Does Waking Up Early Help With Productivity? with Jeff Sanders of The 5 AM Miracle
In early 2023, I talked about financial seasons and how I’ve witnessed several Financial Gym clients and, honestly, myself, feel as though we’re not in what feels like a winning season and the motivation challenges when we feel like that. Seasons change, though, and I’m sensing more energy from my clients. I feel it in myself to make changes, so I’m dedicating the month of April on this podcast to motivation and change.
Today I’m addressing the topic of productivity. I feel like the pandemic threw a number of our routines out the window, and where we may have gained time with less commuting and more work-from-home options, I think a number of us have struggled with finding a good balance between life and work. Joining me today is Jeff Sanders, author and host of the 5 AM Miracle Podcast, to talk about the one small change he made in his day that literally changed the trajectory of his life.
What are we drinking?
Jeff - Coffee and Water
Shannon - Black Cherry Schweppes
Podcast Notes
How did you start waking up at 5 AM?
Most of our time is spent doing what we have to do, and finding time for other things can be challenging.
He didn't like going to work at 9 AM feeling tired, grumpy, and groggy. He signed up for a marathon for the first time as a motivator. It forced him to figure out how to balance his job, side business, and training.
He started waking up at 5:00 AM to train, which felt great. There was a magical spark for him in the morning, leading to new ways of imagining the day.
Jeff enjoyed getting up at 5:00 AM, but it's not technically about when you wake up. It's about getting up to do something you care about.
Finding your 'why' is the most important thing. You shouldn't get out of bed at 5 AM because someone on the internet told you to. You have to be excited about the thing when the alarm goes off. Once your why is clear, finding the time to prioritize becomes clear too.
Your why will shift and change with different life seasons. It's okay if you're in a spot where you're not sure what the why is. Start trying new things and find tangible goals to give yourself. Something like a race, hobby, or project.
How did the pandemic change things?
During the pandemic, he became very reactive in an out-of-character way. There was a loss of control and mental health struggles.
Everyone experienced a dramatic shift and is now trying to navigate how we allocate our time.
Think about your ideal schedule. Make the first priority of the day the thing that is important to do. Our schedules all shifted with the pandemic, so be intentional with the new time.
Remember that taking care of yourself is important. You can take care of others better when you’re taking care of yourself.
When you do find the thing that excites you, find supporters and community. Being with a group can bring amazing energy to an activity or hobby.
How can you find your ‘why’ if you’re feeling unmotivated?
If you’re stuck, stop asking the ‘Big Why’ and start asking, ‘What do I enjoy doing right now?’
Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. In his 20s, Jeff became a vegan, launched a business, and tried many things to figure out what he liked. You have to just do a lot of stuff.
Clear time in your day for the things you enjoy. It doesn’t have to be 5 AM, but you should schedule it on the calendar to ensure it’s blocked and you'll keep the appointment.
Resources Mentioned:
Takeaway: My biggest takeaway is the importance of looking at your life and your time and how you’re spending it. I don’t think we take enough time, until we unfortunately break down to make these changes. Let’s try to implement better plans before we lose control of our days
Random Three Questions
If you weren’t podcasting, what would you be doing?
What is something you’re currently binging?
If you were given $50,000 for travel, where would you go?
Connect with Guest
Website: https://www.jeffsanders.com/
The 5 AM Miracle Podcast: https://www.jeffsanders.com/podcast/
The 5 AM Miracle Book: https://amzn.to/3x8YPEq
If you have any topics you would like me to cover on this podcast, or if you’d like to get in the financially naked hot seat, I encourage you to email me at Shannon@fingyms.com, or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group, and let me know what you want to hear.
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