“The early bird gets the worm” is the most over-used saying but rarely do people ever consider themselves “a morning person”. So who is really out here getting the worm?
As I get older, staying up all night just to stay up is in no way appeasing to me. I would rather go to sleep. While I don’t have the same 24 hours in a day as Beyoncê, I wanted to find a way to maximize my day. I made the transition from night owl to early bird and this is how.
Wake up EARLY.
Obviously if you want to be an early bird, you have to wake up early. I don’t have to be at work until 7:45am. I started waking up one hour earlier than I would NEED to be up to make it to work on time. So my first alarm goes off at 5:25am. While I do mill around before actually getting up, this extra time is my “me time”. Some mornings I use the entire time to scroll through social media and other mornings, I use this time to get work done. I have found that this hour has helped my performance at work. Since I have already been up, I am less tired and more ready to get the day going. I also feel accomplished when I can say I have completed a personal goal before transitioning into professional work.
Use Bedtime (iOS users)
Every iPhone user has a gem embedded into their devices that will notify them of when it is time to go to bed. This feature has been life changing for me. It has single-handedly stabilized my sleep schedule. You can access this feature from your control center. A simple swipe up, press the alarm icon, and then tap bedtime. You can set the dial for whatever time you like. I do my best when I am well rested and this function has definitely helped with that. I am fully capable of regulating my own sleep schedule without this feature but it truly holds me accountable. 
Limit conversations within the first hour of being awake
I don’t talk to anyone during my first hour of being awake. This could mean not responding to text, email, DMs, anything. It allows the time for me to be with my own thoughts. The first thing I do when I wake up is recite my affirmations. Positive thinking can truly change the outcome of your day. This hour is how I can best control what I put my energy into for the day.
Use a planner
I found a daily planner on Amazon that I absolutely love. While some may use their planner on a day-to-day basis, I use my planner to map out my month. This can include both activities and goals. I use my “me time” mentioned earlier to either plan or accomplish said goals. This is my first year ever using a planner but it really has proven to be effective for seeing and remembering what I have in both the present and future. A planner has been the most effective in pushing me to be productive and maximizing my time in the mornings and throughout the day.
Go to sleep early
With the change of waking up earlier, you’re body is going to already begin to shut down earlier and that is okay! Depending on your industry, there is no real reason you need to be up super late and still be productive. Going to sleep early helps to recharge your mind and body for the next day so you can put forth your best self!
Listen to your body!
Your brain may be most active in the night time and so you are definitely a night owl. Ultimately, listen to what your body tells you. For me, I found that my body responds well to be being up early. I feel more accomplished when I get things done early. We are not the same. What works for me may not work for you and that is okay.
These are just some of the ways I have made the transition to waking up earlier and being more productive.
