While it’s true that the concept of the “early bird catches the worm” has been ingrained in us from a young age, it wasn’t until I stumbled upon Robin Sharma’s 5 AM Club that I truly understood the adage and why it works beautifully for so many. For me though, “It almost works the way Robin says it should!”
As someone always looking to optimize my life, the idea of starting my day at 5 AM with a structured routine was both intriguing and remains daunting. I know for a fact that the hours of 4:00-8:00 AM are a window for me in a psychic sense. In general, this is one of those times of day when I’m most intuitive, more focused, creative, as well as relaxed. These are excellent hours for a Silva Grad like me to put some of Jose Silva’s tools to work, them being modified to meet my own needs.
However, after reading the 5 AM club, when I decided to give Sharma’s 20-20-20 formula a try (20 minutes of exercise, 20 minutes of planning, and 20 minutes of learning) it sounded simple enough. But for me, “It’s not quite that easy!” But, who doesn’t want a more productive day , “Right?”
So, for a few weeks, I started with exercise, which involves spinning. For the first two weeks it did seem to wake me up. And… Yeah… The subsequent planning sessions each morning allowed me to approach my day with intention, and the learning phase seemed to clear my mind in a way before the sun even rose. But it all started to go to hell by the beginning of week three and I couldn’t understand why. Then there was therapy and, “It all began to make sense!”
So, while I still get up early when I feel I can within reason, I don’t adhere to Robin’s formula as he presents it in his book. “It just doesn’t work for me like that!”
It’s not because the science is wrong. It’s because my biology isn’t what the science is based on. The principles and concepts presented in the 5 AM Club will work well for someone who has a normally functioning parasympathetic system. But… for me? Well… “It’s a framework that needs serious modifications!”
Lately, I’ve been getting up when I can no longer sleep and crashing at some point during the day when I really feel the need to. Do I meditate in the early morning hours? “Hell Yeah!” Do I plan in the early morning hours? “You bet your ass!”
But, As I work to manage my new normal in dealing with a depression that, to me, is clearly partially a result of biology, I find that it’s just better to rise and let intuition run the show from there. Some days I exercise lightly first thing. Some days I don’t.
Some days I just sit and listen to music or read a book while drinking coffee as a way to start my day. And… Because I’ve turned off my alarm… “I don’t beat myself up if I don’t rise around 5:00 AM at all!”