How to wake up early and have a productive morning routine

Waking up early wasn’t always something I enjoyed, but I’ve realized how much it contributes to a productive morning routine.

For years, I tried to become a 6 a.m. riser. I used every method you can find online (on “How to wake up early”), from setting a calming alarm to forcing myself to be in bed by 8 p.m. Nothing worked. So, I decided to step back and study the routines of others.

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Many successful people, like Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Apple CEO Tim Cook, start their days before 6 a.m. I studied their routines and discovered they focus on three basic things:

1. Prioritizing a good night’s sleep.
2. Finding something to look forward to the next morning.
3. Making it part of their identity.

Why do you want to wake up early?

Before we dive into why these three things were essential for me to form the habit of waking up early, I want you to think about your “why.” It sounds cliché, I know, but you’ll never consistently wake up early just because everyone else is doing it.

The first step is understanding your reasons. The most common reason is simply wanting extra time so you’re not constantly rushing. But if you dig deeper, you’ll find a more sincere answer.

Here are some possibilities:

• You want to feel more in control of your day.
• You want to start the day in peace.
• You want to pursue a hobby, like running or writing.

Now that you know your “why,” I’m going to show you exactly what I did to become a morning person.”

How to wake up early – The basics:

Remember those three things successful people focus on to wake up early? Here’s a breakdown of each, along with how you can implement them:

1. Prioritize a good night’s sleep.

If you want to consistently wake up early, you must prioritize sleep. And no, sleeping for four hours straight doesn’t mean you’re sleeping well. You need to understand the difference between sleep quantity and sleep quality. Both are important and interconnected.

Experts suggest adults aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. While that’s a good starting point, everyone’s circadian rhythm is different, and many of us have unbalanced rhythms.

What is a circadian rhythm, and how do you balance it?

Your circadian rhythm is your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. When it’s balanced, your body recognizes nighttime and prepares for sleep, and it recognizes morning and prepares for wakefulness. When it’s unbalanced, you might feel tired during the day and energetic at night.

How can you fix it?

I’ve heard the best way to rebalance your circadian rhythm is to go camping in the woods for a few days. The natural light helps reset your system, which can be thrown off by artificial light. Camping wasn’t an option for me, so I tried a few other things:

• Having dinner earlier.
• Getting sunlight first thing in the morning.
• Setting the same bedtime every night.
• Keeping my phone away from my bed.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol before bed.
• Drinking plenty of water throughout the day but limiting fluids at night.
• Minimizing exposure to bright light in the evening (blue light-blocking glasses can help).
• Enjoying a relaxing activity before bed (reading, a face massage, or stretching).

I created a consistent routine around these activities to ensure I got enough quality sleep every night.

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2. Find something to look forward to.

Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to wake up early for a trip or to meet friends for something fun, compared to waking up for work? Unless you have an exceptionally exciting job (which, let’s be honest, is rare), it can be difficult to feel motivated to rise and shine.

When life becomes monotonous, it’s hard to feel excitement. Once I realized this, I started looking for things that would bring joy back into my life, especially in the mornings.

But before I did that, I needed to understand how I was feeling each morning. For a week, I wrote in a journal every morning, “Today, I’m feeling…” I discovered that most mornings I felt overwhelmed and drained—at 7 a.m.!

Putting a name to my feelings during the first hour of the day helped me feel better. Writing was a calming activity, a way to express what I often couldn’t put into words. It was liberating, and it became something I looked forward to doing first thing in the morning. Writing became my non-negotiable morning ritual.

Now, it’s your turn:

• Every morning, take a few minutes to answer this question: “How am I feeling today?”
• Brainstorm ideas on how to shift that feeling.

Here are a few activities you can try to improve your mornings:

Are you feeling…?	Try this…
Overwhelmed	Journaling, Meditation (even 5 minutes), Prioritize 3 tasks for the day
Stressed	Gentle stretching, Deep breathing exercises, Listening to calming music
Anxious/Fearful	Mindfulness meditation, Talking to a trusted friend or family member, Nature walk
Unmotivated/Drained	Listen to upbeat music, Exercise (even a short walk), Set a small, achievable goal for the morning
Grumpy/Irritable	Practice gratitude (write down 3 things you’re grateful for), Enjoy a warm beverage (tea, coffee), Do something you enjoy (read, listen to a podcast)
Lonely	Connect with a loved one (call, text), Engage in a social activity online, Volunteer (even virtually)

If you already have a hobby you enjoy, find a way to incorporate it into your morning routine.

3. Make it part of your identity.

When creating new habits (like waking up early), it helps tremendously to make them part of your identity. You can try all the tips and tricks in the world, but if you don’t believe you’re the kind of person who wakes up early, you’ll struggle.

When I studied successful people and listened to their interviews, I noticed a pattern.

They often said things like, “I like to wake up early,” “I’m a morning person,” or “I enjoy quiet mornings.” They say this because they genuinely are morning people and enjoy starting their days early. Even if you don’t feel the same way yet, you can train your brain to believe it.

After I learned this, I started saying, “I like to wake up early.” Later, I added statements like, “I’m a morning person,” “I wake up at 6 a.m. every day,” and “I like to go to bed early.”

These weren’t entirely true at first, but as I repeated them, I started convincing myself and showing others who I was (or who I was becoming). People around me began to understand that I prefer to be home early, so I started eating dinner earlier and going to bed earlier, too.

Here’s how you can do it:

• Pick two or three affirmations.
• Repeat them in your mind three times each morning.
• Use them when talking to others (at home, at work, etc.).

You might be thinking, “This feels like lying because I don’t do or enjoy any of those things right now.” But if you truly want to change your days for the better (which you do, since you’re reading this!), then see this exercise as creating your future best self.

Your thoughts are powerful; you create what you think. Instead of repeating what you don’t want (e.g., “I’m a lazy person” or “I’m always late”), change the narrative and focus on what you do want.

Here are 10 affirmations to help you see yourself as a person who wakes up early every morning:

1. I am a morning person, and I embrace the energy and opportunities that each new day brings.
2. I wake up easily and naturally, feeling refreshed and ready to start my day.
3. I am grateful for the quiet moments of the morning, which allow me to focus and set my intentions.
4. Waking up early allows me to be productive and accomplish my goals.
5. I choose to prioritize sleep and create a restful environment for myself.
6. I am consistent with my morning routine, and it sets a positive tone for my entire day.
7. I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes from starting my day early.
8. I am in control of my mornings, and I use this time wisely.
9. I am becoming the best version of myself by embracing the power of early mornings.
10. I radiate energy and positivity throughout my day, thanks to my early morning routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

This post covered some of the most effective ways to readjust your life and wake up early every day. When you wake up early, you open the door to a productive morning routine. You create extra time in your day that you wouldn’t otherwise have, increasing your chances of starting or finishing projects, spending more time with family, and investing in yourself.

Don’t overlook the power of giving yourself even a few extra minutes in the morning. It truly can change your life.

Now, I’d love to hear from you! What are your biggest challenges when it comes to waking up early? Or, if you’re already a morning person, what are your favorite tips and tricks? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And if you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends and family – you might just help them transform their mornings too!

Want to Learn More? Check These Out!

How to wake up at 5 am without feeling tired
How to sleep better at night naturally (7 healthy sleep habits)
The healthiest things to do in the morning (8 tips for a working woman)
How to stop checking your phone in the morning (and what to do instead)
I quit social media two months ago and it changed my life. Here are 5 steps you can take to do the same.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.