How to Get Up Early
"Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." - Benjamin Franklin from Poor Richard's Almanack
"Put no trust in the benefits to accrue from early rising, as set forth by the infatuated Franklin..." - Mark Twain from "Early Rising, As Regards Excursions to the Cliff House" published July 3, 1864 in The Golden Era
The Plan:
- Each day awake only 15-30 minutes earlier than usual until you hit the time that's right for you.
- Getting up earlier will cause you to get tired earlier. As this happens, listen to yourself and go to sleep. If you think it's too early, try reading a book.
- Don't use an alarm clock. Trust your circadian rhythm. You'll wake up when you need to. Try it.
- And once you wake up, get up. Go out of the bedroom as soon as your eyes open. Don't think about the comfy covers or waking your spouse. If you do, the next thing you know will be rushing out the door.
- Reward yourself for waking up. Eat a hearty breakfast (and lose weight), exercise, meditate, or take a hot bath, anything to take advantage of the quiet time and put the focus on you. By the time 6:30 rolls around you'll have done more than many people do the entire day.
References: "How to Become an Early Riser" by Zen Habits
