In my first two posts on the mind's impact on productivity, I'm advocating for the transformative magic of freeing your mind. Seriously, it's a game-changer. Kickstart your day early to ensure you have time for mind-clearing activities.

Look, rolling out of bed just in time to tackle work, school, or parenting? It's a recipe for chaos. Life throws curveballs, right? Unforeseen delays, distractions, morning sluggishness—we all experience it. And trust me, it's a one-way ticket to Stressville and lower productivity.

Encourage yourself to add at least an hour to your getting started routine. I get it; time's slippery. So, I made this handy list of questions and considerations to help you figure out how much extra time you need. Consider how these factors apply to you. While thinking through this list of questions, be honest with yourself. The goal is to leave yourself enough time to accomplish what’s important. If you aren’t realistic about the required time, you will not benefit from waking up early. You will end up more stressed because you tried fitting in more than you can realistically get done.

• What activities am I already doing that I need or should continue?

• What is always on my mind that I would like to do at the start of my day but feel I don’t have enough time?

• Am I typically late or on time?

• Am I open to adjusting my start time based on evolving needs and circumstances?

• How can I build flexibility into my routine to accommodate unexpected events?

• What are my main distractions?

• Do I find myself spending excessive time on electronic devices?

  • Can I establish a "tech-free" period to enhance focus?

• Is there anything that I can prepare the night before?

• If you have kids, consider if they are at an age where they can have independence in the morning, even with some preparation the night before.

• What time do I go to bed? Am I getting enough sleep? Am I tired when I wake up, or am I energized?

• Do I prefer physically active or mentally stimulating tasks when I start my day?

  • Do I include physical exercise in my routine?

• Do I incorporate any mindfulness or relaxation techniques when I start my day?

  • How can I create a calm, focused mental state before starting my day?

• Do I value social interactions when starting my day or solitude?

  • How can I balance socializing with the need for personal time?

• What activities or surroundings inspire creativity and positivity for me?

  • How can I infuse my routine with elements that spark creativity?

• What would I gain if I started my day an hour earlier than I do now? 

Waking up a bit earlier is like unlocking a whole new level of productivity. The benefits are numerous. Don't just take my word for it; check out this article, “10 Reasons to Get Up Early — Because Early Rising Isn't Just for Birds,” for additional benefits. And hey, if you're a master of distraction, I've got your back with a post on creating a routine coming next.

This advice isn't just for the 9-to-5ers; it's for the night owls and early birds - too. Adjust that wake-up time to fit your needs. Night shift? Your “early” might be 2 pm instead of 4 pm. Already up at the crack of dawn? Let's talk about owning those evenings.

 Does the thought of early starts make you cringe? Is it because you go to sleep late? Is it because you haven’t created the habit yet? Reflect on what is stopping you from making the change. If you need help creating new habits, Atomic Habits is an excellent book.

My wake-up journey's been a rollercoaster. High school had me rising at 6 am to catch the bus. Job with a 6 am start? 4 am wake-up call. Crazy, right? Back then, I barely had time to blink. But guess what? I hustled my evenings and got creative during my commute. These days, it's a solid 6 am – unless my mind, body, or cats decide to play the 'rise and shine' game earlier. Life's an adventure, right?

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