40, I’m completely ready for the day by 6:30. That early morning time is available for just about anything: exercise, reading, or catching up on work. It’s time without interruptions, a valuable commodity these days. Do you get up at a specific time? If so, what effect has that practice had for you?