Almost without exception, successful people start their day early. Many say they get up between 5 and 6 am. According to While Spall, the biggest predictor of success is simply having a steady routine; it cannot be ignored that many of the most successful people wake up early – as in before 6 am early.
Why do successful people get up early in the morning?
It is the time for creative productivity; it is when the best work gets done. It is time to pray, read, think, exercise, and prepare for the day ahead. It is the only way to ensure we have time for what matters most. When it’s early in the morning, it’s improbable to be interrupted because most people don’t like getting up early. No one will call you or message you, there aren’t any meetings, and there aren’t e-mails flowing in and out. It is exclusively your time.
Because there are fewer interruptions in the morning, you’re automatically more productive. You can now focus on the priorities before all the activities of a normal workday start.
My daily routine starts at 3:45 in the morning. In the first hour of my day, I start with my quiet time, spend time with the Lord, send out my daily devotions, read the Bible, pray, and worship. By 4:45, I wash, get dressed, and get ready for work. At 5:00, I have a cup of coffee and breakfast, sit, and relax. Then by 5:30, I leave home for the office and at 6:00 I will be at the office. Straight away I clear all my emails whereafter I look at my calendar and prepare for all the meetings for the day, which normally starts at 8:00. I have been doing this for years with great success. I believe that the first things we do in the morning, over time, say a lot about our true priorities.
So, what does the Bible say about getting up early in the morning?
Jesus got up while it was still dark in the morning, to pray. Mark 1:35 (ESV) And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Genesis 19:27 (ESV) And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD.
Exodus 24:4 (ESV) And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Psalm 119:147a (ESV) I rise before dawn and cry for help.
Psalm 5:3a (ESV) O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice.
Psalm 88:13 (ESV) But I, O LORD, cry to you in the morning, my prayer comes before you.
“When you have a great need, or a great calling, or a great opportunity, you rise early to meet it.” – David Mathis
I conclude with the English proverb: The early bird gets the worm, meaning being first improves the chances of success. Some opportunities are only available to the first competitors.
Have a great day.