What’s Gotta Stay

Some people relish the idea of getting up early, but most of us find that to be the first difficult thing of the day we have to accomplish.  I used to be a night owl and yet still be able to get up early without missing a beat.  Unfortunately I have to admit that as I am getting older that is not the case.  Despite how good that pillow feels in those early hours, I make it a point to get up early most days because those are the best hours of the day.

I have heard them called the “Golden Hours” and I like the connotation that brings; those hours are the best you will have in the day for getting things done.  There are many reasons the early hours of the day can be so productive.  First, once you have shaken the cobwebs out of your head, and especially when you have become “used” to waking up early again, the first part of the day is your most alert.  Second, there are few distractions during this time; most people are up and going yet so you can get focus on important tasks and get them done.  Another reason is there is likely nothing worth watching on TV or otherwise to waste this time with, so your temptation to sit around and do nothing - like at night - is far less.

The list of good reasons good go on, but the point is that this time can be your’s to grab and make good use of if you so choose.  It really does not matter how you want to use this time, just make good use of it!  Educate yourself on new skills.  Start and stick with a good workout routine; exercise in the morning is the most effective time to do it.  Improve your writing skills on a blog!  Whatever it is you have been wanting to do, use the early hours to do it.

So, how early should you be shooting for?  That of course is entirely up to you, what you want to accomplish, and what your sleep schedule can accommodate.  You may of course need to curb some wasted time at night and get to bed earlier, but that night time is typically just that, wasted.  I shoot for 5 am on most days, which means I try to get to bed around 10 pm to get 7 hours of sleep.  With kids in the house that doesn’t always happen, but that is my goal.  Some of you can’t function on 7 hours of sleep and need an hour or two more, so adjust accordingly.  Even if you are getting up a little later or going to bed a bit earlier, try it out and see what the golden hours can do for you.