In April 2020, I started the daily discipline of waking up at 5 am every morning. That first day, I turned back my alarm clock, prepared for a quiet evening, and informed my accountability partner of the change. And I haven’t looked back since. 5 years after locking in this daily discipline, I still hold it as one of my core self-improvement habits.
In fact, this single habit was the first domino that fell and knocked the rest down, building momentum on my personal development journey. And in this post, I want to share what I’ve learned and why you should consider waking up at 5 am too.
Why You Should Join The 5 AM Club
“4:34 AM is a reminder that discipline starts early, and success comes to those who are willing to put in the work before the sun rises”.
— Jocko Willink
Have you ever read The 5 am Club?
While I found it to be greatly exaggerated in many ways, it does make valid points about why waking up early is so powerful to your personal development. And one of its most significant claims is that starting your day at (or before) the crack of dawn is the first step to lasting self-discipline.
From personal experience, I can agree wholeheartedly.
Becoming an early riser was a gateway habit that led to even more discipline in my life, and that’s the main reason you should do it in yours.
Sure, locking in this habit will give you more time in the day. However, the real, deeper benefit comes from the fact that waking up early is a catalyst for change. It’s a signifying habit that opens the floodgates for the development of more self-discipline later on.
Key Takeaways From Waking Up At 5 AM For 5 Years
“In the morning a man walks with his whole body; in the evening, only with his legs.”
 — Ralph Waldo Emerson
After 5 years of this discipline, I’ve discovered a few new insights. These understandings have helped me in many other areas of my life, and I want you to have them.
1. Control Is A Beautiful Thing
It was a struggle when I first started this practice.
Not so much during the week as I was already used to waking up early to get to my construction job I had at the time. But more so on the weekends.
Giving up that sweet Saturday sleep-in time was hard.
However, as I forced myself out of bed every day at the sound of that 5 AM alarm, something interesting started happening…
I began to feel more in control of my actions and habits.
Instead of being ruled by the desire to stay in a cozy slumber, I began to rule over that desire for instant gratification with willpower and discipline. In short, I was gaining self-control.
2. Building Momentum Is Key
Waking up at 5 am taught me how momentum works (and that it’s easier to build than you think).
Many people have momentum working for them in the wrong direction. They sleep in, check their phones first thing in the morning, watch the news or consume social media, etc. And before they know it, their days are sluggish and uncoordinated.
Bad way to go.
However, by simply waking up earlier, you can build momentum in the opposite direction. Here’s the deal… Your life is continually moving toward a particular path; you can’t stop it, but you can direct it.
And the secret to directing it is momentum.
Waking up early solidifies and cements a better direction. This simple habit is the starting point of prioritizing productivity, self-discipline, and time to focus on your goals. As a result, it’s a game-changer once you lock it in as a staple in your daily ritual.
3. One Habit Can Change Your Entire Life
Have you ever wanted to change your life?
If you’re human, the answer is going to be yes. As a result, you’ve likely fallen into the trap of believing you need to revolutionize everything at once. There’s validity to this strategy; however, a more practical and sustainable method is to change one little degree at a time.
And waking up at 5 am—for many people—can be the catalyst for that process.
Personally, I know that was the case for me. The tiny, seemingly insignificant shift, of waking up early made it easier to make bigger shifts down the line. And it can do the same for you. Think of this habit as the bridge-builder to other better-quality habits.
Are You Committed to Waking Up At 5 AM?
Like most self-improvement habits, this is a discipline that will challenge you. But like most self-improvement habits, it will already drastically improve your life if you’re able to stay the course. For this reason, it’s worth it to dial in and integrate this practice into your daily life. And the best part is that it becomes easier the more you do it.
If you need help with your self-discipline, I’ve got you covered. Be sure to check out my ebook The Disciplined Mind to gain control over your habits, cultivate self-control, and accomplish your goals.
And remember, stay Motivated And Disciplined.
