4 ms·

I started waking up early (5am) to start work. I typically am done with the important stuff by 11am which frees the rest of the day for things like "not workin

I started waking up early (5am) to start work. I typically am done with the important stuff by 11am which frees the rest of the day for things like "not working at all" "learning something" "experimenting with something". This also means that on the once or twice monthly occasion that I have too much to do, I still get it done by 5 or 6pm at worst instead of working into the late-night hours like I used to. I agree with many of the people here that say understanding the relationship between worker and company is crucial. In the words of Don Draper "That's what the money is for." The mission of the business is not the same as your mission as a person. Giving too much of yourself to an employer is a mistake.

rshurts 8y ago
What time do you go to bed and how much sleep do you need each night? I've been trying to get up earlier, but evenings/nights are still prime time for family, spouse, and "me time." So, starting work at 5am seems out of reach.
tvanantwerp 8y ago
I struggle to wake up early in the winter months in particular. My body resists being up before the sun. Do you have this problem? If so, do you just will yourself through it or is there a better solution?
- JBlue42 8y ago
  I'm not sure about the effectiveness but have heard there are "wake up" lights now that gradually come on. I have a light on a timer that suddenly comes 'on' but don't think this is the best solution. It works but I get more surprised into wakefulness than really liking it. Also, Dan Pink has a new book out about timing with some discussion of the 'stages' of our day. Some people have naturally different stages. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR-NqSpS_cE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR-NqSpS_cE https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/timing-is-everything1/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/timing-is-everyth... -- I'll also second the OP as I'm not what I consider a morning person (when unemployed, more 10a-2a for natural rhythm) but my current job has me getting up around 5:30a. I might be a convert though because, as they said, getting a lot done early is pretty amazing. I like being home by 4 and having a large block of time to do spend however I want. And it translates to weekends too where I find myself up in the world early. I live in LA though so our daylight shifts aren't as drastic in winter as other places.

rshurts 8y ago

What time do you go to bed and how much sleep do you need each night? I've been trying to get up earlier, but evenings/nights are still prime time for family, spouse, and "me time." So, starting work at 5am seems out of reach.

tvanantwerp 8y ago

I struggle to wake up early in the winter months in particular. My body resists being up before the sun. Do you have this problem? If so, do you just will yourself through it or is there a better solution?

JBlue42 8y ago
I'm not sure about the effectiveness but have heard there are "wake up" lights now that gradually come on. I have a light on a timer that suddenly comes 'on' but don't think this is the best solution. It works but I get more surprised into wakefulness than really liking it. Also, Dan Pink has a new book out about timing with some discussion of the 'stages' of our day. Some people have naturally different stages. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR-NqSpS_cE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR-NqSpS_cE https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/timing-is-everything1/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/timing-is-everyth... -- I'll also second the OP as I'm not what I consider a morning person (when unemployed, more 10a-2a for natural rhythm) but my current job has me getting up around 5:30a. I might be a convert though because, as they said, getting a lot done early is pretty amazing. I like being home by 4 and having a large block of time to do spend however I want. And it translates to weekends too where I find myself up in the world early. I live in LA though so our daylight shifts aren't as drastic in winter as other places.