Benefits of Rising Early (Part One)

What are the Benefits of Rising Early?

Now, let me say if you are a night owl, and that works for you, I think that’s great! There’s no reason to change, especially if you’re happy with it. Looking at how much better I seem to function when I start our early has helped me in so many ways that I’d never go back. I believe my best work is done in the early morning hours between 7a and 9a when there are few, if any distractions. Here are just a few Benefits:

1. Greet the day. I love being able to get up, and greet a wonderful new day. I suggest creating a morning ritual that includes saying thanks for your blessings. “Everyday, think as you wake up, ‘today I am fortunate to have woken up, I am alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others, I am going to benefit others as much as I can.’ ” ~~Dahli Lama
2. Amazing start. I used to start my day by jumping out of bed to go to my corporate job, late as usual, and rushing to get myself out the door.  I would walk around until about 10 am at my J.O.B. barely looking alive and wondering if I was ever going to wake up. Not a great way start to each and every day.
3. Quiet Time. No kids yelling, no babies crying, no soccer balls, no cars, no radio, no television noise. The early morning hours are so peaceful, so quiet. It’s my favorite time of day. I truly enjoy that time of peace, that time to myself, when I can think, when I can read, when I can breathe.
4. Sunrise. People who wake late miss one of the greatest feats of nature, repeated in full stereovision each and every day — the rise of the sun. I have been flying into the sunrise where you can see the black of space and the end of sunlight meet.  What an incredible picture!  Enjoy the sunrise!
5. Breakfast. Rise early and you actually have time for breakfast. I’m told it’s one of the most important meals of the day. Without breakfast, your body is running on fumes until you are so hungry at lunchtime that you eat whatever unhealthy thing you can find.
6. Exercise. There are other times to exercise besides the early morning, of course, so I try to do it before I begin working in the morning. But, if I don’t do it then, I definitely try to take a break at lunch time and get on the treadmill for a minimum of 30 minutes.  
7. Productivity. Mornings, for me at least, are the most productive time of day (as I mentioned before—usually between 7a and 9a). I like to do some writing in the morning, when there are no distractions, before I check my email or blog stats. I get so much more done by starting on my work in the morning..
8. Goal time. Got goals?  There’s no better time to review them and plan for them and do your goal tasks than first thing in the morning. You should have at least one goal that you want to accomplish this week. And every morning, you should decide what one thing you can do today to move yourself further towards that goal. And then, if possible, do that one goal first thing in the morning.
9. Appointments. It’s much easier to make those early appointments on time if you get up early. Showing up late for an appointment (even if it is a scheduled phone call appointment)  is a bad signal to the person you’re meeting. Showing up/calling a little bit early will impress them. Plus, you get time to prepare.

How do you start your day?  I believe the way you start your day sets the tone for the rest of the day.

Check back tomorrow for "How To Become An Early Riser."