We’ve all heard the Benjamin Franklin quote:
“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
Does it really?
In my experience as an entrepreneur, father, and life coach for over a decade, my answer is “Yes, definitely.” I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have an “early to rise” habit.
If you’re a night owl and need a bit of motivation to start going to bed earlier, then perhaps my experiences will give you a glimpse of what’s in store for you.
#1: HEALTHY: No Time For TV
I used to be a night owl. I watched TV, ate chips, and drank beer into the wee hours of the night, nearly every night.
Needless to say, I was a sad, unhealthy excuse of a man.
Then I studied the lifestyles of the great entrepreneurs and visionaries of past and present. And I learned that most of them had the exact same habit of getting up at 3 in the morning (or thereabouts).
That was the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, so I forced myself to adopt that habit. It was gut-wrenching, but I got it down after a few months.
These days, after dinner, I’m usually too tired to watch any TV. I look back at the full day I’ve had behind me, and I feel accomplished every single night. So I reward myself by dropping into bed and sleeping like a log.
#2: WEALTHY: Done Before The World Has Even Started
After getting about six hours of sleep, I wake up refreshed around 3 a.m. I say my prayers and do my daily reading, then I force myself through 15 minutes of bodyweight exercise.
After a shower and a good breakfast, I start the day’s work with a full mug of coffee beside me. This is usually around 4 a.m. By 8 a.m, I take another coffee break . . . but by then, I’ve done most of the important work I needed to do that day.
I’m basically done with my workday before I check my e-mail and voice mail. The rest of the day is pretty chill by comparison – meetings, administration, some marketing, etc. Thanks to my “early to rise” habit, it’s been a long time since I last felt pressured by a deadline.
#3: WISE: More Time With The People Who Matter
I do about four hours of work in the early hours of the morning. These four hours offset into the afternoon, which I can then use to spend more time with my son, or my friends, or my staff. Sometimes I reward myself with another workout, or do some more work if I feel like it.
It’s a real treat.
All-in-all, I’m awake for the same 18 hours that most other men have.
But I get so much more done.
Benjamin Franklin figured it out hundreds of years ago.
I think it’s time we learned his lesson all over again.
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Photo: Pexels