Power of the 5AM routine — how I developed it and how it has helped me so far.
In my previous job at Amazon, I stayed at a walking distance from my office. Usually the time of my first meeting of the day decided my work timings for the day. If my first meeting was at 9:30, I would back-calculate and get up at 7 or so. And if the meeting was at 10, the time to wake up would also vary accordingly. Not only did the time to wake up change, but also the time to sleep. I knew I needed at least 7 hours of sleep. And so, the back calculation further extended in my mind to decide when I should sleep. The second decision variable was the time when my meetings ended the previous night.When in between jobs, there was a period when I just had no time of sleeping and no time of getting up. I usually slept late and ended up missing my morning walks, since by the time I woke, the sun was out.
When I joined Google some time back, I promised myself to be more disciplined. My US trip helped me take the initial plunge when after returning from there, I was jet-lagged and was getting up early and going to bed early as well. My night meetings had not begun, and so I could sleep on time. This was when, I first getting up at 5AM and since then, I have experienced a transformation within.
First, mornings are so calm and serene, that there is a lot of joy implicit. I see the world transform from darkness to light and the feeling fills me with positivity. I feel as if God is speaking to us through the morning serenity. Second, the getting up early routine has made me more regular with my exercise routine. No longer do I missing my morning walk or meditation. This also makes me more relaxed when I choose my food (I don’t worry much, since there is an hour exercise behind). Third, every morning I am leaving early for office which has allowed me to beat the traffic. Lower volume of meetings in the morning has also given me some productive time for longer documentations, self work. It allows me to be able to come home on time in the evenings on most days and hence I am able to spend better time with my mother, before the evening meetings begin. Forth, there is a psychological win everyday when a part of me resists the alarm clock and nudges me to sleep more. A part of me does not want to give up on the blanket and a part of me craves to feel the fresh air. It is a good feeling to be able to control the temptation to sleep, although, I must admit, it is an everyday first thought to skip the morning routine just today and sleep more (especially on mornings which are colder).
I do give myself a break occasionally, to pamper myself. Days when the meetings ended late the previous night or I was simply chatting/reading. I try to also give the break at-least one day of the weekend and compensate the walk and exercise in evenings that day (or sometimes skip it altogether). I feel it is important to be lenient somethings as its a luxury worth enjoying. Recently I was traveling officially, and those days I did not follow the routine. But I ensured I got back to it as soon as I got back.
I try to listen to some book, meditative podcast or simply Bollywood music in my morning walk times. It is a great time for self-discovery for me.
These are early days (50 days of this habit so far). I hope I am able to continue this routine for a long time. (I know Bangalore morning temperatures still allow me, not sure if Delhi extreme winters too will).
P.S. — I also posted this article on my LinkedIn channel.
Do leave your comments if you think this article inspired/touched you in any way. Would love if I can lead more people the 5AM way :)