How Waking Up At 5:30AM Changed My Life

It wasn't necessarily a New Year's Resolution, but the start of 2018 was when I started waking up earlier. I was looking up to be more successful, get more things done during the day, and overall feel better. So I said, "why not!". Before this, I would wake up between 7...8...9... and even noon before my son was born.

I found out more than ever that a consistent sleep schedule is important. It took about 3 days/nights of consistently going to bet at 10PM and up at 5:30AM to feel OK.

Well, this is what I could accomplish before I would even normally wake up.

I Had Time To Exercise

Very few people have the motivation to go to the gym. The day is hectic, there are things to be done, and it also takes effort to actually drive there. I found when I woke up at 5:30AM, I had just as much motivation to go to the gym as to even wash the dishes. But, I knew I was going to get up anyway, so it was the perfect time.

Many people say they get energy from going to the gym. I felt invigorated for about 2 hours, then typically crash on the couch for half an hour. But after that nap, I never felt tired again till evening time. But that's a good thing! You should feel tired when its bedtime, and not be staring at a screen waiting to feel tired.

I Could Plan Out My Day

I have a sticky note that I place on the bottom left corner of my monitor. By the end of the day, the goal is to tear it up. When I would get home from the gym, my next task is always to make goals for the day, and even add daily tasks such as dishes, wash clothes, sweep, write a blog post.... I would dream bigger, but be specific. For instance, when I started 'putting my name on the internet', I needed a website, I needed to update my twitch stream portfolio, write my book 21 lessons learned by 21, and I needed to start doing product reviews/being a product affiliate. Those are BIG items! So, I would specifically write down small goals that can be accomplished in a day for those big goals.

Overall, I probably spend 10 minutes writing this list for the day. Yet, I get probably 2 hours more done because of those 10 minutes. Without this list, I would always find myself thinking, "what do I need to get done", CONSTANTLY!

I Set Time Aside For Meditation

Being a Christian, prayer and reading the Bible are big parts of my life. Yet, so many other things around me are constantly going on (especially when dealing with a crying child) that it escapes my mind. While on the stair climber on the gym, or even after I make my to do list, I would start meditating.

I would think about the things I have, the things I am grateful for, and the situations I have gone through in the past. I would open up the Bible on my phone and start reading. But it was different. I wasn't pressured to read as fast as I could because I didn't have time, I could slowly enjoy and think about what I was reading. I could pray in quietness talking with God. It was an extraordinary feeling and change that I wish I had done sooner.

I Felt Happier Throughout The Day

Maybe it was just a new year. Maybe it was a combination of everything I've done above. Maybe it was just knowing I got a lot done before I would even wake up on my previous schedule. I can now check the clock and it would be 8 AM and I felt on top of the world. I had so much done and I had so much to look forward to in the rest of the day.