This week I was contemplating joining the 5AMclub – the go getters who deliberately kickstart the day at 5AM to get the early-bird advantages.

There is a whole book written on waking up early. The 5 AM Club is a self-help and personal development book that guides readers on how to lead more balanced and successful lives.

According to the author, Robin Sharma, a Canadian self-help writer and leadership expert, your brain is most calm, focused, and productive when you wake up. Beginning your day early and with an hour to yourself helps you start off on the right foot to enjoy a more energized and productive day.

Below is an excerpt on some of the benefits of waking up ahead of others.

1. Better performance: Human beings have a finite amount of self-control and focus. As the day goes on, you naturally put in less effort. Your mood shifts, tasks seem more difficult, and you feel fatigued. Kickstarting your day early and riding the productivity wave can ensure you devote your concentration to the most important tasks early on and complete more before you tap out.

2. Improved sleep: People who wake up early tend to hit the hay earlier and get more sleep. And better sleep usually translates to more energy and an improved mood.

3. Reduced stress: Exercise typically lowers stress levels. If it is the first thing you do in the morning, you start your day feeling good. Plus, heading to work before rush hour traffic hits reduces stress and lets you enjoy your morning commute.

4. More proactiveness: Studies show that morning people tend to be more proactive. That bedtime planning and thoughtful morning routine translate into better discipline and stronger habits for the rest of your day.

After reading a portion of the popular book, I decided to try it myself and see if 5AM was effective before recommending it. The first day I had to befriend coffee which is normally not an ally. I had discarded the discipline that we observed back in school when burning the midnight oil.

I read a lot about the Lord Jesus Christ who has a historical record of influence having garnered some two billion believers in his great message (the gospel) and noticed that he used to spend a great number of hours in prayer and meditation mostly before dawn which starts at about 4am in the Middle East. So, prayer would be my focus for the first hour.

Then I would get to take my kids to school. Most working parents’ bond with their children in the wee hours of the morning while waking them up, preparing them and taking them to school. The little (or not so little) ones appreciate the much-coveted time spent with their precious parents. You can tell by the amazing stories they come up with on the way to school.

If you get up before the world gets busy, there is a whole lot you can do apart from bonding with family e.g., exercising. Apart from physical fitness, exercise improves blood circulation and allows you to take your mind off things to be able to plan out your day well and be more productive at work.

For those who are self-employed or running a side hustle, there is a good three hours from 5 to 8AM to set off your business.

There is a lady in my neighborhood who runs a supermarket. For as far as I remember, this supermarket opens daily, morning to midnight, and has two main employees: the owner and her middle-aged mother. The mother runs the shop from morning to around 5PM when the owner comes from work and takes over up to midnight. You can find almost any home product in that supermarket, and she checks in before reporting to work to ensure things are running well. I noticed that her children also started apprenticeship during school holidays.

In conclusion, below is an excerpt from The 5 AMClub by Robin Sharma (quickread.com):

"If you want to be at the top of your game and class yourself amongst the top 5% of the world’s elite performers, you must be willing to make commitments that the other 95% of the world aren’t willing to make. And most people are not willing to get up at 5 a.m. So, if you want a huge competitive advantage, this is a great way to get ahead!”

I may soon join the 5AM Club...