What Makes for a Good Morning?

As a morning person, I’ve always embraced Benjamin Franklin’s “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise” philosophy. It makes sense that if you’re going to get up early, you should go to bed early so you get 6-8 hours’ sleep. When I was younger, I would consistently sleep 8.5 hours if given the opportunity. Nowadays, I wake up at 4 am and rarely sleep more than 6 hours. It doesn’t matter what time I go to bed. Sometimes, the early awakening is lovely – I get up and write. On other days, it’s just annoying.

A 4 am Wake-up Call!

In summer, this behavior helps with getting outside in the coolish hours, then back inside when the temperatures reach uncomfortable by 9 am.

Articles have been written about senior’s, or more mature people’s, propensity for early arising as they age. They conclude to embrace it and use the early start time to accomplish your daily tasks. What is more important is a consistent sleep routine. So, if I’m going to wake up at 4 am, I should go to bed around 8 pm or 10 pm at the latest.

When my mother lived with me, I did embrace being productive at 4 am. I had an agreement with Mom that she could get up at 6 am. I would make her breakfast and get her ready for her day before heading off to work. I did my best writing from 4 – 6 am. I would sit at my writing desk looking out the front window with only the light of my laptop. Knowing I had a limited time, I was focused and, consequently, productive. Don’t Call Me Turtle was completed during this period. When mom passed, my writing habits deteriorated.

Recently, I received an unsolicited email describing that waking up at 4 am can lead to a fortune. I was intrigued. Maybe fame and fortune were only a wake-up time away! The story described how many billionaires are early risers – however, many get up at the more acceptable 7 am. 

According to the article, when you rise at 4 am, your brain is between states, allowing profound learning and increased awareness. Hey, that’s what I need to write my science-based books and to make them rhyme. I could focus, but I’m unsure I received tranquil clarity, as promised.

The article claims that it takes a conscious choice to embrace the 4 am routine. I don’t make a conscious effort, but my brain seems to. I don’t need an alarm clock to wake me; that happens naturally… no matter what time I go to bed. I like writing during this early time. I feel I can focus on my writing while having enough time later in the morning to finish my non-writing chores.

Advantages of getting up at 4 am:

• Enhanced productivity. I am focused on my writing, which I enjoy.
• Personal growth. This is supposed to be exercise, meditation, or reading. Sitting at my desk isn’t exercising, but contemplating upon my writing could be meditative and involves reading.
• Improved time management. I get quality writing accomplished, making me happy and productive while still having time to get my chores done and remaining motivated. I am a morning person.
• Achieving a psychological edge. I like this one. I feel superior knowing I accomplished so much before most people were up. Of course, most of my neighbors are up at 4 am in the summer, but I don’t let that diminish my self-congratulations.

Well, I’m off to bed – I might want to wake up early. I doubt that being productive at 4 am will make me successful, but as long as I’m up, I might as well try!