The 5 Step Process to Waking up and Getting up Earlier

For many, the morning is a time of disappointment, despair, and desire.

We desire more sleep, despair over time, and disappoint ourselves or others by being late.

What if this could be changed?

What if instead of rolling out of bed after hitting snooze for the 5th time and scrambling to get to class or work, you woke up earlier and had the time to improve yourself, prime yourself for an amazing day, and feel better than ever?

I've been reading The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, and this book promises precisely that.

I'd never been a morning person before reading the book, but after trying it out, I think that everyone should do this at least once in their lives.

You might be surprised by what you find.

Everyone has different motivations for waking up earlier. For some, it's working on their businesses, and for others, it might be studying for an important exam, getting some "you" time, or going to the gym. 

Either way, waking up early is a great way to accomplish those goals!

Anyway, here's the 5 step process!

1. What Goes in Comes Out

Have you ever noticed how if you go to bed angry, you might have an angry dream and wake up angry?

Or how if you go to bed dreading the morning with the realization that you will be exhausted and the thought that you never get enough sleep?

When you wake up in the morning, you are probably exhausted and feeling like you could sleep for days.

This is an interesting pattern that shows the thoughts that you fall asleep with are often the thoughts that resurface as soon as you wake up.

This means that by thinking negative thoughts about waking up while you're falling asleep, you're priming yourself to feel those negative thoughts when you actually wake up.

Instead of doing that, think of how good you will feel in the morning when you're up before everyone, and you get your peace, quiet, workout time, or whatever else you want.

2. Move Your Alarm Clock

This is an often-used tip for those who want to wake up earlier but can't do it.

Well... technically, the issue isn't waking up. The issue is getting up and refusing to get back in bed.

Moving your alarm clock means you have to get up to turn it off, and once you're up, you should go on to the next step right away to keep your momentum going.

If your alarm clock isn't loud enough, the solution is simple: buy a new clock!

What's more important to you? $10 or a better life?

3. Drink a Glass of Water

I switched numbers 3 and 4 because that's how I prefer to do it. However, you can brush your teeth first and then drink a glass of water.

Your body will be incredibly dehydrated after not drinking during the night, so the tiredness you feel might actually be from dehydration and not from actual "tiredness."

I put the glass of water by my alarm clock every night, so when I turn off my alarm, I have the water right there, so I might as well drink it!

4. Brush Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth is a simple task that doesn't require a ton of willpower.

You're already up. You drank a glass of water. You might as well continue the streak by doing something simple like brushing your teeth.

You can do this task while your brain and body fully wake up. 

The first 5 minutes after you wake up are the hardest because all you want to do is sleep, but once you're past that, you'll feel rested!

5. Take a Shower or Workout

I work out in the evening, but I do a couple of pushups and squats in the morning to get my blood flowing before I step in the shower.

This makes me more awake, and I feel like I "earned" my shower. (Sounds silly, but try it!)

After this, you should be awake enough to overcome the desire to sleep and work on whatever it is you need to work on.