HOW TO WAKE UP AT 5AM: THE SECRET TO PRODUCTIVITY
There’s one habit that changed everything for me, more than a planner, a podcast, or another to-do list app ever could.
Waking up at 5AM.
Not because it’s trendy or because hustle culture said so, but because it gave me something I didn’t have before: ownership over my time.
Before 5AM became my norm, I felt like I was always catching up and was living my day on defense. But once I started waking up before everyone else, I realized that the morning is the best time to get clarity and get time for yourself.
Why 5AM Just Works
I wasn’t born a morning person, but I did train myself to become one.
Here’s what waking up early gave me:
Uninterrupted time before the texts and emails
Mental clarity to exercise, read, pray and plan
Momentum that set the tone for the rest of my day
Discipline that bled into every other area of my life
Flexibility to do whatever I want after I’m done working without sacrificing my health and alone time (time with friends or family, extra time to work, or the ability to go do what I need to do)
When you’re up at 5AM and already moving toward your goals while most people are sleeping, you start to believe in yourself a little differently.
What I Do Between 5AM–8AM
Everyone’s routine will look different, but mine usually includes:
Exercise: Typically weightlifting and walking outside to get my body going
Intentional Inputs: Listening to a podcast, reading a chapter of a book, and getting time to pray
Prepping: Instead of doing miscellaneous things during my workday, waking up early gives me some extra time to shower, do laundry, or get extra things done before I start work
It’s not about doing everything, it’s about doing the most important things first.
Tips For Waking Up at 5AM:
Start Slowly: Wake up 10 minutes earlier each day during the work week - this will ease you into the 5AM lifestyle. And once you start, you won’t be able to go back!
Make a Plan: Making a plan for how you’re going to spend your morning before work will give you structure and an actual reason to get up early. Making a plan can look like: Wake up, pray, go to the gym or go for a walk, come home and read, take a shower, start the workday!
Read the 5AM Club: The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma was the reason why I started the morning routine and it was a lifesaver - highly, highly recommend.
Give Yourself a Reward: I’m the type of person who needs a reward, so my reward for waking up early was always a latte at my favorite coffee shop. Choose that works best for you, but the reward will make it so much easier in the morning when you don’t want to get up.
Just Try It
You may not think you’re a morning person, but just try it.
Waking up early isn’t about being perfect or productive every second, but it shows yourself that you’re serious about your time, your goals, and the person you’re becoming.
It doesn’t have to be 5AM on the dot. But it does have to be you taking the lead on your life, because you deserve the head start.
Try it for a week. See what happens.
x, LG Curry