04.30 wake ups for these COVID-19 times.

Navy Seals say you should do it.

I have read the stories of successful athletes, entrepreneurs and top business people doing it.

Over the years, I have attempted to practice all of the below. 

1. Get up early
2. Get good sleep
3. Drink lots of water
4. Meditate
5. Journaling/practising gratitude
6. Exercise
7. Eat well
8. Read books

The above are the modern textbook disciplines to give you a better chance of being a rounded successful and/or effective person. However, getting up early has been the hardest one for me. 

Over the years, I have improved to wake relatively early to get exercise done before work. That tended to be a 06.00 wake up. In more recent years, children came along and I tweaked this time to a 05.20 wake up. 

However, the 04.30 wake up.....I could never justify it. It just felt a step too far. Having a night out in a restaurant or some evening drinks would become too tiring (it wouldn't happen). Extremely difficult if you should be banking on a bedtime of approx 21.00. 

However, with where we are (#stayathome, i.e. COVID-19) - for me....this was the time to try it. 

And....I have been loving it. 

I wake with approx 1.5 hours to play with before the next person in my household is likely to rise. During this time, I have got the really personal bits out of the way: meditate, journal, reading some pages of my current book (of course accompanied with a couple of cups of tea). Then I launch into my made up Yoga to get my creaking body ready to do some more vigorous exercise (weights or a run). By the time my first child arrives on the scene...it's likely to be 06.00 and I am in full exercise mode. By the time my wife rises, I am on the road to finishing up. I am officially "me me" done. I am available to listen, communicate and not have the looming stress of completing these morning rituals. Feels pretty dam good if I can be honest with you. 

I get to see the sun rising as we enter the summer months (for the deepers amongst you).

"Lockdown" has messed up our wake ups. I know this because I have spoken to friends and colleagues. People are sleeping in later and going to bed later. Some have explained to me that they are without that normal motivation spunk to put in a shift. I appreciate many of us can't fulfil their normal work duties - but it does provide us with an opportunity to research and plan new personal/work ideas projects.

In the evening....the thing that I have compromised on is Netflix. I don't watch nearly the amount of television I would normally do. It is tempting to stay up and watch some episodes of "Too hot to handle".... yes to you if your smiling. I'm instead in bed at 21.00 and falling asleep to one of my business podcasts. 

Waking up at 04.30 has been very insightful. I recommend it....try it...its the perfect time. For the first time in our lives, we won't miss out on any social activities, parties, pubs, theatre, shows etc.

I feel energetic, bouncy and feel like I'm winning the day. 

When we return to our normal way of living, it's very likely that I will return to my regular ways.....mainly for the reason of practicality.

Finally, I had to go into the office last week (essentially moving in a new Tenant to a flat) and I went to see Rino my coffee man on Kensington Church Street, Kensington. He owns a small independent coffee shop by the name of La Cafettiera. His business is currently open as takeaway status. I told him excitedly what I had been doing. He was lovely about it, because he did not say anything until I asked him. I obviously presumed he would get up early to organise his coffee shop each day - but I was not expecting his answer. I asked him..."Rino when do you rise". He smiled and replied...."03.45 my friend”.