Chasing the Clock? This is How Successful People Get More Done (Before You Even Wake Up)

It can really feel like an uphill battle to take care of ourselves and be productive in the move-it-or-lose-it pace of today’s world. A lot of us have promised to ourselves to be more in control of our days and to spend time doing all the things that would help us become better – only to keep failing time and time again. One item that features prominently in our lists is to wake up early in the morning, join Robin Sharma’s 5 AM Club, so to speak . Most successful people, including CEOs of top companies, are usually awake before dawn, using the time to get their day sorted and tick off the boxes on productivity, health and happiness.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, GM CEO Mary Barra, Virgin’s Richard Bronson and Disney’s Bob Iger are some of the execs that fully embrace the early bird routine, waking up before 4 AM and, in some cases, even getting to work before 6 AM to get a massive head start. Granted, 4 AM might be pushing it for a lot of us, but there are a number of proven benefits to starting the day earlier.

Most early risers swear by the sheer amount of focus that they have at their disposal for thinking through the most difficult challenges. Research studies have also shown how people who wake up earlier in the mornings are generally more likely to remain productive over the course of the day, with significant boosts to energy and focus reserves through the day. Many 5 AM Club members also use this time to keep themselves in top form, through self-care routines including meditation, exercise and catching up with family to ensure that their sharp minds continue to be supported by healthy bodies. For others, a quiet morning can also prove to be really introspective, allowing for clarity of thought on paths, goals and progress rather than being a slave to a schedule that was controlling them, rather than the other way around.

Being part of the 5 AM Club definitely has huge benefits, but there are situations when it might not be the best fit for everyone. Especially, if your personal needs and work schedules require you to be available earlier or later in the day. And as always, you have to identify your chronotype and make sure you’re not building up a sleep deficit and inviting physical and mental trouble by sleeping less than the 6 to 8 hours that your body needs to recharge fully.

How to wake up early?

The advice shared by most proponents of the ideology isn’t dogma – so you may find that a 6 AM or a 7 AM victory hour might be more appropriate for you instead of pushing yourselves to a 5 AM one. However, if you think you’re ready to embrace and reap the benefits of the 5 AM Club, try to gradually adjust your sleep schedule and waking up 15 to 30 mins earlier each day, rather than trying to flip the switch from a post-7 AM wake up cycle. Also, create a relaxing bedtime routine (suffice to say, skip the late night screentime romance) and resist the temptation to plunge headlong into your daily work as soon as you’re awake.

Keep at it consistently, and you’re sure to see a massive boost in your physical and mental well-being as well as amazing yourself and the rest of your circle with your newfound productivity, focus and energy. Carpe diem!