Early to Bed, Early to Rise (For Some)
You hear it all the time. The most successful people get up before the sun. Richard Branson, Jack Dorsey, and plenty of others swear by their 5am routines. And yeah, for some people, getting up early does make a difference. It gives them a quiet head start, time to think, time to plan, maybe even time to exercise or just drink a coffee in peace before the world starts shouting. But that doesn’t mean it works for everyone. Some people are just not wired that way, and that’s fine. Not everybody does their best thinking at sunrise. If dragging yourself out of bed before you’re ready makes you feel awful, it’s probably not doing much for your productivity either. What actually matters is getting enough sleep and figuring out when you feel most switched on. For some, that’s morning but for others it’s a but later on, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Being up early can definitely help if your mornings are always rushed or you just want a bit of breathing space before the chaos kicks in. But if you’re not a morning person, don’t force it just because someone else is. There’s more than one way to be motivated, and more than one way to get things done.
Get Creative With Alarms
Make your alarm less of a thing of dread to get you more eager to get out of bed. Smartphone apps like Sleep Cycle can measure your sleep data and wake you up within an hour period during your least deepest sleep point. Making your alarm less aggressive (such as birdsong) may also make waking up feel like less of an unpleasant experience too. Thanks to smart technology, you could program a curtain rail to open your curtains automatically twenty minutes before your alarm, the light can help you to wake up naturally. Or buy an alarm which uses light- as this sends a strong 'wake up' message to the brain even when you're fast asleep.
Exercise Your Body and Mind
Getting your body moving in the morning isn’t about chasing a workout high, most of us would probably struggle with a gym session or run before work (if you can achieve this then that's obviously incredible- go for it!) But for the rest of us its more about waking up your brain, it’s about shaking off that mental fog, not chasing fitness goals before sunrise. One simple rule that helps: move before you check your phone. Doesn’t matter what it is, walk around the flat, stretch your arms, make your bed with a bit more intention. Let your brain start with physical action, not passive scrolling. You're not trying to be perfect, just nudging yourself into gear. The real trick to productive mornings isn’t discipline or motivation. It’s just reducing friction and giving your body the first vote. Your brain usually follows.
Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day
There’s no denying the importance of a hearty breakfast but the last thing you probably feel like doing is cooking or preparing something when you're still half asleep. So planning ahead and prepping really is the way forward, a bit of time spent on Sunday can set you up for breakfasts for the full working week ahead. Homemade protein packed oat bars with nuts, dried fruit and protein powder can be perfect for the days you just want to grab something quick. You could make mini egg muffins with veggies and keep them in a Tupperware in the fridge if you want something savoury. You could chop and divide up fruit and freeze them in individual bags, that way all you need to do in the morning is empty one into the blender with a splash of yoghurt or milk. A good meal first thing in the morning can not only fuel you for the day but psychologically make you feel more positive. Buying a proper coffee machine to replace your cup of instant coffee can give you the nice coffee shop experience right from your home every breakfast time too and save you time and money compared with popping in Costa every day.
Make Use of Your Commute
Commuting can be a tedious and soul-destroying part of the day, although can be used to be productive. This is particularly the case with train commutes in which you may be able to get through a good chunk of morning emails on your phone or tablet. Alternatively, this can be a great time to simply plan the day ahead and structure it all out. Getting to work and having your day set out can keep you in control and reduce chaos and stress.
