When I was about 54 years old, I examined my lifestyle and habits and decided I needed to make some changes. From diet and exercise to daily structure, I discovered I needed to use and allocate my time more wisely.
As part of the transition to maintain a healthier lifestyle, I realized I needed to begin running. I had adjusted my nutritional balance by changing the foods I was eating. As a result, I started to feel better about myself and noticed I had more energy.
Oddly enough, I also developed the desire to run. I’ve never really liked running, but it would help me maintain the weight level that I wanted. So, I started to go through the very, very uncomfortable process of becoming a runner.
I started by walking. As my legs got stronger, and my heart adapted to more vigorous exercise, I started to walk faster. Then, I started to run a little bit. Through this gradual process I started to build up more energy. These were small steps. I wasn’t going from zero exercise to running marathons. My body wouldn’t allow that. But I was consistent with my baby steps.
I’ve learned several things in life that are true. No matter what you’re doing, no matter what you’re engaged in, discipline and consistency are key to your success. If you will discipline yourself to get up and go for that walk/run, consistently, you will find success. This type of discipline and consistency require doing it no matter what, no excuses. No matter if it’s raining or you’re super busy, being disciplined enough to maintain strict consistency will result in great success because it will become a habit.
I decided that I would start to run. Then, I decided I was going to manage my time more efficiently. I started to get up very early in the morning; I wanted to wake up before anyone else did. Why? Because there’s value in early morning.
Early mornings are great for studying, exercising and clarity of thought because it’s quiet. No one is bothering you, your phone is not blowing up, your emails aren’t pouring into your email folder, and you have time to think. It’s very, very quiet.
It’s a great time for reflection, meditation, and if you really want to get a lot of things done.
I started to get up very, very early in the morning to run. At first, I didn’t run a long way, but I felt good. After I got back, the day had just begun, and I had created this momentum in my day because I had started off with something very positive. I felt like every time I did this, I was just putting another tally in that win column.
The physical aspect of getting up and running was having a very real and very positive effect on my mental state. I was glad I was doing something good for my body and that positivity just led from one good thing to the next. I continued to win throughout the day.
I would get up early in the morning even on the days I wasn’t running. On those days, I would start to write a book, something I had always wanted to do. I continued to add to that work that I had procrastinated or put off for so long because I didn’t have enough time. Well, I had time, but it just wasn’t a priority for me.
When I made writing a priority because it was something I wanted to do, then I made time for it and ensured it did not conflict with anything else on my schedule. I got up early in the morning, and I focused on that.
I discovered that the power of the early morning is huge. You’re able to accomplish so much with the clarity in your mind. That is so valuable!
If you’re a college student, don’t study the night before. Study the morning of a test. Get a good night’s sleep and wake up early to study. That information will be fresh, you will be fresh, and you’ll be able to go in and do well on that test if you’ve studied and prepared.
As time went on, I started to get up at 3:30 in the morning to run 12 miles three times a week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. My off days allowed me to rebuild and recover from the run. I was basically running three half-marathons a week.
Rain or shine, I would wake up at 3:30am. I didn’t even need an alarm clock because my body was like an auto alarm clock, waking me up at the right time each day. It didn’t matter what the weather was, or what was going on, or even what time I got to bed the night before. I would always use consistency and discipline to just get up and get it done. I would get home at 5:30am, shower, rest for an hour or so, then I’d start my day.
I started my day having accomplished something that most people don’t even accomplish their whole life. Early morning runs, when my mind was clear, allowed me to think about the day’s activities and what I needed to accomplish. I had created this positive momentum that allowed me to move forward in my day and do much more than I would normally have done. Because my mindset had changed. It was all because of the power of early morning.
Remember, success is never an accident!
