4a.m. vs 9a.m.
Each individual has their own unique circumstances that contribute to ones lifestyle and daily decisions (e.g., a nurse working the night shift has to sleep during the day, a new parent who was up all night with a newborn baby may have to take a nap, etc.) An individual should find a routine that works best for them, however “winning the morning” is associated with highly effective performance.
Today I woke up at 4 a.m. My friend who shares the same profession woke up at 9 a.m. This is a difference of 5 hours. During that time I was very productive and able to work efficiently with minimal distractions.
Tonight I will go to sleep at 8:30 p.m. If my friend wishes to match my waking hours, he must go to bed at 1:30 a.m and if he wants to match my productivity he needs to ask himself the question: Am I being as productive from 8:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. as Coach Nelson is from 4:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.
If the answer is yes, then good for him. To each his own.
However it is likely that during the hours of 8:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. he will spend some time relaxing in the form of watching television, scrolling through his phone or even sleeping. If he is working it is likely his body will be fatigued from the day and not be as productive compared to a fresh body who just started the day.
I do not pretend to have all the answers but rather humbly suggest “winning the morning” as a strategy that I believe offers you the best chance to become the the best version of yourself.
Coach Nelson serves as a high school football coach who is pursuing his doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology. He has worked for a division 1 athletic department, professional sport franchises, a Fortune 100 Company and has won numerous awards for his LEADership abilities.
His mission is to positively influence the world through Love, Effort, Attitude and Discipline (#LEAD). To learn more about the LEAD philosophy follow him on Twitter Levi Nelson or reach out via email at rln10@zips.uakron.edu He’d love to learn about or help you in your journey!
