I take a little pride in telling people I wake up early everyday at 4:30am. It sounds insanely early, right? I never thought I’d be THAT early of a bird — but apparently I am.
I often hear, “I don’t know how you do that” or “You’re crazy” or “I could never do that.”
It’s not easy but, it works. I am kind of worthless after work and so, it’s in those before-work hours that I cram in all of my productivity. That’s how I juggle my many hats!
By 9am, I’ve exercised, meditated, blogged, started dinner, done some writing, eaten breakfast and caught up on the news. No, I don’t have kids — yet 🙂
So, how do I drag my tired butt out of bed at such an ungodly hour every weekday morning? Here ya go :
- Set ONE alarm. I do NOT hit snooze. Snooze is the enemy of getting up early. You have to train your body to get up when your alarm goes off — no excuses. Determine in your head that you only get one shot. 30 days to make a habit folks!
- Ignore the pain. It’s painful to leave a warm, comfy bed, I know. That’s where you need perspective. The benefits of getting up far outweigh the luxury of staying in bed (most of the time!). If you have stuff to get done, you have a much better chance of doing it in the morning.
- Tip for ignoring the pain: Mantras! Just do it!
- Pre-made coffee. My coffee pot is ready to go the night before so all I have to do is press a button to get some. You can even pre-set it to start running so it’s done when you get up. I’m just too lazy to figure out the timer thing on my pot 🙂
- Cold water. Your body needs hydration in the AM. One way to naturally wake yourself up is with a big glass of cold water first thing. I recommend the chug method — it works for me in more ways than one.
- Morning routine. The very first thing I do when I get up is brush teeth — telling my mouth to wake up! Then, I splash water on my face until I feel slightly more alive. By that time, I’m ready to go grab that cup of coffee.
- No immediate pressure. While my workout is an early morning priority, 5am is too early for all that action. Instead, I grab my Bible and notebook (could be any kind of motivational book for you of course) and read passages, write down things I’m thankful for — and my prayers. My brain starts working and by the end of my quiet time, I’m feel much more awake.
- Split second decision making. I know for a fact that my best writing is done with a fresh mind in the morning. I know that if I don’t do something in the morning, it’s much less likely to get done. I’ve learned that priorities are best taken care of with the morning light. All of those things float through my mind in the split second I open my eyes and make the decision whether to stay in bed or get up. I nearly always choose to get up.
Not everyone is an early bird — and you certainly don’t have to be. But, busy lives call for a little discipline and getting up at 4:30 could be your new best friend. I never would have been able to study enough for my recent CPT certification or get all my extra freelance work done or make great strides in CrossFit without making myself get up early.
You will find me in bed by 10pm every night. It all depends on how much sleep YOU need. But if you’re looking for a way to change your life for the better and get more things done, I recommend trying my proven methodology 🙂
What tips and tricks do you have for getting up early? What concerns do you have? Any questions I can address?
Rebecca P. says
Haha, yes girl! This is me! I get up 4:15 every day during the week and 4:45 on the weekends! By 9 oclock I’ve done so much too! I just love my morning routine! I never have a problem once my feet hit the floor (er…yoga mat in my case!)
Ericka Andersen says
Wow earlier than me — props to you Rebecca!
Brittany Trentham says
I would love getting up that early… but I just CAN’T. I do well to get up by 7am… however I can’t sleep past 8!
Ericka Andersen says
Hey I get it, some are NOT wired like me! But “early” can be relative 🙂
Kelsey says
I get up around 5:30ish. I do my devotionals right when I wake up to start my day off right too! Then, I workout, take a shower and eat breakfast before heading to work. Luckily, I am able to go dressed in comfy clothes and a wet head haha. It helps that I don’t have to dry my hair and fix it fancy everyday. I am a nanny so I play with a baby and five year old all day. It’s the best!!!
Great post girl!
Ericka Andersen says
Thank you Kelsey! I love my early morning routine!
Almost Getting it Together says
I wake up at 5:30…. but honestly wouldn’t mind waking up earlier. I love doing some writing, blogging, getting my run done and eating breakfast before I leave for the office!!
Ericka Andersen says
Kindred spirits!
Lindsey says
These are awesome tips!! I get up at 6 and hit the gym and then do my quiet time after. The key to me getting out of bed is not thinking so that I don’t make excuses!
-Lindsey @ Simply Lindsey
Ericka Andersen says
Thanks Lindsey…I agree, you can’t overthink it or you won’t get up!
Heather Balogh says
Ditto on the alarm! I never hit snooze because it just enables me to stay in bed longer. The alarm goes off and I know that is my one and only chance to get up.
Ericka Andersen says
Snooze is bad news!
RestonStyle says
I totally agree! I get up at 4, 4 days a week to swim. But it means I’m in bed by 9 or 9:30!
Ericka Andersen says
ooooh 4, even earlier!
Julie DenOuden says
I think the biggest thing that helps me get up early consistently is making sure I go to bed at a good time…otherwise I’m toast in the morning!
Ericka Andersen says
I agree…if I’m up past 10:30, I start getting anxious!
Kristen says
I get up at 4:20 on weekdays, and by 5:30 (without an alarm) on the weekends. I think being relatively consistent in waking up, even on the weekend, helps. Also, my goal is to be out the door running within 10 minutes of my alarm going off. The snooze holds no appeal. And once I have run, I am ready to tackle the day. Because I know I am most productive in the morning, I shift everything early. I am always to work by 7, and I have those few hours in the day before everyone else is in to get things done. Getting home early allows more time with my kids… But, I try and get in bed by 8:30 to read with lights out between 9 and 9:30.
But, I think I am naturally a morning person and this routine won’t work well for a night owl. So much I think is just based on basic body chemistry.
Patty @ Reach Your Peak says
Within 10 min of waking up wow! Do you not feel stiff as you wake up and go run? Or do you do some sort of warm up?
Ericka Andersen says
Also, doing a little yoga stretch sesh helps….just waking up your bones and joints!
Ericka Andersen says
Definitely not for a night owle! …however, I think some people have to switch it around neccesarily to make their lives work so maybe this will help!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak says
Well, as you wrote, “I don’t know how you do that!” lol I struggle just getting up at 7 am. I’m NOT a morning person. It takes me about 2 hours to fully wake up and not feel like a zombie. So do you have coffee and then wait a certain amount of time to run or just get out there once you’re done? No issues with stomach cramping and stuff? Thanks for the tips!
Ericka Andersen says
I have coffee right away and usually workout an hour later. Part of the getting up so early is giving myself the time to “be ready” for the other stuff! I usually eat like half a protein bar or a banana 20 minutes before workout so I avoid stomach issues for the most part.
Kelsey Ann Yoki says
I need to show this to my boyfriend – he is notorious for hitting snooze multiple times…every.single.morning. I’m a big fan of get up when the alarm goes off (except for the occasional morning I immediately drift off again – which is weird!). I work out at 6:30am as of now, but get up around 5ish so I can take my time getting ready, plus prep what I need to grab for the work day! I’m definitely a morning person, and love those weird early hours (even on weekends!)
Ericka Andersen says
I have a weird fear of the alarm noise so I will often wake up minutes before in anticipation…so crazy!
tiff says
Any difference with Jacob?