Rise & Shine: Your Path to Success Starts Early

So, we started this thing where we have decided to join the part of the world that gets up at 5 in the morning! You read that right my friends 5 AM (insert crazy eyes). Now I didn't come up with this crazy idea on my own. Many business articles, self-help books, and motivational speakers all say that to be successful and achieve your ultimate goals you should start your day at 5 am. When I first read this, I thought it was the craziest thing to assume that a mom wants to get up at 5 am and start her day hours before her kids wake up (depending on what time your kids decide to start their day)! Friends, I was wrong...

Disclaimer

Let me drop this disclaimer here first. We just started this and are about a week into our 5 am wakeups. With that being said I am positive that in a few weeks, I'll have a "Part 2" of this blog entry to share with you more from our experience because we've already learned that as we stick to this new routine we are still learning more.

Knowledge Drop

Do you go through each day feeling like you can't catch up? The feeling of constantly chasing pending tasks and the clock is cheating the race. That's how I would spend most of my days and I will tell you one thing for sure it becomes so miserable! The constant feeling of not being successful. Getting to the end of the day exhausted and realizing you barely got 2 things done on your never-ending "to-do" list.

Waking up early has been associated with increased proactivity and improved performance. Harvard biologist Christoph Randler discovered that early risers are more proactive, which can contribute to greater success in their professional lives.

(inc.com)

Reality...

The hard truth is I started to realize on mornings that I was rushing to get the kids out of the door because we were running late or even days that I had just enough time to get dressed and walk out of the door, I was CRANKY! It wasn't always the same level of crankiness, but it was still there. I found myself getting annoyed easily or quickly triggered by someone not listening. I first noticed the difference on days when I had a 20–30-minute window to myself before I had to get the kids up for school. In that small window, I was able to sit and drink my coffee and journal or even read a few pages. Whatever it was I did during that time, I wasn't rushing. This put me in a whole different headspace. I felt more in control and calmer.

Then I thought if 20-30 minutes makes this big of a difference in how I feel and my mood, starting my day 2 hours early should be a game changer! A game changer it is - but it hasn't been easy. Now, I understand this may not be for everyone and you have to do what works for your schedule and listen to your body.

There have been some mornings when my alarm clock lost, and my bed won.

There have been nights that my little guy has gotten us up several times so we can walk him to the bathroom to pee. Making a 5 am wake-up laughable!

There have also been mornings that I've gotten up 5 minutes before my 5 am alarm. Mornings that I got 7 hours of sleep and am excited to get the day started and get shit done.

Waking Up Early Changes Everything

It's a journey and we are still navigating it ourselves, but it has helped me feel better and be more productive. The most important thing is to stick to it and continue to be consistent. With consistency comes better routines and with better routines comes success. Give yourself that uninterrupted time to work on your second or third business. Maybe you use this time to start that business you've been dreaming of but haven't started because you have "no time". Some of you just need the time for yourselves.

Waking up earlier isn’t just about getting out of bed—it’s about setting yourself up for a more productive, focused, and successful life. By giving yourself extra time in the morning to plan, reflect, and take care of your well-being, you’re investing in a mindset that breeds achievement. Small changes in your routine can lead to big transformations in your personal and professional life.

So set that alarm, embrace the early hours, and take control of your success—because the best opportunities start with a head start.