My 5 AM Power Hour
If you were to ask me what the ONE thing is you can do to change your life, I would tell you it's to have an early morning power hour.
The early morning is quiet, peaceful and uninterrupted. It is time for you and ONLY you. There are no distractions in the early morning. It’s the time when magic happens. You intentionally create time to be aware of your physical, emotional and mental self and health. One of my all time favourite mentors is Robin Sharma and he details the three parts of a successful Morning Power Hour in his book “The 5AM Club”. I highly recommend it if this concept intrigues you.
Part 1: Meditation + Thought
When my mind is still foggy with sleep, I spend about twenty minutes in contemplation and deep thought. I mediate for 10-15 minutes. I journal my gratitudes for the day and my daily, weekly, monthly and annual goals.
Use apps like Headspace or Calm for guided meditations
Buy a beautiful journal and some fancy pens or markers
Part 2: Movement
The next part of my morning is spent with physical activity. I need to move. I’m shaking off the cobwebs in my mind from the sleep and meditative space I was in. I WAKE UP in the next 20-30 minutes.
Go for a brisk walk or jog
Skip
Calisthenics
Weight training
Sprints
Part 3: Self Development
The last chunk of time (which can lead up to an hour) is self development. Brew that cup of tea or pot of coffee, friends. Find your most comfortable spot in your home and cuddle up under a blanket. Crack open a book and devote the rest of your quiet time to expanding your knowledge and awareness. I love books on personal growth and business. Some of my favourite authors over the last couple of years have been Brene Brown, Tony Robbins, Robin Sharma, Gretchen Rubin, Jenn Hatmaker, Rachel Hollis, Eckhart Tolle, Timothy Ferris, and Glennon Doyle, just to name a few.
The Morning Power Hour has been a ritual of mine for almost ten years (early mornings do come easily to me after my spending my high school years at the pool for swim practice). However, there are times I fell out of this habit and slept in until 7AM. There is nothing wrong with getting up a little later however, I recognized that the days I chose to sleep in were not as productive as the days when I rose early. I am able to set my intentions for the day and be on my game versus playing catch up when I roll out of bed with the rest of my family. {Edited during 2o20: I have been moving my morning power hour a little later to 6AM. I found that with the stress of the year, my body was craving more sleep so I listened to it and was rising feeling rested a bit later than normal.}
If I'm being totally honest though, it's not always easy. There will be mornings you wake up and think “hell, no”. You will be tempted to just roll back over and fall back asleep. The only thing keeping you from doing that is your own personal willpower….your WHY for 5AM. Let that be enough of a reason to NOT listen to that voice in your head and instead listen to the voice in your heart.
{Also, having a deliciously creamy cup of chai tea as a rewards after movement helps.}
Have I intrigued you? The concept of the Power Hour ritual at 5AM was introduced to me by Robin Sharma. His latest book, The 5 AM Club, goes into detail as to why and how to implement it. There is a magnificent sense of personal power when you are awake and accomplishing YOUR goals. As Robin states, “Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life.”
Rise early, my friends. I promise it’s worth it.