5 Tips For Waking Up Early

Posted on 01.27.09 in Productivity and there are

photo by foxypar4
For the past 6 months or so I’ve been getting up at 5:30am. I love it. I love facing the day knowing I’ve already accomplished so much.

I’ve tried many times in my life to consistently wake up early, but I’ve always been derailed by sickness, travel or my own laziness. For some reason, this time it’s stuck. Here are a few things that have helped me develop the habit.

Go To Bed On Time

We all need a certain amount of sleep (usually 7-8 hours). Find out what that golden number is for you and be sure to go to bed in time so that you’re ready to get up when the alarm goes off.

We start tomorrow by going to bed on time today.

Set Two Alarms

I set two alarms each day. My watch alarm goes off at 5:25am. My phone alarm goes off at 5:35am. This way, if I turn my watch alarm off while I’m half asleep, my phone alarm will ensure that I still get up on time.

Another tip is to place your backup alarm across the room. That way you HAVE to get out of bed to turn it off.

Simple Goals - No Excuses

Simple consistent goals are better than impressive inconsistent ones.

Don’t give yourself ANY excuses. Set a realistic morning goal and stick to it.

I wake up at 5:30 every day of the week. My only goal when the alarm goes off is to get out of bed. That’s it.

If I can just get out of my (warm, cozy, comfy) bed I will have met my goal. Invariably, once I get out of bed I look forward to my morning routine. But I can’t let all my plans loom over my head when all I need to do is get out of bed.

So make your goal simple:

All you need to do is get out of bed.

Be Accountable

Tell someone the time that you want to get up each morning and ask them to keep you accountable. This might be your spouse, a roommate or a friend.

Make sure this person is brave enough to call you out if necessary.

One friend of mine enlists her kids to keep her accountable. She has told them that if they find her in bed when they get up, they can freely (without fear of retribution) pour cold water on her! Now that’s serious. I love it!

Reward Yourself

Finally, be sure to reward yourself for your efforts. Set a realistic goal (perhaps waking up early for a whole week) and then treat yourself. You could spend your morning time at Starbucks instead of your living room. Or you could buy yourself a new album or book. Whatever will provide that extra incentive on difficult mornings.

Your Turn

What time do you wake up in the morning? What time do you want to wake up? Any tips?

(This post is a part of WFMW.)

The Comments:

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I read this whole post thinking, “Wow, those are great ideas if you want to get up early - but why would I want to get up early?”

Getting up early just isn’t me.  It’s not laziness or a lack of motivation.  I just think better and get more done in the afternoons and evenings, no matter how much sleep I’ve gotten, and I feel no guilt about sleeping as long as possible the mornings.  Of course, with three kiddos, I know your days are crazier than mine!

Kat, thank you for this post..... I have an incredibly hard time getting up early in the morning, but when I do I always feel great about my day. I don’t think I will shoot for 5:30 am, but I am going to try for 6:30 am. You rock!

TIA,
Ha! Can we switch schedules for a day? I can fake a phd.

Yeah, nevermind.

I’ve normally been a night person, but I think the main reason I love the mornings is because it’s guaranteed alone time. I normally have someone hanging on me and if I can just get some time in the morning to think my own thoughts I’m much nicer the rest of the day.

I must confess I have a hard time going to bed on time (although I’ve gotten much better). I love the late nights too…

Jeanine,
I’m glad you found it helpful!

But...are musicians *allowed* to get up early. I thought you’re supposed to stay up late and sleep late...?

HA! And I had just set my alarm for 7 am...... thank you for giving me the excuse to turn it off again! *grin*

When I wake up on my own terms vs a small child waking me up I am an entirely different person. I do not get up early every day of the week, but I do have a standing track date at 6 am on Thursdays. I get to visit with a friend that I love and we work out at the same time- total multitasking. I have found that though I *think* I like sleeping in, I’d rather go to bed early....dishes in the sink or not!

I have two get up times, depending on if hubby works or not. If he works, I am up at 4am. If he doesn’t, I am up at 5am. I give myself that extra hour of sleep on those days. My body thanks me for it. Hehe. I have found I do better in my day if I get up early. I get all my “me” time things done and have my mind and body ready for whatever comes my way.

I’m doing ok at this most nights/mornings, thanks to your tips, Kat--and it is so rewarding to have the time alone! Last night was hard, though, a friend was emailing me amazing music late into the night, so I was a little distracted.

Kristiana,

You need to find better friends.

FYI - when you commented, that website link box is a good spot to post the url to your etsy store. Might get a couple clicks...or sales…

I promise not to email great music late at night anymore.
I promise not to email great music late at night anymore.
I promise not to email great music late at night anymore.
I promise not to email great music late at night anymore.
I promise not to email great music late at night anymore.
I promise not to email great music late at night anymore.

Maybe I could get some better friends on facebook…

If you like caffeinated hot chocolate, you should ask Common Grounds to put their special ‘caffeinated sweetner’ in your hot chocolate next time!

XOXO

I’m a 5:30 girl, too.  This was my husband’s great idea, and guess who continues to sleep in till at least 6? 

Anyway, like you, I know that 5:30am is the only alone time I can count on all day.

I love getting up early to work out, but since Christmas I haven’t been able to.  My kids have been sick, and I haven’t slept through the night since the holidays.  I miss waking up early (and working out!), though, and am looking forward to getting back to it.

I love the idea of a reward.  I am working on making a habit of getting up at 6am. I need the time before Froggy gets up to have my coffee and get my schoolwork done.

my goal is to change my morning routine. I hate getting up late but I for some reason do it. Tonight I am hoping to reset when I go to bed and get up! Thanks for the ideas, hopefully I can stick with it.

Just don’t go to sleep ...stay up all night.

I have been waking up at 5:30AM for a year.  Knowing that a friend is waiting for me at the gym gives me enough motivation.

These are great ideas!  I’m going to work on implementing them this week and use the time to go to the gym every morning.  I’m pumped up - thank you!!

I get up at 4:45 and LEAVE MY HOUSE by 5:30 to go to work.  It is hard, but I do it for my family and so that I am home by a decent hour in the afternoon/evening.

5:30 am???!!!!  I didn’t know that time was legal.  8D
I wish I had it in me, but we are nightowls, indeed!

Hector,
I tried that a couple times. It turned me into a mean mommy.

Annie,
Have I mentioned lately that you’re amazing? ‘Cuz you are…

Hi!

I’m so glad I found your link on WFMW. Man, oh Man did I ever need to hear that! I have been attempting to become a morning person for the last 5 years- ever since becoming a parent! I really do want to get up....but I usually just hit the snooze button....many, many times

I am the classic night owl, but really do love the mornings- once I’m up and out of bed. (I think I may have to try giving my 5 year old permission to dump water on me if I’m found in bed- YIKES)

Ok, 6am here I come!
Thanks for the inspiration!

this morning, my daughter, who usually gets up around 5:30am, work up at 2:45am. i glanced at the clock, thought it said 5:45am, and took her downstairs. when we turned on “go, diego, go” i noticed that the tv said 2:45am so i promptly shut it off (to her protest!) and put her back in her bed. unfortunately, i didn’t relaly get back to sleep....what a wreck of a day! i get up every morning with her and it’s just not fun. but i’m less crabby than my husband who HATES the early mrorning.

i’m off to bed…

Oh, Phyllis!
That’s terrible. I’ve done that before. So...not fun. Hope you get a nap in today!

great reminders. i’m taking notes...i am horrible at getting up early when i need to.

These tips are great, practical and completely doable.  No walking through fire or glass necessary!
Take care,
Julie

Getting to bed on time ... that is the hardest thing for me to do !!  I set two alarms as well !  Both on my phone ... but I sent one for 6:00 and one for 6:15 ... I like to “snooze” for a bit before I finally make the big jump out of the bed !!! 

I love the cold water idea ... except that I’d be washing sheets A LOT !  My kids are early risers and are up long before I get up between 6 and 6:15 !!!

I am not a morning person, but I do much better when I wake up on my own, rather than when my three year old wakes me up. I go to bed at about 11:00 and wake up at about 7:45 right now, but I would love to start waking up at about 6:00 or 6:30.

You’ve motivated me to try.

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