When is the time to start the day?  4:30! 

It’s been my favorite start time for 9 years.  It didn’t start that way, no sir.  Starting it sucked and some days it still does.  Horribly.  You grow from doing things that suck.   We all could use extra time in our days; I’ve found extra time by simply getting up much earlier than I used to.  I typically use this time for fitness.  At 44 years old I wish I would have started this habit 28 years ago.  So much lost productivity.  Here’s why:

Fresh start to the day – I’ve gained two full hours of productivity without anything influencing my motivation or mental focus.  I have two hours of time before starting the work-day, sitting in meetings, making decisions, reading emails, cleaning the house or paying bills.  There are no deadlines at 4:30am.

Mental sharpness – Waking up at 4:30 sucked horribly for the first couple of months.  As time progressed, I noticed that my productivity at work increased during the mornings.  I was more mentally sharp and ready to take on the day.  I also noticed that my weekends were becoming more productive as well, despite such an early start.  Without any outside noise, you’ll find yourself coming up with fresh ideas.  You may have to pause a workout to make notes to remind yourself of something you intend to do later in the day.  If you see me playing with my phone at the gym, I’m likely emailing myself with an idea that I’ll use later in the day.  Use this time to come up with ideas to conquer for the day. 

New ideas – During the workday, we’re faced with challenges and decisions.  Some of those carry over into the next day.  Starting your day at 4:30 allows you to have time to yourself with a fresh head to think about what you want to accomplish during the day in front of you.  I was not able to experience this by waking up at 6:30 and leaving the house at 7:30.  I used to sit at my desk with a cloudy head at the beginning of the workday, waiting for coffee to kick in. 

The kids are sleeping – Your kids will be awake when you get home.  They don’t need fed or help with homework that early in the morning. 

No emotion from the day – Not every day will be smooth.  We all have days with difficulty and frustration.  The emotion wears us down and gives us an excuse to ditch the workout.

No obligations – Business dinners, school programs, church events, late night at the office among other obligations occur during evening/weekend hours.  But they don’t occur at 4:30am, the time of the day with the lowest chance of unexpected detours.

Satisfaction – Start your day with a win!  You don’t know what the day may look like, but you why not begin with a sense of accomplishment?  Start your day on a high note!

I have a few recommendations to make this happen.  First off, go to bed a little earlier.  Cut out some of your TV or social media time.  Get as much sleep as possible, but do not hit the snooze button.  Keep your cell phone and/or your alarm clock on the other side of the room.  You’re less likely to hit snooze when you have to get out of bed to hit the button.  You’ll fall asleep faster if your cell phone is out of reach.  

One word of caution—make this time about you and productivity.  Avoid work email—it will be there when you get to the office.  Avoid the TV or anything that may cause you to procrastinate.  You want to benefit from this newfound time, not waste it.  The newfound productivity will keep you motivated to set the alarm at 4:30.

Party like it’s 4:30.  #430