PETER SHANKMAN

Why You NEED To Get Up Earlier (And How To Do It!)

By now, most of you know that I’m a super-early riser. If you do some homework on the subject, you’ll find that many successful CEOs are, as well. It’s simply ingrained into us – If we want to be successful, we need to be working when others are not. It’s like the classic running quote:

“Somewhere, right now, someone is training while you are not. When you race him, he will win.”

So I get up early because I believe it’s worth it. Here’s some of the benefits you can get from doing it, and as a bonus, here’s how to actually do it!

It's time to wake up...

Top ten reasons to get up early every day:

10) Learn! You can browse seven websites in a row (news, news, gossip, financial, gossip, sports, weather) without being interrupted by one email. You’re now smarter for your entire day.

9) This early, it really IS all about you. You get a few minutes of pure “you” time. For me, it’s waking up and making coffee. While I’m doing that, I can pet Karma and NASA, and not in just a “scratch behind the ears once because I’m late” way. I can sit with them as I drink my first cup of coffee and enjoy the calming effect that a pet has on you. I have no doubt this helps to set my mood for the day.

8) We’re not as big as we think we are. I can watch the sunrise. We take certain things for granted. Light, air, clouds, etc. Get up one morning and actually watch the sky turn from dark to light. It’s amazing. It changes your entire perspective from how big we are to how small we are when you realize that we’re nothing in the universe, just starstuff on a much, much bigger plane. That affects how you think, and changes for the better how you look at things.

7) You’re automatically early. Getting up even a half hour early eliminates the “rush” that comes with leaving the house in the morning. Get up earlier, and you’re calmer. You remember everything you need to take. You walk out without being stressed. This leads to a calmer day. Also, studies have shown that being on time is one thing that good leaders master, as well as demand. Want to be on time? Get up earlier.

6) EAT! Getting up early lets you have breakfast, which, as trite as it sounds, really is the most important meal of the day! Before you go to sleep, set out a bowl, a spoon, and a pot. When you wake up, pour some whole-grain oats and water into said pot and turn on the flame. Make your coffee and pet your cats or watch your sunrise. The oats will be done in 10 minutes. Add some fruit or whatever you like – I’m a fan of just a touch of butter and some salt. Eat your oats, and feel the sustained energy kicking into your system. Throw in two hard boiled egg-whites for protein as a side dish. (One if you don’t exercise.) See my other blog for more tips on better ways to eat fast, but healthy.

5) Speaking of exercise… When I was training for my Ironman, there were days I had to do 100 mile bike rides. Most people get up at 6, and are biking by 6:30. The problem is, that means most people are in the park/on the roads at the same time. I got up at 3am, and was in Central Park by 3:30am. I got to ride for three hours, by myself, with no distractions. I owned Central Park for three hours! Getting up early and exercising, whether at the gym or by yourself, puts you in a very small, yet very powerful group of people. Get up, get it done, and get on with your day. Come on – You know you’re not gonna go to the gym after work, and now you don’t have to!

4) Easier commute! I don’t have a commute, but for years growing up, I did. My parents and I would ride together into the city when I went to high school, and we were always on the road by 6:20am. At 6:20am, we’d be in Manhattan in 10 minutes. If we left even 20 minutes later, at 6:40, the trip would take an hour. Get up early, get to the office, and your commute is done before traffic goes to hell. Easiest commute ever.

3) Be a power player. Be a market maker. Want to know who the real power players are in the business world? Try scheduling 7am breakfasts with them. I’ve been at 7am breakfasts with some of the biggest and most powerful CEOs in the world – Why? Because they know that the demanding schedule they have won’t allow for lunches. What did Gordon Gekko say? “Lunch? Aw come on, Marty. Lunch is for wimps!” He was right. Want to meet with the power-players? Egg-white omelet and coffee at 7am at the Plaza.

2) Do something you “never have the time for.” When do you think I write a lot of these blog posts? When do you think I answer a ton of emails? Review new software? Write my book? Yup. While you’re still sleeping.

1) Change the world. The number one reason to get up super-early? 30 minutes can change the world. Getting up early each day can truly make all the difference in your life. Imagine getting up early and just doing a few of the things listed above. Would you be more productive? Make more money? Reach more people? Get more deals done? I bet you would.

That was the “why.” Here’s the “how.”

Top Six ways to make sure you get up early.

6) DRINK! Keep a giant glass of water by the bed. As soon as the alarm goes off, BEFORE YOU SHUT IT OFF, drink the entire glass of water. Water is the most awesome wake-up tool for your body ever. Drink the water, it opens up brain cells, rejuvenates your eyes, allows you to come out of sleep. Drink water!! (Thanks to Lara Dalch at Dalch Wellness for this tip.)

5) MOVE! Set the alarm clock somewhere you can’t reach it. Get out of bed to shut it off (after you’ve drank your water) and you’re up and mobile.

4) FEED SOMETHING! Get a pet. Seriously. Feed the pet ONE DAMN TIME at 5am, and you’ll never sleep through 5am again for the entire life of the pet. Trust me on this.

3) THERE IS NO TRY. Don’t think, just do. It’s amazing what we can rationalize at 5am. “Oh, I’ll just sleep for an extra hour, then do the treadmill at double the speed for half the time so I can still make it into the office. You know that’s BS, you know you’re not going to, and you know there will be no working out for you today. Don’t think. Just get your ass out of bed. Think later.

2) GET OUT! The Bedroom is for sleeping and sex. Once you’re awake, get your ass out of it. Go to the kitchen for your coffee. Go to the living room or your home office for your computer (see #10 above.) You’ve slept. Now get out of the bedroom.

1) SLEEP! Hands down, the number one way to get up earlier? Get to sleep earlier. I know, I’m blaspheming here. How dare I waste a perfectly good night where I could go out and be a drunken idiot, or go to a boring party? End result, I LIKE going to sleep earlier because I know what it’s going to do for me on the flip-side. I still go out, but I limit it. Remember when you were a kid, and your parents made you go to sleep early on a school-night? There’s a reason for that. Go to sleep earlier. Countless studies have been conducted showing that lack of sleep is hurting us, causing us to lose money, hell, even making us ugly! – Chances are, not sleeping enough is the root of a lot of your problems.

Bonus: Even remotely overweight? Got sinus issues? Always feeling tired? They might be connected. Learn about sleep apnea, and see if you have it. Turns out, I have massive sleep apnea – to the point where it was actually raising my blood pressure. Losing weight is the best thing you can do for it, but there’s a host of other things you might want to check out.

  • http://willworkforfree.wordpress.com Elizabeth

    This is the second blog post I’ve read today that talks about waking up early! (The first one is: http://socialnicole.com/waking.....ductivity/ from Nicole Harrison.) I especially love the third reason for why. I never thought a 7 a.m. meeting was even possible…that’s actually pretty badass.

    I’m still in college, so the late nights doing work happen. But by volunteering on days I don’t have class, I’m forced to wake up early. It keeps me on a good schedule. I think I’ll try to take on this awesome habit.

    Great post!

  • http://www.thismomentisallwehave.com DM Cook

    Fantastic post, and really inspiring (and I don’t just say that)!

    I really like the glass of water trick and will try it tomorrow morning. I’m not so much “against” early rising as I am “for” late nights– something about my brain seems to just kick into high gear around this time of night (10:15) and rev like crazy until maybe 3-4-5 AM. And that happens irrespective of the amount of sleep I’ve gotten, or when my alarm is set for. But I do get a massive amount more done when I wake up early. The idea that most CEOs do it is really telling.

    … I still hate breakfast food though. :)

    Anyway, thanks so much for this and for posting to Twitter– I wouldn’t have found you otherwise!

  • http://www.facebook.com/mjjewell Mark Jewell

    Peter – thanks for this post. I read it a few days back, and I’m revisiting it this morning as a point of reference. I’ve long been an early riser – but also been in a kind of funk the past few months. Anyone could use this as a great little checklist for having productive mornings when waking early! Good advice man!

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  • Jelena

    Hi,
    Thx for stimulated post:)
    Most of the time i drink jus ,but water…Good idea:)
    I am night person, ideas just run true my head then…but I do wake up early , because of the children and work…sometimes I go to run also. The early morning is just a great time of silence ,when you mind can wake up right way
    Lucky me I have enough energy to do it:)
    Anyway the breakfast is very important,but the chocolate..give a energy also-I just love it.And i cannot start a day without coffee:)
    In Serbia they say: “Ko rano rani,dve srece grabi”-Early bird gets the worm.
    Thx
    Jelena

  • http://www.jenniferlmacdonald.com Jennifer MacDonald

    Thank you for this post. As someone who can never get out of bed in the morning this is great motivation, and tips to help me execute the plan.

  • http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/smart-people-sleep-late-82486792.html Pro

    Everyone is different. Unfortunately people who don’t function well in the morning get a bad wrap. Some people are not wired to wake up at 5am and be productive. Personally, if I get up at 5am, I am ready for bed at 2pm, so I can wake up sometime in the evening, work like mad all night, fall asleep in the morning- and somehow I am back to the schedule that works best for me- the one that allows me to be more productive.

    The times where I’ve been “forced” to wake up early for an extended period of time (3-4 months), I’ve been groggy, slow, and cranky. I have not been more productive nor did I get used to it. You bet as soon as I could get back to my natural patterns I jumped right on it.

    So if you are wired to get up early and be happy- congratulations- corporate America favors you and likely very cooperative and persistent. But don’t fool yourself into believing your way is the only way.

    To my fellow night owls- don’t lose heart, you are not lazy. You are likely have a higher IQ and are more creative.

  • Tavleen

    When do you sleep :O

    …I love sleeping!…

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  • http://roborr.net Rob

    Absolutely outstanding article. I love being up early and hate it on days when I get out of bed late.

  • http://www.purenaturaldiva.com Tania aka Pure Natural Diva

    I spent my entire twenties trying to do this… I no longer do.
    I now work later. So while you sleep – I get my jump on the day… send out what needs to go out first thing. Then I rest and I set out after the AM rush.
    When I need to be up and there – I’ll be there – but if I need to get ahead of the pack I’m grateful for living on the west coast – my 2 am email arrives at 5 am. Perfect.
    Might not work for everyone, but after years of fighting it – I know it works for me.

  • EricDobson

    You obviously have no school aged children, no longer have them, or you hand off their care to someone else. Your post would have been more enlightening if you had taken this factor into consideration, and wouldn’t have perpetuated the idea that success is for people without kids, with a spouse at home, for post-midlifers or those with enough income to hire a nanny!

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  • Rachael Taylor

    Loved it. I was raised by two people who believed that not only do tvs not belong in bedrooms but that they were also off limits to children (I never really saw the inside of my parents except on the very rare occasion my mother and I were both sick with the stomach flu). As a young newlywed fresh out of college I instilled this rule in my own marriage and couldn’t agree more with the happiness it has brought my husband and I (although that’s not to say we’re not guilty of staying up late and watching tv, we just don’t do it from our bed).

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  • Kate

    Funny, I stay up late and work late and I feel the same way about many of the things on your list!

  • http://successrefresh.com Leesa Barnes

    EricDobson, read The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working by Tony Schwatz who not only concurs with what Peter listed in his Top 10 above, but also primarily works with executives who are married with children. Schwartz’s strategies on how to wake up earlier, free up your time and still be productive at work without burning out is advice anyone can use – whether you’re married or not.

    Before being so critical about someone else’s lifestyle, first seek to understand the intent behind the advice. The intent of Peter’s post is to encourage you to wake up earlier. Peter’s advice isn’t a blueprint. No one is holding a gun to your head. Instead, take the advice, adapt to your own situation, then come back and let us all know how it all works out.

    Geez!

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  • http://www.dottyandthedice.com Cherylanne

    Loved the tip about the glass of water… it seems to make the difference for me….

  • http://www.dottyandthedice.com Cherylanne

    Love the tip about the glass of water… it seems to make the difference for me!

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  • http://craig42k.com Craig Barrett

    Thank you, Peter. Huh. I read this post in January, but when I read it just now, it seems I missed some points. Specifically, the “how”. I bet I read it then and said, “Right, I agree. Get up earlier.” And moved on.

    I *like* the idea of drinking the big glass of water before turning off the alarm. I tend to cramp during racing, I’m sure this will certainly help. I’m also having problems with consistentcy in my workouts. I *know* what I *need* to do, but I’m clearly averting the obvious.

  • http://www.mrshadeed.com Shadeed Q. Eleazer

    Excellent article, Shankman. I believe that those people who succeed at the level they desire must break the cozy relationship they maintain towards ‘a good night’s sleep’. The top notch performers of the world are up early working on new ways to stay on top, it’s that simple. I also like the tips you provided at the end of the post, especially the glass of water idea, which I will implement into my routine.
    I will recommend this article to my network.

  • http://www.squirrelhead.com Squirrelhead

    I have never heard that drinking a glass of water when your alarm goes off would help you wake up. I will have to try this out tomorrow. I am working on getting myself up early so that I can knock out some workouts.

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  • http://www.scoutandzoes.com Cindy Dunston Quirk

    Once again Peter, you are right on point. When I get up extra early, I do get more accomplished and am more relaxed throughout the day.

  • http://Weeksnetworks.com Bracken Fields

    Thank you for reposting this, I took all of your advice and I feel like a rockstar this morning. The glass of water by the alarm clock is genius.

    Thanks again,

    Bracken Fields

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  • Alexa

    This post was so inspirational that I’ve been getting up early every day this week to either a) exercise, b) learn, or c) get things done without distractions. I will continue to do this.

    Also, I took your advice about drinking water when I wake up and placing my alarm clock in a place where I have to get out of bed. It’s really nice not having to rush as well.

    Thanks!

  • Courtney Holloway

    I have no problem getting up early but my husband does. He is a night owel. I just want to know how to get him to start going to bed early and getting up early!

  • http://mommyads.us Maytal

    Love it. No excuses anymore. It feels great everytime to wake up early. Everything is so calm and relaxing.

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  • http://about.me/louisethompson Louise Thompson

    Peter, love this post. I now do bootcamp at 6:00am 3-4 days a week and even though it’s hell getting up at 5:00am, in the dark and cold, there is NO better feeling than that 7:00am cup of coffee and the endorphin rush that comes from having worked your ass (quite literally) off. And you know that it’s done for the day. No excuses needed.

  • http://elliepie.com Eleanor

    I also drink water before I go to bed – it can help you wake up by compelling you to run to the bathroom, too. :)

  • http://websiteurl Marje Bennetts

    Thanks Peter and Great Advice — for the New Year and Always. Appreciate you always wiling to share your wisdom, your success and your faults — all for our benefit. Best, MB

  • RON IANNACONE

    excellent, thanks for a great post

  • http://websiteurl Linda Panikowski

    You got an honest-to-goodness LOL from me on #4 of “how”. :)

  • http://www.charmingtheline.com kim mack

    Thanks for the post. Ever since I was a kid it has been early to bed; early to rise. Early morning is my favorite time of the day. I cuddled up with my dog & give her all the attention she deserves b4 everyone else puts their claims on my time.

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  • http://www.paulbradish.com Paul

    Great post. I’ve been trying to get on a better sleeping schedule again lately and you have some good tips here. When I am up extra early, it seems my work day goes so much smoother.

  • http://dallasmarketingcompany.com Dallas Marketing

    If only I could’ve applies your list into my daily regimen when I was in college. It would’ve really helped me out. But its never too late to start!

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  • http://websiteurl david

    seriously, how do you guys with kids, long work days, exercise routines, etc get to bed by 9, 10, 10:30 pm?? if i could figure that out, i would love to wake up an hour so earlier than my current 6am wake up.

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  • http://www.bruner.net Rick Bruner
  • Violet

    You offer some very helpful tips for those who want what the morning world has to offer, and for those who look up to CEOs and want to emulate their behavior. I, on the other hand, after struggling against my night owl nature for years, finally decided to go with what feels right for me. Getting up before 11am is unheard of for me, but 11 is perfectly sufficient for healthy eating, errand running, exercise, phone calls, etc., but, I also don’t work a 9-5 job. I’m a successful musician (not a millionaire, but able to pay my bills, travel, go out to eat when I want, and save money), and every song I’ve ever written has come to me in the middle of the night. I also have the advantage of being able to promote and send out emails whenever I want, so I do much of my work at night. I’m not sure what it is about the creative mind, but every artist I know creates in the wee hours of the morning. So while you were riding through Central Park at 3:30, I was likely writing a song that is now being performed to my audiences. If I’d listened to all the advice on waking early and all the dreaded judgment about sleeping in, I may never have created the music that I have. I understand that what you’re offering is assistance to those who want to learn how to get up earlier–and that’s great. I just wish our culture also supported night owls more & that there were more columns on how to be a successful night owl. I’ve found a way to do it, so, night owls, don’t be discouraged if you find that after years of trying, you still can’t seem to adjust to being up über early or pop right out of bed bright-eyed and bushy-tailed–it might just mean that you need to find a career that is better suited to your sleep/creative needs.

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  • phyl

    Very helpful. Thanks. You got a full belly laugh out of me with tip number 4. Yep, just ONE time. That’s all it takes.

  • http://www.edgeweddingmagazine.com Anne – Marie

    Right, that’s it, tomorrow I shall be up at 3.30am, I shall probably be tired all day but at least I shall fall asleep early tomorrow evening ready for my new routine. Cant wait to view the sunrise.

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  • http://howtowakeupearlytips.com Blair @ How to Wake Up Early

    Great tips! Very helpful and motivational. Actually it’s funny because a lot of these are things I tell myself to help me wake up early as well. We also have a rooster, so that helps, especially when he decides to crow right outside our window. :)

  • http://www.laminat-parchet.ro/ Alina

    I believe is matter of how much you make in one day, not the time of get up! I get up around 10 a.m. and until 5 p.m. i make 500 – 800 dollars per day because it’s a same thing if you work late, i work until 2 or 3 a.m. because it’s lot of silence!

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  • http://twitter.com/JennMorandi Jennifer Morandi

    I read this post when it was new – or at least when it was newish – and filed it away in my brain as something to remember. I think of your “Top 6 ways to make sure you get up early” regularly and that I have put several into practice as I’ve recently begun a morning exercise routine.
    Thanks for the inspiration!
    Jenn

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  • http://twitter.com/trutter Troy Rutter

    Definitely agree! (Found this post again today after you posted it to FB.) When the weather was nice, I was a 4am walker around a certain path in town. Really helped being alone with my thoughts while getting some kinetic workout. Today, I was up at 3:45 to hit the gym at 4, so I can concentrate on what I want to accomplish without others being around talking, etc.

    I could get up at 5 and do the same thing, but the extra time to let things wake up and start the mind working is extremely valuable.

  • Lindsey

    I haven’t ever really been a ‘morning’ person – but I agree with you Peter. Those early mornings are great. I used to run in the morning and watching the world come alive is great. I loved running early in the morning and then starting my day – because I already felt like I accomplished A LOT. It was a beautiful thing.

    But then my little miracle happened – and now my morning runs and ‘me morning time’ have disappeared. Insert a new baby who still isn’t sleeping through the night and who stays up until 9:30-10pm. And after he goes to sleep, I run around like a mad woman getting everything cleaned up and ready for the next day. So, while getting up early is great in theory – it is all I can do to get up at all. I’ve been running off of only 4-5 hours of sleep for almost a year now.

    So any suggestions for the moms and dads out there who are running off of a minimum amount of sleep and have a hard time waking up early? Because the early motivation I once had has now gone away. And for those parents who can still muster up that motivation early in the morning: Seriously. You are my hero. Any tips? :)

  • Adrian Miller

    I’m up at 5AM and LOVE my morning time when I KNOW there will be fewer emails and no calls and the world still seems serene:)

  • http://www.obsessedwithconformity.com Jim Mitchem

    I have always done the opposite, where I’m working late while others are sleeping or partying. But at my age I’m not into saying up until 2 to work, to say nothing of what *that* does on the flip side in the morning. So I may well integrate a routine to get up earlier. Thanks for the recommendations, Peter.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jim.joseph.14 Jim Joseph

    As a fellow early-riser (4:30am), I can relate to your entire perspective, and also really appreciate the tips. All the best to you for 2013. JIM

  • http://twitter.com/Kubalski Agatha Kubalski

    I love all the subtle effects a pet can have on you….my cat definitely gets me out of bed for feeding time, and morning cuddle time does help put me in a good mood.

  • http://mom-101.com/ LGumbinner

    A lot of great info in here Peter, and I agree with much of it. But please keep in mind that not all of us masters (or mistresses) of the universe are single, without children, living alone with only pets. “Feeding something,” like say a hungry baby who wakes up at 5:30 means the morning is no longer yours. And as much as I love getting into the office early, these days my commute can’t start until the kids are safely in school.

    After that, let the world-changing begin!

  • CEOParent

    So you say get up and pet your animals, what about kids. My daughter is the best to cuddle with in the morning. I stopped my 6:30 am workouts and decided to cuddle with my daughter instead, we have breakfast and I walk her to school nearly every day. I get work outs in later and have a much better relationship with her. I own and run 2 companies and do triathlons too. I do long for that nice quiet time to work out, but for now I choose my daughter, she’s 8 and I know it won’t last forever. Every once in a while I take a morning meeting and I’m sure my companies could be doing better if I did spend that time working. Any big bad CEO’s choose their children in the morning?

  • rebecca smith

    I highly recommend anyone curious about night owls versus early birds and sleep in general to read the book “Internal Time” — we really are hard wired to be most alert and physically capable at different times of the day, and it is wildly different among individuals. For some, the early morning is a time of regeneration and productivity. For others, it is a time of lows across the board.

  • nerdygirlfromjersey

    I love that you added “how” here for people. And while it is true that folks w/ kids (and especially babies) will find this more challenging, there are still a whole lot of other folks that will be able to pull it off. I love the mornings for the quiet, the peace, and the amount I can get done in such a short time (with no interruptions! bliss!). I drink my coffee. I watch sunrises. Not only watch them, but when you do it long enough, you start to notice the differences in the sunrise, based on the season, and the weather. And you start to appreciate it all more. Really.

  • katherine webb

    you have some good ideas here, thanks!

  • YesGrrrl

    I was attracted to the headline, but you lost me at getting up at 3am for your exercise program. To “beat the crowd,” huh? That is pure CRAZYTOWNS. It sounds like you’re on coke.

  • YesGrrrl

    I was attracted to the headline, but you lost me at getting up at 3am for your exercise program. To “beat the crowd,” huh? That is pure CRAZYTOWNS. It sounds like you’re on coke.

  • Sue

    I never feel like there is enough time in the day to get everything done. I was inspired after reading your post. I thought in order to be successful I would start off slowly, waking up 15 minutes earlier than usual. I have to say its been a week and I can’t believe how much I’m able to accomplish with the extra 15 minutes added to my day . Feels good might graduate to 30 minutes soon. Yes, my 2 dogs are loving it too!

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  • light

    I think you’re doing the right thing. lots of families don’t have that, and i’m sure you’re daughter loves you very much

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